This book is designed to reach multiple audiences. First, I hope it will be a resource for beginning classes in formal theological education. For students interested in church ministry, I believe an appropriate starting point for theological studies is with a study of God's call. Such a study at the beginning of an undergraduate or graduate theological degree could serve to inspire students and increase their hunger for greater biblical and theological learning. Students tend to be full of questions regarding God's call at the beginning of formal theological education, whether undergraduate or graduate.

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. In church life, many persons other than clergy feel called to some form of non-ordained ministry or service. Many of the characteristics of God's call are similar for both groups.

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. Many times I have wished I had such a volume at my fingertips to offer to inquiring persons. I hope this book will meet this need.

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.