Called to the Ministry [Paperback]

Edmund P. Clowney (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: P & R Publishing (June 1, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875521444
• ISBN-13: 978-0875521442
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #563,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Clergy > Pastoral Counseling

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A vital book, June 30, 2000

By 

Brian Douglas (Brighton, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Called to the Ministry (Paperback)

This book is essential for anyone who is even considering entering the ministry. Clowney asserts that the call of God is both distinctive and clear, dispelling the idea so common today that a calling is some emotional feeling: that a person might be called into some unknown service of the Lord, but one cannot be sure. Clowney devalues such an argument. He also describes the calling to the ministry as personal - we bear God's name and He calls us by our own in love - and as an occupation of service. Clowney approaches the whole subject by an entirely different route than most writers in today's church do. He does not write from sentiment or idealism, but rather portrays things as they are, as they are described in the scriptures. This is a book that everyone who is currently in the ministry or is considering entering it should read. The person who does will be given an enlightenment and direction that few other books today offer.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Valuable, March 13, 2009

By 

Nathan P Shorb "Nate" (Bethlehem, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Called to the Ministry (Paperback)

Too many Christians are asserting that God's calling is an emotional experience or a really strong hunch, a subjective claim that can't be refuted by a fellow Christian. Furthermore, many young people feel the need to figure out exactly what God wants them to do before they act, and they drive themselves into a paralyzed depression in the process. A calling is neither of these.

Clowney takes the mystery out of the idea. What you're gifted in, you're called for, and what you're called for, you're gifted in. Start serving and fellowshipping where you are, and seize the opportunities that come. I greatly appreciated his straight-forward and Biblical approach to the idea of a calling.

I am a 25 year-old who has been considering a call to full-time ministry in recent years. I've been fed a lot of crap about what a "calling" is and how one senses it, none of which has been helpful, but has rather served to confuse and complicate matters. This book is the most helpful, valuable, and sensible piece of guidance I've been given.

It is not an easy read to say the least. Clowney's style is convoluted at times and tough to get through. I ended up reading each chapter twice in a row in order to comprehend and retain everything he was saying.

But the truths he conveys are worth the work, and it's a worthwhile and necessary endeavor before devoting your life to something as crazy as full time ministry.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Useful Primer, November 10, 2005

By 

Baroque Norseman (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Called to the Ministry (Paperback)

In attempting to find divine revelation to bolster support for the greatest vocation in the world, clear guidance from other sources is greatly appreciated. Dr. Clowney has done the church another great service in Called to Ministry. A true, Christian calling must come from God himself. On one hand the Lord calls every Christian and on a more narrow level he calls ministers to the gospel. A Christian should never seek the ministry--he should not presume God's call to ministry--if he has not been called by God as a Christian. Clowney notes, "Don't seek the ministry to save your soul...A man cannot earn his salvation by preaching that salvation cannot be earned" (5; a parenthetical citations are from the book). Furthermore, all Christians are to be servants of God in the broadest sense. As a Christian exercises his gifts in the context of the Church, he will--if he is called to ministry--have those gifts confirmed by the corporate body of Christ.


We are called by name by God. Speaking of old testament priests and drawing upon Numbers 6:27 ("So shall they put my name upon them; and I will bless them.") Clowney asks the reader if he indeed has God name upon him (4). At its most basic level Clowney applies this to the ministry of the New Covenant where God writes his name on our hearts. Aside from a few quasi-sentimental Our names, so argues Clowney, have meaning on the heavenly level. We are known by our God-given names. We live in terms of those names. We are known to others by those names.

Not only are we called by name, we are called by name to God's service. God does not give his people a detailed outline of his future dealings with them, but he does give them guidelines, which is all they need to know. Deuteronomy 29:29 states "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." Rather than giving us the future explained, God has arranged his ministers to perform like those in an orchestra. Having been given their instructions, they are to implement his work.

The goal of this implementation--this obedience--is the salvation of souls within the Kingdom of God. While we are called from darkness and set as lights in the darkness (20), our light should progressively shine as to drive away the darkness, just as Christ's light shone (John 1:5). A kingdom-oriented approach provides the necessary balance to work towards the redemption of all creation while at the same time avoiding entanglements in "culture wars."

Overall this book served its primary purpose--priming future pastors for ministry. It is not a stand alone book. It must be supplemented with other, more substantial works. It is short and can be read in one sitting. I found mine for about $2. I don't recommend paying above five dollars for it.