The New Holy Orders and the Chaos of Calling

We need to talk about calling. It feels as though the word "calling" has taken on a life of its own in modern Christian circles, often detached from its biblical roots and reshaped into a subjective, feelings-based justification for ministry. On one hand, people claim to be “called” by God into a vocation or mission, they position themselves in a position beyond scrutiny—one of authority where questioning of their decision or desires can feel like a challenge God himself. On the other hand, those convinced (or told) that God has indeed “called” or commanded them onto this path, may end up feeling trapped them by their calling, burdened with guilt at the thought of leaving, as if stepping away would mean abandoning God’s will. At best it’s an honest attempt to legitimize a genuine feeling to serve God—albeit an unbiblical one; at worst it is a man-made idea that has been abused and overused.

Calling and the New Holy Orders

Where did this idea of “calling” come from anyway? The concept is likely rooted in the history of the Catholic sacrament of Holy Orders, which understands vocational ministry as something bestowed by the Church, not merely (but certainly) felt by the individual. In Catholic tradition, a priest’s calling was not a personal decision based on internal conviction alone but a discerned, tested, and confirmed vocation that carries a permanent, sacramental weight. Through ordination (another man-made process), a priest is marked for life, set apart not by his own desire but by the Church’s authoritative affirmation of God’s calling upon him. This process involves rigorous training, communal discernment, and the understanding that once ordained, a priest is bound to his office—not free to resign simply because he no longer “feels called”. This stands in stark contrast to the modern Protestant approach, where calling is often framed as a personal experience, sometimes leading individuals into ministry without accountability and leaving them adrift when desires change, or hardships arise.

There are, of course, seminaries and ordination processes that exist in the Protestant church. Unless you are going to launch a cult, most people don’t jump into vocational ministry without connect with a church, denomination, or network. But the Protestants still use the word “call” in relation to pastors being especially chosen or appointed for ministry by what they sense as God. This calling can be perceived as “irrevocable” in the sense that the expectation is that “fulfilling the ministry they have been called to” means serving in a vocational role the rest of their lives. In other words, the Protestant church has, in some ways, adopted a kind of "New Holy Orders," where men and women are expected to discover and remain faithful to a calling for life. Even if their desires change (desire being a qualification mind you), it is rarely seen as natural growth but rather as a sign of burnout or a transition into another form of ministry—never as a legitimate reason to step away. Leaving ministry is often viewed not as a personal decision but as a betrayal of one’s calling, equated with disobedience to God—something sinful or wrong rather than a necessary or even faithful choice.

This mindset has likely caused many to stay in ministry far longer than is healthy or effective, forcing them to push through seasons of personal exhaustion, spiritual dryness, or disillusionment because they fear the practical and spiritual consequences stepping away from their “calling.” Instead of recognizing the need for rest, renewal, or a different path, they continue out of a sense of obligation or guilt, often leading to burnout or even unhealthy leadership. In the process, not only do their personal well-being and effectiveness suffer, but the ministry itself may also lose the vibrancy and purpose it once had, as leaders operate from a place of exhaustion rather than passion or calling.

What the Bible actually says about calling

I’m afraid that “calling” and much of what we understand it to be is simply based on things we’ve made up. And while these things may be pragmatically advantageous, arguably, they are emotionally dangerous. Truth be told, biblically speaking, calling has less to do with career and everything to do with identity. In the New Testament, calling primarily refers to God’s invitation to salvation and holiness. Passages like Romans 8:28-30, 1 Corinthians 1:9, and 2 Timothy 1:9 emphasize that calling is about being drawn to faith in Christ and being set apart for a holy life. It is a relational identity in Christ rather than a personal career or ministry role. This calling is not based on individual ambitions but on God's purpose, grace, and work in the believer’s life.

Additionally, calling can be understood as belonging to God’s people, as seen in 1 Peter 2:9 and Ephesians 4:1. This is not to be confused with membership or some sort of formalized connection with a church. Rather, being part of the church is being part of a group of “called out ones.” This is a communal identity and a call to live according to the values of God's kingdom. While there are instances where individuals are specifically called to roles or missions, such as Paul’s apostolic calling or the commissioning of Barnabas and Saul in Acts 13:2, this is always confirmed by the Church and not simply a personal sense of destiny. It is also very rare and not attached to pastors, elders, or any office despite our efforts to connect this idea to them all.

Ultimately, biblical calling is actually about identity in Christ, living a holy life, and belonging to the people of God (Big C Church). The modern concept of "calling to ministry" has, in many ways, shifted from this broader biblical foundation to a more vocational and institutionalized framework. This shift makes calling into something that is often understood in terms of a specific job or role within the church rather than a holistic identity in Christ. Unlike secular career choices, which can change over time, the sacramental nature of Holy Orders signifies a lifelong commitment, marking an indelible spiritual character upon the individual. Whether this is good or bad is the question.

Another way to look at calling

Dan Allender, in his book To Be Told and other writings, presents calling a bit differently. He describes it as the intersection of a person’s God-given story, unique design, and purpose in the world. This is kind of calling has less to do with determining vocation and everything to do with identity which will, invariably, shape one’s career—it’s an issue of emphasis. Essentially, he believes that calling is deeply connected to one's passions, wounds, and gifts, arguing that our personal stories—especially our struggles—reveal the work we are meant to do. Allender suggests that calling is not always a fixed job or ministry position but, rather, it is better understood through the narrative of one’s life. The joys and wounds we experience are often clues to where God is leading us, and our struggles shape the work we are called to engage in.

Allender further asserts that calling involves risk and suffering; it requires stepping into the world’s brokenness and often demands courage. Sometimes this means entering into intentional or vocational seasons of ministry, and other times this means leaving them. In that spirit, he challenges the notion of a single, unchanging calling, instead suggesting that calling is dynamic and unfolds over time. We may have multiple callings in different seasons of life. In echoing Frederick Buechner, Allender asserts: "Your calling is where your deep gladness meets the world’s deep need." This quote emphasizes the intersection of personal passions (gladness) and the world's needs (problem), while also implicitly acknowledging the importance of people (the world and those you are called to serve) and place (the context or mission in which one serves). This view reflects how calling is shaped by understanding the challenges and needs around you, as well as the unique role you play in responding to them.

A Renewed Freedom for the Called

A renewed understanding of calling offers us the freedom to step away from the pressure of a lifelong commitment to a specific role or ministry. In other words, calling is neither perpetual or permanent. It could be argued that, at the most biblical core, calling isn’t vocational at all most of the time. Everyone has a calling. All Christians are “called” to Christ and “called” to glorify God through our lives, regardless of where that leads or how it manifests. We are called to love Jesus and follow Him—beyond the confines of a single job, mission, or role.

As I struggled with the idea of “abandoning” a 15-year calling as a pastor, my own therapist put it simply: “Love Jesus and do what you want.” This doesn’t mean that we act recklessly or selfishly, but it frees us to approach our vocations with a sense of openness and trust. Vocations can come and go according to our needs and desires, but ministry never ends. We can serve God and minister to others, even outside the formal context of ministry, because serving as ambassadors for Christ (something we are actually all called to) is not confined to a pulpit or a platform—it’s in every area of life. Embracing this freedom allows us to serve God wherever we are according to who we are.