I’ve always found sitting and watching church to be boring (whether on TV or in person). However, I’ve found being actively involved in a meeting of Christians ministering to one another as prompted by the Spirit to be one of the most exciting things I’ve ever participated in.  One of the things that keep us from participating in church is the idea of a special calling into ministry (or a call to preach).

That concept sees two groups of Christ-followers — the called and the uncalled (clergy and laity).   The called conduct church meetings and the uncalled sit and watch.  However, when Christians are trained to always listen to men, how will we “hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches”?

Here are a few quotations that refute that concept and make the point that God’s call is to all:

“All Christians are called into ministry because all Christians have spiritual gifts that are to be employed (used) for service to the body of Christ (1 Peter 4:10).” –Lisa Robinson

“‘Not called!’ did you say?  ‘Not heard the call,’ I think you should say.”  —William Booth

“I do not consecrate myself to be a missionary or a preacher. I consecrate myself to God to do His will where I am, be it in school, office, or kitchen, or wherever He may, in His wisdom, send me.” ― Watchman Nee

“There is no such thing as a regular person in the kingdom of God. There are only ministers. 1 Peter 4:11 puts it like this; after Peter described regular activities like loving each other deeply and offering hospitality: ‘Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.’ That’s the key word: each. as in, every single one. not just professional Christians. We are all called, every single one of us.” –Michael Kelley

“To be a follower of Jesus means following him in action, not just reading the handbook about the theory.” –Graham Cray

“The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods, but through people. He does not come on machinery, but on people. He does not anoint plans, but people — people of prayer.” ― E.M. Bounds

“Jesus never told us to make converts – He told us to make disciples.” –Michael Marshall