Cultivating a Culture of Call: A Collision, Not a Journey

By Rev. Dee Dee Azhikakath, elder in the Desert Southwest Conference

A couple of hours from my family’s home in India is a place called Kanyakumari. It is the only place in the world where three separate bodies of salt water come together. You can see where the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean converge. It is a sight to behold. These bodies of water have different temperatures and densities. The currents that bring them together do not function as one. They collide in a beautiful but powerful way. Spectators on shore can watch the unique waves and see the separate colors of water blending in artistic patterns. These three separate bodies of water at this one point naturally become one.

I serve as an ordained elder in the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church. In my position as the registrar for the Board of Ordained Ministry, the credentialing body in the annual conference, I often talk about the process for people to become pastors in the United Methodist Church, a process that is called “candidacy.” As pastors reflect on that process, many use a journey metaphor: “This path will require this type of training and work. This route will guide you toward this outcome. I am here to walk with you as you discern.”  Over the years, I have found the journey image unhelpful. It felt as if we were asking candidates and leaders in ministry to pick a highway that never intersected with another, separated from each other but serving a God that unites us.

I now use the imagery of the colliding seas of Kanyakumari as a metaphor for how we nurture God’s call and equip leaders in our conference. Yes, you read that right: colliding seas in the Desert Southwest.

Discerning God’s Call Is an Act of Discipleship

Over the last several years, I've noticed that God’s call upon our leaders often evolves, swirls, and moves between leadership roles. At one time, a young candidate in ministry might have felt a call to ministry at a church camp or campus ministry, attended a seminary, and then proceeded to ordination. Now, I see candidates in ministry who might serve as a layperson on the staff at a church or conference extension ministry for a few years.  A candidate might serve as a local pastor while attending seminary online (at one of our United Methodist seminaries). The candidate might serve for a few years as a local pastor after graduation before applying for provisional membership. Some people attend seminary and find themselves back on staff as laypeople, confident that is where God has called them. It is a flow between training and opportunities and sometimes between specialized, licensed, and ordained ministries.

Every Christian is called to discipleship. We know this through the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. In 2 Timothy 2:1–2, Paul does not instruct Timothy to teach only those who might become ordained clergy.  The “faithful people” are not limited to clergy. Rather, it is the task of all faithful people who call themselves Christian to encourage one another and help lead others to discipleship. God calls each follower of Christ to be part of the body of Christ in ministry to one another and the world.

In our conference, we have an annual event called “Orientation to Ministry.” It is mandated by the Book of Discipline as a requirement to become a certified candidate.  This year, in addition to declared and inquiring candidates who attended, licensed local pastors attended, exploring a call to serve. Some inquiring candidates attended, thinking that they were being called to licensed ministries but left seeking information on specialized ministry and certified lay ministries. Being called by God is being open to the flow of where God might call you.

A call to discipleship comes from God. Through the prevenient, sanctifying, and perfecting grace of God, we can answer it. After this step, many churches ask, “Now what? How do we create a culture of call in our church where people can explore leadership opportunities, certified ministries, and calls to ordination?”

Every Christian is called to discipleship… [I]t is the task of all the faithful people who call themselves Christian to encourage one another and help lead them to discipleship. God calls each follower of Christ to be part of the body of Christ in ministry to one another and the world.

The Role of Questions in the Adventure of Discernment

Discernment of the call to ministry does not happen as naturally as one might hope. It is intentional and comes with great effort. In the Great Plains Conference, we worked on a campaign to help churches and clergy intentionally create a culture of call: “Raise the Question.” We encouraged people to “Ask, Identify, Preach.”  We challenged clergy to ask people in their congregation where God might be calling them.  Clergy should identify leaders in the church and affirm where they see God’s gifts working through them for the church and in the world. Finally, we encouraged clergy to preach on their call story. There is a reason the Bible illustrates the call stories of the prophets and disciples. When we share our call stories with others, people can better understand their calling.

Just like seas converging, following God’s call can be a wild adventure. It’s a “yes” followed by a whole lot of unknown, swirly, crashing, powerful beauty.  Creating a culture of call in your church means you know where to direct people when they are ready for more. Pastors and leaders in the church should know whom to contact in their conference if someone is feeling called to be a certified lay minister or to a specialized ministry such as Christian education. They should know the name of the conference lay leader and the chair of the board of ordained ministry and/or staff person. These leaders can help someone follow the call God is nudging them toward.  Make a list of ministry leaders in your area. Get ready for someone in the congregation to say, “Yes, Lord. Here I am.”

Echoing Martin Luther’s stance on the priesthood of all believers, John Wesley believed that God called all those in the church to help carry out the mission and ministry of the church.  We must create an environment where God’s call can grow – for those called to a ministry set apart (like ordination) and for those who feel called for leadership roles within the church and community.

God’s call is not stationary. Answering the call should not be isolated. As we collide together in discipleship, may we always be open to the power and beauty of God’s call now and God’s call next.

Reflection Questions

• What are your thoughts about the image of three unique expressions of the same thing colliding to become something new?
• When have you felt a stirring in your heart, mind, or body? Where did you sense that it may be God?
• How do you understand God’s call in your life as a disciple? How does it impact the way that you understand others who have a call of some sort?
• Check out this resource for the “Raise the Question” initiative mentioned above.

About the Author

Rev. Dee Dee Azhikakath is an ordained elder in the Desert Southwest Annual Conference, serving as the Conference Candidacy Coordinator and Board of Ordained Ministry Registrar.  She has been appointed to churches in England and Arizona and as the Director of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Arizona.