Reclaiming Your Sense of Calling: Why Pastors Should Double-Down on Their Calling This New Year
By WJ de Kock, ThD
Educational Consultant to Partners in Ministry
Professor of Practical Theology at Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University
8 minute read
As the calendar flips to another year, pastors around the globe find themselves poised between the bright promise of new beginnings and the weight of ongoing pastoral challenges. A new year doesn’t just demand resolutions—it calls for a renewed sense of calling. Because, let’s be honest, in a culture full of noise, self-doubt, and Netflix binge temptations, pastors need more than caffeine and calendar apps to endure. They need conviction—a steadfast sense of, "This is why I’m here." Here’s why rediscovering that sense of divine calling can turn 2025 into a year full of purpose and passion (and maybe fewer existential crises).
Once upon a time, being a pastor meant you were on a divine mission that everyone respected—even feared a little. You were seen as the spiritual Yoda of your community, dispensing wisdom and wielding an invisible "holy" light-saber. But the concept of vocation (call it "job with a purpose") has undergone major renovations. Back in the 16th century, Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformers took vocation out of the holy bubble wrap. They argued that every person—whether swinging a hammer, raising kids, or writing sermons—was part of God’s grand plan. Cue the "Aha!" moment: pastors weren’t just priests with robes; they were meant to engage with the larger world in meaningful ways. Fast forward to today, and the idea of vocation is... let’s face it, a bit battered. Between secularism, consumerism, and TikTok-induced attention spans, many pastors struggle to hold onto their calling when ministry feels more like a treadmill than a sacred adventure.
When the Going Gets Tough, The Called Keep Going
Let’s not sugar-coat it: being a pastor in the 21st century can feel like trying to herd cats during a thunderstorm. Society has become more fragmented, the role of the local church and pastor has become more complex and less influential.
• Modern culture isn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for divine inspiration. Pastors can feel like they’re offering water to people who don’t even realize they’re thirsty.
• Success is now measured in likes, follows, and dollars. Even pastors can fall into the trap of viewing ministry as a means to "build a platform" instead of a sacred journey.
• Rapid societal changes—from evolving family dynamics to AI-assisted everything—can make keeping up feel impossible. And oh, the irony, when the pastor preaching about Sabbath rest hasn’t had a true day off in three years.
And let’s not forget dwindling trust in institutions. Being a pastor today can feel less like leading with authority and more like trying to convince sceptics you’re not just another headline waiting to happen.
Back to the Basics: Reclaiming the Heart of Vocation
So where's the lifeline? It's in the same place it's always been: a return to the core theology of vocation. Pastors must recentre themselves on the foundational understanding that their calling is not just a profession, but a divine purpose bestowed upon them by God. It's time for pastors to dust off their "why" – to rediscover the deeper reasons and sacred motivations that led them to this path of service in the first place. By reconnecting with that profound sense of calling, pastors can let it light the way forward, guiding them through the challenges and complexities of modern ministry. This grounding in vocation provides a steady anchor, reminding them that their work is not merely a job, but a holy endeavor to which they have been entrusted. With that clarity of purpose, pastors can navigate the turbulent waters of contemporary culture with a renewed sense of passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the timeless call placed upon their lives.
We should take a page straight from the reformers' playbook. Just as Luther and Calvin reclaimed vocation as a sacred act for all believers, pastors must reclaim their own sense of divine calling. By remembering that their role is not merely a career, but a consecrated commission, to serve God in all spaces—whether preaching a sermon, sharing a meal, or navigating a tough Zoom meeting. The world isn’t split into churchy stuff over here and "real life" over there.
Lead With Vision, Not Validation
Authentic leaders are not captivated by the allure of applause and accolades. Instead, they are driven by a profound sense of purpose, humbly following the calling placed upon their lives. The church needs pastors who lead with unwavering integrity, burning passion, and a clear, God-given vision—not merely chasing numerical metrics or envying the perceived success of other churches. These leaders understand that true influence is not measured by the size of their platform, but by the depth of their character and the transformative impact they have on their congregations and communities.
Need a Pep Talk? The Bible’s Got You Covered
The good news? You’re in excellent company when it comes to navigating life’s twists and turns for the sake of a calling. The Bible is basically a highlight reel of people (just like you) who stepped into the unknown with nothing but raw faith and God’s nudge:
Abraham: Left home for a promise he couldn’t see. Faith, think road trip with no map.
Isaiah and Jeremiah: Showed up, spoke up, and kept going even when people rolled their eyes. That’s grit.
Jesus’ disciples: Said goodbye to fishing nets and hello to unpredictable adventures.
Paul: Went from superstar antagonist to champion apostle. Proof it’s never too late for God to flip your script.
The common thread woven through all these biblical narratives is that vocation was not about pursuing personal comfort or convenience, but rather about cultivating an unwavering obedience and steadfast trust in God's leading. Stepping into one's calling was seldom about having a crystal-clear vision of the future; rather, it demanded a posture of faithful responsiveness, taking the next step forward even when the path ahead remained shrouded in uncertainty and obscurity. These stories underscore the reality that true vocation is not about finding a perfectly mapped-out route, but about embracing the unpredictable journey of obedience and trust in the divine purpose that has been entrusted to us.
Jump In: Calling as a Journey
Here's the reality: vocation isn't a fleeting, social media-worthy "aha" moment. Rather, it's an ongoing, unpredictable, and profoundly transformative journey with God. This sacred calling demands three essential elements:
Conversion – A constant re-turning of your heart to God’s purpose.
Collaboration – A partnership with the Divine to bring that purpose to life.
Resilience – A determination to keep moving forward, even when ministry feels less like green pastures and more like a desert trek.
When pastors reignite their sense of calling, they do more than just find personal fulfilment. They inspire their congregations to find their calling, creating ripple effects of faith, action, and transformation.
A Fresh Start for the Shepherds
This year, let’s flip the script. Instead of coasting into 2025 on autopilot, lean into your calling like never before. Vocation isn’t just a task—it’s a divine invitation to live and lead with purpose. When pastors reawaken to their “why,” churches become places of contagious faith, communities thrive, and lives are forever changed. And yes, remember to take a breather here and there. Even shepherds need to rest. The world doesn’t need pastors who just get the job done—it needs pastors who are unapologetically and wholeheartedly called.