What Does It Mean to Be “Called” into Leadership?

There are key non-negotiable principles that are made clear throughout the Bible to which leaders of churches and other ministries should adhere to be effective leaders. While the same principles could be used by leaders within secular organizations, the Bible specifically provides guidance for leaders who seek to advance God’s kingdom and honor and enhance His reputation. One of the main aspects of leadership made evident throughout the Bible is that individuals are called into leadership. Let’s learn more about this concept of being called. 

The calling of leadership

You may have often heard the expression, or expressed it yourself, that God has put or laid on the heart of individuals a burden or desire to lead. There is a sense that God wants individuals to become leaders, and that it is not just individuals’ choices to make. There are generally two parts to this calling:

• The actual belief that God wants an individual to lead, direct or minister to people, and
• the specific context, community, or organization which the individual will lead. 

In other words, individuals are called to lead in specific contexts because God equips them to meet the needs of a specific community which He intends for them to lead.

Covenant leadership roles in the Old Testament

This concept of “God’s hand upon someone” to complete a unique and specific task within a specific context (i.e., a special enablement or gifting) is made evident throughout the Old Testament via key roles that represented God’s covenant with the Israelites. There were three key roles which each had a sacred and special calling with a distinct purpose. These roles were prophet, priest, and king as shown in this interactive image. 

Select the information icons to read more about each Old Testament leadership role.

A calling is therefore a covenant process with God. Later in the New Testament, we see these specific covenant leadership roles being mirrored when leaders of the early church were given spiritual gifts specifically and uniquely to be used in specific communities (e.g., apostles, prophets, healers).

How “being called” may look

Divine calling by God can look different in various contexts. Some callings can be sudden and quite unexpected and invasive (e.g., with Jeremiah in the Old Testament and Paul in New Testament times). Other biblical leaders recognize their calling early in life and are nurtured and developed into leadership by the standing leadership of a community (e.g., Samuel in the Old Testament and Timothy in the New Testament). Regardless of the “how” of the calling, it is clear that the calling is often what sustains leaders throughout their ministry. As Jeremiah notes in Jeremiah 20:8–9, when he wants to give up his ministry, it is the call of God to preach burning in him that keeps him proclaiming God’s Word. In some ways, therefore, being a ministry leader is not a choice but is rather God choosing individuals to accomplish certain tasks. When individuals try to run away from their calling (e.g., Jonah running and ending up in the belly of a great fish), God finds a way to reel them back in!