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The Church’s Role in Affirming the Call — How God Uses His People

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 hesitate to affirm it.

This final installment of our three-week series addresses one of the most neglected—but biblically mandated—elements of pastoral calling: the church’s responsibility to affirm, test, recognize, and send those whom God is calling. 


1. God Speaks to His Church About Whom He Calls

Scripture never portrays calling as a private spiritual revelation alone. It always involves the community of believers.

Consider Acts 13:2–3:

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

Notice the partnership:

  • God calls.

  • The church hears.

  • The church responds.

  • The church confirms.

  • The church sends.

Paul and Barnabas were not self-sent.
They were church-sent.

In a prophetic sense, the Spirit still speaks through His church today. When someone is called by God, the church (especially godly leaders) will feel a resonance—an internal confirmation—not because of emotion, but because the Spirit testifies in unity.

Calling is not merely personal.
It is corporate, communal, and confirmed.


2. The Church Tests the Calling, Not Just Celebrates It

Many churches have a harmful habit of prematurely elevating excited volunteers into leadership simply because they “feel called.” But Scripture never instructs leaders to rush anyone into ministry.

1 Timothy 3 begins with desire, but continues with testing:

“Let them also be tested first; then let them serve…”
— 1 Timothy 3:10

The early church took testing seriously:

  • Paul was mentored and examined before being sent.

  • Timothy was discipled and observed over years.

  • Elders were appointed only after lengthy evaluation.

  • Character was proven long before titles were given.

Testing is not punishment.
Testing is protection.

It protects:

  • the individual from being crushed by premature responsibility

  • the church from unqualified leadership

  • the Gospel from misrepresentation

  • the community from spiritual harm

A calling that cannot endure testing is a calling that cannot endure ministry.


3. The Church Affirms Calling Primarily Through Character, Not Charisma

The modern church often values giftedness over godliness. But Scripture flips the priority:

Character first.
Calling second.
Competency third.

The biblical qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 emphasize:

  • moral integrity

  • sexual purity

  • faithfulness at home

  • emotional maturity

  • humility

  • generosity

  • hospitality

  • gentleness

  • sincerity

  • sound doctrine

  • spiritual discipline

These qualifications are not optional extras.
They are God’s non-negotiable standard for shepherds.

A church does not affirm someone because they preach well, lead well, or inspire crowds. It affirms someone when their life reflects Jesus consistently, privately, and publicly.

Many churches have been damaged—not by people who lacked gifting, but by people who lacked character.

The church’s role is not to affirm talent; it is to affirm Christlikeness.


4. The Church Recognizes Calling by Observing Fruit Before Assigning a Title

Jesus taught us:

“You will know them by their fruits.”
— Matthew 7:20

Before a church affirms someone as a pastor, it should look for evidence:

1. Are people spiritually growing under this person’s influence?

Even without a formal position?

2. Do they shepherd naturally?

Do people turn to them for comfort, wisdom, prayer, or guidance?

3. Are they faithful in small assignments?

A true shepherd does not wait for a title to act like a shepherd.

4. Do they build unity or stir drama?

5. Do they demonstrate spiritual authority without demanding it?

6. Do people feel safe with them?

Emotionally, spiritually, and relationally?

Church leaders should watch for these signs long before affirmation is even considered. Fruit is the evidence of calling.

No fruit, no affirmation.


5. The Church Helps Discern Motives Behind the Desire to Lead

Even sincere believers can mistake personal desires for God’s call.
This is where spiritual leaders must step in with grace and honesty.

Some common unhealthy motives:

  • wanting a platform

  • needing affirmation

  • longing for significance

  • escaping personal problems

  • equating ministry with identity

  • following family expectations

  • reacting to past hurts

A wise church gently tests motives, not to shame but to shepherd. Motive matters because ministry has a way of exposing the heart. If the desire for ministry is rooted in insecurity, ambition, or unresolved wounds, the pressures of pastoral life will magnify those issues—not heal them.

The church’s responsibility is not to rubber-stamp anyone’s passion but to discern whether the desire is born of the Spirit or born of the soul.


