How can I know if I am being called to preach?

There is no doubt that preaching is a noble calling and one which is
far more important to God than it is to most people. Preaching is not
simply a time-filler in the worship service, nor is it the sharing of
personal experiences, no matter how emotional. Nor is it a
well-organized "talk" complete with a PowerPoint display designed to
give a series of steps to a better life. Preaching, as the Apostle
Paul records, is the vehicle by which the life-giving truth of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ is conveyed. The words of the preacher are to
be faithful to the Word of God, which is "the power unto salvation for
everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). Paul's admonition to the young
pastor Timothy was, "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus…I give
you this charge: Preach the Word…!" (2 Tim. 4:1-2). So there is no
doubt the preaching of the Word is of primary importance to God. So
must it be for anyone considering entering the ministry as a preacher.

But how can one be sure he is called to preach? First are the
subjective indicators. If a man has the burning desire within him that
cannot be denied, that is a good indication of a "calling" by God. The
Apostle Paul and the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah experienced the
same desire. Paul said, "Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast,
for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the
gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16). To be "compelled" to preach means to be
driven onward by an irresistible and undeniable compulsion to do so.
Jeremiah described it as a "burning fire" (Jeremiah 20:8-9) that could
not be stifled. Trying to hold it back made him weary.

Second, there are objective indicators of God's calling to preach. If
the response to early efforts at preaching are positive, this is a
good indication that the prospective preacher has the gift of
didaktikos, the gift of teaching from the Holy Spirit (Ephesians
4:11). Every preacher must be first and foremost a teacher of God's
Word, conveying it in a clear and concise manner and making personal
application to the hearers. The church leadership are usually the best
determiners of whether a man has this gift. If they are agreed that he
does, the prospective preacher should then be examined by the
leadership as to his character, as outlined in the requirements for
elders in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 (for every preacher is also an
elder). These two affirmations by the church are another indication of
God's calling.

Finally, the whole process should be bathed in prayer every step of
the way. If God is truly calling a man to preach, He will confirm it
in many ways. Seek His face and ask that doors are opened to more
opportunities and more confirmations, both internal and external. Ask
also that doors will close if it is not His will to continue. Take
heart in the fact that God is sovereignly in control of all things and
will work "all things. . .together for good to those who love God, to
those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). If
He has called you, that call will not be denied.