The 5 Types of Calling in the Bible

Ephesians 4:11 outlines five types of calling in the Bible — Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher — each designed to edify and strengthen the Church. Whether you feel drawn to missionary work, guiding others with wisdom or preaching the Gospel, understanding these biblical callings can help you discern how to use your gifts for God’s glory. 

Have you ever wondered what your calling is? The Bible teaches that every believer has a purpose, something God gives to build up His Church and serve others. While we are all called to live holy and righteous lives, Scripture also speaks of specific callings that shape how we contribute to God’s kingdom. In this post, we’ll explore each of these types of ministry callings, how they manifest today, and how they might align with your spiritual gifts and passions.

In This Article:

• What Is a Calling?
• The Five Types of Callings in the Bible
• Prepare for Your Calling With GCU’s Theological Seminary

What Is a Calling?

Each of us has a calling. Dr. Scott Hovater, Faculty Chair, College of Theology, describes a biblical calling as "something that comes from the Lord, asking us to use whatever gifts, talents and abilities God has given us to edify us and build up the Church." Understand that when we speak of the Church, we mean the body of God, not a structure. Your gifts can be used within a particular church or with organizations like Habitat for Humanity or universities like Grand Canyon University. All are called to witness, but we have specific callings to edify the church. Ephesians 4:11 outlines these five callings.

The Five Types of Callings in the Bible

To better understand yourself as a follower of God, it is important to know what the 5 types of callings are. God calls every person to something and knowing which of these you are more inclined toward can help direct the gifts God has given you. These 5 callings can help determine if the mission field is right for you and what part fits best. Keep in mind that God has given everyone unique talents and the way you are meant to use them may not be in a clear calling category. To better understand each calling and how they relate to your talents, keep reading.

The Apostle

The calling of an apostle is one of being sent out to bring the Word of God; today, we can liken them to what we know as missionaries who venture into unfamiliar cultures and share the love of Christ. Someone who goes out to “an unchurched part of the world and brings the Word of God to people who haven’t heard the word before,” says Dr. Hovater. They are not to be confused with preachers; they are more like bridge builders, seeking to understand and connect with the people they are called to serve, meeting them where they are.

One notable missionary is Hudson Taylor, the first missionary to mainland China.¹ He bucked the temptation to force the people of China to conform to and adopt Western culture, as this is not in the Bible. Instead, he immersed himself in Chinese culture. He even wore the customary queue or pigtail men wore in the 1800s. He met them where they were and brought the Word of God to them. He adopted the culture of the people, making them more comfortable. This helped him reach more people for Christ.

As an apostle, they may not be as charismatic as evangelists; they have a gift for “drawing people together and understanding them,” says Dr. Hovater. Today, those with an apostolic calling may find themselves in remote villages, urban outreach programs, or even digital mission fields, spreading God’s truth to unreached communities.

The Prophet

The prophet listens to God's Word and offers wisdom, guidance and encouragement to others. Modern-day prophets help people navigate life's challenges by speaking biblical truth into their situation, like a counselor. They work to gain a deep understanding of the Word of God and minister to those in the church who are struggling, offering comfort and even correction when needed.

We can think of them as counselors. They know what to say and always have the right words from Scripture to encourage and uplift. They take God's Word and speak into someone's life in a specific sense.

Their gift is the ability to provide biblical advice to fellow Christians. They are attuned to God's word, open to listening and understanding the people they serve and providing insight and wisdom. They do this through one-on-one conversations, small group discussions or counseling.

Dr. Hovater helps us understand that the prophet is not leaning on his own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) but advising people he counsels to "follow the wisdom within these biblical truths and your chances of turning your life around improve. We live in a fallen world. Bad things happen to good people too, but if we follow God’s Word, we can mitigate those things."

The Teacher

The teacher is also known as the guardian of the truth. Teachers are passionate about sharing and protecting the integrity of God’s Word. They guide and instruct others with biblical knowledge.

They make sure that scripture is clear, relatable and applicable. They study scripture, mentor others and communicate theological truths to inspire others. C.S. Lewis would be a good example; although he called himself an apologist, he used his understanding of Scripture to educate Christians through his books.²

Seminary professors are also teachers, like those who lead our seminary college. They train future pastors, missionaries and church leaders in biblical studies and theology. You can be a part of this legacy — grow in faith, deepen your understanding and prepare for your calling with guidance from our experienced faculty. They invite you to join the flock to take the next step toward your ministry by learning more about GCU’s Theological Seminary. 

The Pastor

The pastor, also called a priest or minister in their respective faiths, speaks to a large group, shepherding and guiding a community of believers, providing spiritual care, biblical teaching and leadership. They are responsible for nurturing the congregation, counseling parishioners and keeping the church grounded in sound doctrine. Pastors have a heart for people and walk alongside others in their faith journey.

An example of this calling is Pastor John Mac Arthur, a teacher and author. He answered the call to ministry and has faithfully led Grace Community Church in California as their senior pastor for 55 years and is known for his expository teaching style.³ His work can be found in books and on the radio. As leaders of a local body of believers, pastors must be rooted in the Word and maintain biblical wisdom and personal integrity. At times, this may even mean taking a stand against the culture, as evidenced by Grace Community Church’s controversial stance against California’s COVID-19 policy.⁴

The Evangelist

An evangelist's calling is about proclaiming the Gospel and leading souls to be saved in mass. They are gifted with charisma and are focused on spreading the Good News. They often preach in churches, revivals, on the streets, or through media reaching global audiences.

Billy Graham is one such evangelist who spent decades preaching to millions worldwide, leading audiences to Christ during his crusades.⁵ His ministry wasn't focused on a single congregation but on bringing the message of salvation to as many people as possible. As stated in Matthew 28:19-20, we are all called to share the Good News of salvation found in Jesus, which makes us all evangelists.

Prepare for Your Calling With GCU’s Theological Seminary

Discovering your calling is a journey of faith, service and dedication. Whether you feel led to be an apostle, prophet, teacher, pastor or evangelist, each role is vital in building up the Church and spreading the Gospel. As Dr. Hovater says, "All Christians should be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). If you sense an even deeper calling toward one of the five mentioned here, I would highly recommend attending seminary.”

At Grand Canyon Theological Seminary, we provide biblically rooted and theologically sound programs designed to help prepare you for your calling in the ministry. If you feel called to serve, explore theology bachelor’s degrees and master’s programs to take the first step in answering God's call for your life.