Intro: There are two senses in which the Bible speaks of being called to preach. 1. The Bible speaks of those who were directly called to preach. Jeremiah speaks of his call to the prophetic office. God said, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; And I ordained you a prophet to the nations" ... "For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak" (Jer. 1:5,7). God spoke directly and miraculously to such Old Testament prophets. They were called not only to speak, but to write down the Scriptures that were given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Jesus CALLED the apostles (Mk. 3:13). "Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach" (Mk. 3:14). These were also to be given miraculous powers (Mk. 3:15). The apostles were told, "what ever you bound on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matt. 18:18). The apostles were thus AMBASSADORS for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). On the eve of His death, Jesus prayed, "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world" (John 17:18). To equip the apostles in this work, the Father would send them the Holy Spirit. He would bring to their remembrance all that Jesus had said unto them (John 14:26), and would continue the work Jesus had begun with them (John 16:12), guiding them into all the truth (John 16:13). The apostles and New Testament prophets (other inspired men who were not apostles) are under consideration in Eph. 3:3-5: "how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I wrote before in a few words, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets." This direct and personal calling and appointment was extraordinary and unique. It was not intended that there would continue to be endless revelation down through the centuries. No man can scripturally claim that he has power to bind and loose on earth today, or to confirm such authoritative revelation by raising the dead, and other miracles (2 Cor. 12:12). No one living today can truthfully claim that he is a witness of the resurrected Christ, as were the apostles. 2. There is a second way in which the Bible teaches God calls men to preach. God calls all men by the Gospel (2 Thes. 2:15). Among those called by the Gospel there will today be pastors, evangelists, and teachers (Eph. 4:11). It is God that grants each individual his capacity for service. (See the principle of Romans 12:4-8 and 1 Pet. 4:11). The individual himself must use his God-given abilities and opportunities. In that sense it could be said that God calls men to preach/teach. But this is not direct and miraculous, as was the promise made to the twelve: "...do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you" (Matt. 10:19-20). The one who would preach/teach today would be well advised to diligently study and prepare. How does God call one to preach today? By teaching in His word that those who are themselves saved by the blood of Christ are to have a real concern for souls of others. This does not mean that all will preach, but that concern will be expressed by some in the form of preaching. God teaches the saved to be concerned about the glory of Christ, and furthering His cause. For some, that will mean preaching the Gospel of Christ. Timothy was told to teach faithful men, that they may be able to "teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). This is how teachers/preachers are called. Further, those who are taught and baptized are to be taught "all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19). This includes teaching others the Gospel of Christ. All disciples should teach others as they have opportunity. The work of an evangelist (2 Tim. 4:5) is something one "grows into." Those who would preach the Gospel should especially read the letters to Timothy and Titus.It is necessary that first and foremost one be faithful to the Lord. Then let him grow in grace and knowledge. Let him learn to read the scriptures distinctly, give the sense, and cause others to understand the reading (Neh. 8:8). Let him teach and exhort, being careful to rightly divide the word, and not misapply, or take passages out of context. Some will develop into "part-time" preaching, working at another job, as they preach. Others will be able to preach on a "full-time" basis, supported financially by the church. Both are scriptural arrangements, and there is room for both kinds of work. Conclusion. It is not true to say that preachers are not called. They are called by the Gospel (2 Thes. 2:14; 2 Tim. 2:2). But they are not called directly and miraculously, nor are they given authority to "bind and loose" with heaven's authority. No one is called and sent forth today as were the apostles. If one makes the claim that he is, let him produce the proof. As Paul said, "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you" (2 Cor. 12:12). If someone makes the claim that he has been called to preach by God speaking to him directly, listen to him preach for a while. You will likely find in a very short time that his preaching contradicts his claim.