Jesse Reimers

God never calls anyone into pastoral ministry in isolation. The call may begin privately—in prayer, in Scripture, in conviction—but it is always confirmed publicly through the local church. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s pattern is unmistakably consistent: God calls. God forms. God tests. And God’s people affirm. Pastoral calling is never self-appointed, self-anointed, or self-promoted. God does not raise up lone wolves, independent operators, or spiritual entrepreneurs who exist outside the authority and discernment of the body of Christ. The church is not merely a spectator in the calling; it is an essential participant in God’s process. As someone who has spent decades pastoring, developing leaders, coaching ministry teams, and observing the rise and fall of many ministries, I have learned this truth firsthand: when a calling is real, the church will see it, affirm it, and eventually send it. When a calling is forced, the fruit will reveal its weakness, and the church will...

If defining the call gives us a biblical foundation, discerning the call is where the struggle truly begins. Many believers—especially those who grew up in church or have served faithfully—wrestle with the question: “How do I know if God is calling me into pastoral ministry?” It’s a question every pastor should ask, and every aspiring leader must answer honestly. Some feel drawn to ministry because they love the Bible, or leadership, or helping people. Others feel a desire to compensate for past pain or prove themselves to God. Some want purpose. Some want impact. Some simply want to do something meaningful with their lives. But the call of God is not discovered through emotional impulse or personal ambition. It is discerned through the Spirit’s work, Scripture’s clarity, the church’s affirmation, and the evidence of God’s grace in a person’s life. As someone who has spent more than twenty years coaching and developing leaders—and who has walked through my own seasons of questioning...

There are few subjects more misunderstood in the modern church than the call to pastoral ministry . For many, “calling” has become a vague spiritual feeling, a personal dream, or something someone “just knows deep down.” But Scripture paints a very different picture. God’s call is not sentimental, self-selected, or rooted in personal preference. It is holy , weighty , divine , and always aligned with His purposes for His people. As someone who has spent more than two decades in ministry—preaching, mentoring, training, and walking with pastors—and who has stepped away and returned to spiritual leadership with fresh clarity, I have learned this firsthand: God’s call is not casual. It is costly. And yet, when He truly calls, there is nothing more life-giving or joy-producing than obeying Him. This first post in our series seeks to define the call as Scripture defines it—not as culture, ambition, insecurity, or romanticism defines it. If future pastors are to discern God’s voice, they mu...