There are few things in ministry more personally rewarding than helping someone discover their calling. The joy and sense of “rightness” they feel is infectious, encouraging and motivating. For all of us, our satisfaction in life is directly linked to the degree to which we fulfill our calling:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
How to help people discover their calling
How can you have an intentional conversation with someone to help them discover their calling? First, see the two previous blog entries on helping people identify their spiritual gifts and discern their passions. With that information in hand, start taking a look at a person’s “motivational pattern.”
A motivational pattern is what God has made a person to do, given to them from birth. All people have a motivational pattern. This pattern can be determined by looking back at a person’s life story to identify common threads and themes.
When I was quite young, I was given a chemistry set. I loved that chemistry set. I loved trying to experiment, try new things, figure things out, and see what worked. I use those same skills, gifts and passions in my work with ministry organizations. What makes them tick? What’s working? What’s not? How could it be improved? What if I do X? How could I do it differently? What would happen then? What more could I do if I had some additional chemicals or tools? The series of questions is endless in my mind. Yet I know many people do not share that particular motivational pattern.
My own story—with my gifts, skills, passions, and motivations—yielded significant clues to point me toward my eventual calling. A calling is a specific contribution that God wants you to make for his kingdom in light of your motivation pattern, spiritual gifts, passion, temperament and life situation.
A calling is a specific contribution that God wants you to make for his kingdom in light of your motivation pattern, spiritual gifts, passion, temperament and life situation. Click To TweetCalling aligns with reality
Keep in mind that people’s ministry callings need to be in alignment with their real life situations. Unrealistic or undoable callings only cause frustration and disappointment. Help people take the following items into consideration as they determine their calling:
- spiritual maturity
- administrative skill level
- temperament
- season of life
- time schedule
- family commitments
Discovery unfolds through action
Then walk alongside people as they process to discover their calling. Listen, reflect back what you are hearing, encourage them to examine their heart and seek the Lord, suggest ways to getting involved to try things out and see how they fit. A person doesn’t need to understand their entire life’s calling before beginning it. Doing is part of learning and discovery. Encourage people to get involved at their level of maturity and giftedness. From there, they can develop a plan for ongoing growth and development. Eventually, calling will become more clear as we move closer toward it.
A person doesn’t need to understand their entire life’s calling before beginning it. Doing is part of learning and discovery. Encourage people to get involved at their level of maturity and giftedness. Click To TweetResources
Becoming Barnabas– Becoming Barnabas focuses on how can you serve as a Barnabas—a son or daughter of encouragement. It will show you a simple way to disciple, develop, and support those around you. A relational coaching investment can lead to a powerful impact on the church and on the surrounding community!
Barnabas Ministry Training– Can you imagine a team of people whose purpose is to help others find their passion and take the best next step to live into it? Modeled after Barnabas and his biblical example of the power of encouragement, coaching is an invaluable tool to help your people and ministries flourish in their unique callings and functions within the church and the community. Barnabas Ministry Training is a turnkey kit for developing quality ministry coaches.
Calling: Focused Ministry Coaching Guide with Storyboard– This downloadable set will help you provide individuals with a framework that will help them discover the unique contribution they can bring to a local ministry and beyond.