Hearing God's Call: Ways of Discernment for Laity and Clergy

By: Ben Campbell Johnson

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Synopsis: How can one discern if a calling truly is from God? How can one be alert to the fact that one call is ending and another is beginning? In this insightful book Ben Campbell Johnson gives inspiring, experience-based advice on these and other questions concerning the call of God. Johnson begins by relating several stories of both laypersons and clergy who have experienced God's call. He does so in order to underscore two significant points: God is still calling believers today, just as he did in earlier times, and God's empowering call extends to clergy and laity alike. In the rest of the book Johnson explores various aspects of the call, offering spiritually wise observations on how best to discern and respond to the voice of God. Although Hearing God's Call is about a serious spiritual subject, Johnson never discusses it in a vague or nebulous fashion but always anchors it in instructive particulars. He uses numerous relevant anecdotes to illustrate his principal points, and he provides a thoughtful series of discernment exercises at the end of each chapter. The book concludes with an appendix that examines prominent biblical figures who experienced God's call, including Peter, Paul, John the Baptist, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. Filled with rich spiritual insights, many inspirational stories, and much practical advice, this book will help anyone seeking to hear God's call with greater clarity and act on it with greater conviction.