Discerning a call to vocational ministry can be one of the most challenging processes a person can face. Listed below are some references you can use no matter where you are in that process. All books can be purchased at www.covenantbookstore.com.

Bouman, Walter and Setzer, Sue. What Shall I Say?: Discerning God's Call to Ministry. 1995. A short book with helpful tips and exercises on discerning your call to vocational ministry. Published by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

Campbell, Dennis. Who Will Go For Us?: An Invitation to Ordained Ministry. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1984. An excellent short book on the nature of ministry.

Cetuk, Virginia Samuel. What to Expect in Seminary: Theological Education as Spiritual Formation. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996. A well written guide for seminary students. Helpful for reflecting on the seminary experience. Includes devotionals at the end of each chapter.

Chambers, Oswald. So Send I You. London: Simpkin Marshall Ltd., 1930. Chapter two on the call of God is helpful, although limits call to preaching only.

Cox, Robert. Do You Mean Me, Lord?: The Call to the Ordained Ministry. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1981.

Cullinan, Alice R. Sorting It Out: Discerning God's Call to Ministry. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1999. Excellent book with practical, biblically based steps and factors to consider. Discussions of: what is a call; how to respond to a call; characteristics of effective ministers; and bi-vocational ministry. Very easy read as well.

Lewis, Roy. Choosing Your Career, Finding Your Vocation: A Step by Step Guide for Adults and Counselors, Mahwah, New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1989. A practical book with several models and charts to help in the decision-making process. Also touches on theological/biblical aspects of vocation, plus integrates current career development theories that career counselors are using.

Montgomery, Felix E. Pursuing God’s Call: Choosing a Vocation in Ministry, Nashville: Convention Press, 1981. Although written for a Baptist audience, this is a practical guide to understanding, discerning, and following through on a call to vocational ministry.

Myers, William H. God's Yes Was Louder Than My No. Rethinking the African-American Call to Ministry. Grand Rapids, MI: William B.Eerdman's Publishing Company, 1994. An excellent technical book for identifying different stages of call discernment and biblical/theological/cultural issues of call. Focus not just for African-Americans.

Ware, Corinne. Ministry Specialities Test. Bethesda, MD: The Alban Institute. This short, 110-question test helps identify gifting in 11 different areas. Available from the Alban Institute for $10 plus shipping. Call 1-(800)-483-1318.

Wersell, Thomas, ed. Why I Am At The Seminary. Rock Island, IL: Augustana Press, 1962. A book of 40+ personal testimonies of seminary students concerning their call to ministry. Focuses more on the discernment process than seminary.

Wood, Charles M. An Invitation to Theological Study. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1994. An academic approach to explaining theology and how a seminary helps to form church leaders. Examples of hermeneutics.

Additionally, the former Associate Dean of Seminary Admissions is making available his master's thesis on how people discern call to ministry.  To obtain it, please click here.