6. The Church Creates Environments Where Calling Can Be Seen and Cultivated

Churches cannot affirm what they have not developed. If churches want pastors to emerge from their midst, they must be intentional.

Ways churches cultivate calling:

  • leadership pipelines

  • pastoral mentorship

  • teaching opportunities

  • ministry apprenticeships

  • discipleship environments

  • prayer gatherings

  • theological training

  • character development spaces

  • exposure to missions and outreach

  • volunteer leadership roles

  • opportunities to preach, teach, or lead small groups

A called leader will grow with or without a system.
But a healthy church will not leave formation to chance.

Churches must become greenhouses for pastoral calling—places where the seeds of calling take root, grow, mature, and bear fruit.


7. The Church Confirms Calling Through Prayer, Fasting, and the Holy Spirit’s Unity

Acts 13 gives us the model:

  • the church prayed

  • the church fasted

  • the Spirit spoke

  • the people obeyed

  • the leaders laid hands

  • the church sent them out

The laying on of hands is not a religious formality.
It is an act of spiritual recognition.

It is the church saying:

“We see God’s hand on you.”
“We agree with the Spirit’s work in you.”
“We place our blessing behind your assignment.”
“We will support you as you go.”

True affirmation produces unity and peace among leaders and the congregation.
False affirmation produces tension, confusion, and division.

God’s Spirit never affirms what God’s Word disqualifies.


8. The Church Sends the Called—Not Holds Them Back, Not Pushes Them Forward

A healthy church does not cling tightly to gifted leaders as if they are possessions.
Nor does it shove unprepared leaders into positions prematurely.

A healthy church sends when God says send.

When the Spirit spoke in Acts 13, the church did not protest.
They didn’t say, “But we need Paul and Barnabas here!”
They released them.

This is one of the great weaknesses of many small churches today:
they hold on too tightly to their best leaders.

Fear of losing talent can keep a called pastor from fulfilling God’s assignment.

Conversely, some churches push unready leaders into roles out of desperation or lack of volunteers—placing them in positions their character cannot sustain.

The church’s role is not to cling or to push.
It is to discern and send.


9. The Church Provides Ongoing Accountability, Support, and Covering

Affirmation is not the end—it is the beginning.

Pastors need:

  • spiritual covering

  • relational support

  • accountability

  • encouragement

  • correction

  • mentoring

  • prayer

  • community

Pastoral ministry is too heavy to carry alone. Even Paul returned regularly to the churches that sent him. Every pastor is strengthened by a healthy sending church that remains a spiritual home base.

Affirmation without ongoing support is abandonment.
Sending without covering is negligence.

Churches must not only affirm the call—they must shepherd the called.


10. The Called and the Church Must Walk in Unity for God’s Call to Flourish

Pastoral calling is a sacred partnership:

  • God calls.

  • The individual discerns.

  • The church tests, affirms, and sends.

For pastoral leadership to flourish:

  • the called must submit to the church

  • the church must honor the Spirit

  • leaders must listen to wise counsel

  • the congregation must celebrate God’s work

  • the church must develop future pastors intentionally

When these elements align, the church becomes a sending center—not a storage unit—and the kingdom expands.


God Uses His Church to Confirm Whom He Has Called

The call of God is holy.
It is weighty.
It is costly.
It is joyful.
And it is never private.

If God has called someone:

  • the church will see it

  • the church will test it

  • the church will affirm it

  • the church will send them

  • the church will support them

Pastoral calling is not a one-person story. It is a church story. A kingdom story. A Holy Spirit story.

As you shepherd your congregation, mentor emerging leaders, or walk with someone wrestling with calling, do not overlook the vital role the church must play.

God calls individuals.
But God uses His people to confirm His call.

This is His design.
This is His wisdom.
And this is how His kingdom advances.




Pastor if you are feeling stretched, discouraged, or just in need of a little guidance, we want you to know—you don’t have to do this alone. At Small Church Guys, we exist to help pastors and churches stay in the game and lead in a healthy, sustainable way. Whether you need a listening ear, practical resources, or leadership support, we’re here for you. Call or message us anytime—we’d be honored to walk alongside you.


Send us a message; we're eager to talk with you!

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