This book is designed to reach multiple audiences. First, I hope it will be a resource for beginning classes in formal theological education. Second, I want to provide a written resource about God’s call that may be helpful to lay readers as well as to those called to the ministry. Third, I want this book to be a ready resource for professors, pastors, ministers, and mentors to have available to give to persons seeking their wisdom and counsel relative to God’s call.

A theme of personal conviction will provide the foundation for this book. This conviction is that “it is worth a life” to answer God’s call. This is true for persons called to vocational ministry and equally true for those called to ministries not requiring ordination. The call of God is not exclusive to clergy, as special as that call is. God’s call can come to all, and it is worth a life to serve God, whether as an ordained servant or layperson.