This document discusses Robin Monteiro's calling to preach. It explores ways to discern a calling through inner resonance with one's spirit, encouragement from community, and a sense of compulsion. It describes how life experiences seemingly unrelated have pointed to this calling, from childhood speaking in church to unexpected opportunities to preach. The document concludes that everything in one's life can prelude the opportunities of this moment, and retrospection enables one to be fully present now.

1. R O B I N M O N T E I R O 4 1 6 6 0 3 1
P R O F E S S O R C R A I G J O N E S
F O U N D A T I O N S O F L E A R N I N G
A P R I L 3 , 2 0 1 5
Why the Call to Preach?

2. How I can be certain of my calling
 Vocational discernment-
 Inner resonance *
 How does my “spirit” respond to the execution of my calling?
 Is there a feeling of purpose?
 Is there a sense of fulfillment?
* Courage and Calling, Smith pg. 170

3. How to be certain of your calling (cont.)
 Vocational discernment cont.-
 Community witness *
 Is the practice of my calling encouraged by those who have
witnessed it? Yes
 Do people express a of sense of gratitude for the message they just
heard? Yes
 Am I often-times mistaken for that which I feel called to? Yes
* Courage and Calling, Smith pg. 170

4. Sense of Compulsion
 Charles Spurgeon warned those who sought his
counsel not to preach if they could help it. *
 “But, if he cannot help it, and he must preach or die, then he is
the man.”
 The sense of urgent commission is one of the central marks of
an authentic call.
crosswalk.com/Albert Moser Has God called You?

5. The role of Providence
 Life experiences seemingly unrelated which taken
together have spoken to my calling-
-Childhood speaking in Church.
-Sunday School teaching.
-Extended Bible study teaching.
When the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy one of the
qualifications of the pastor was “able to teach”. *
-Enrollment in speech classes for academic purposes
only.
-Diction courses for possible broadcasting career.
(which never was pursued)
* 1 Timothy 3:2

6. The role of Providence cont.
-Unexpected calls to preach. The provision of the Holy Spirit.
Grace Missionary Baptist Church Markham, Ill.
Senior and Junior Ushers Anniversary
October 2010
Pine Crest Healthcare Center Hazelcrest, Ill.
First Sunday Service
May 2014
In both instances notification to preach was less than 1 hour in advance.
In both instances the message was provided by the Holy Spirit.
God was Glorified.

7. Conclusion
 Gordon Smith says *
 “…Everything in our lives is a prelude for this moment, this event and the opportunities that lie before us
now
 “Retrospection is the capacity to think about the past in a manner that can enable us to be fully present
now”
Works Cited
Smith, Gordon T. “Courage and Calling” pg. 170 Inter Varsity Press books 2011 ed.
Moser, Albert “Has God called You” Crosswalk.com
Apostle Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, I Timothy 3:2 Holy Bible NIV