the big Q in ministry

How do you know if you're called to the ministry? Is there really a call?

Every minister-to-be (well, most) will feel this nagging question hanging from somewhere before he or she enters in to the ministry - some ask this question while they're serving. Is there actually a call? Is there one at all or is it all up there in your head?

Here are some quotes:

"If you are called, you know it. The difficulty is often with just doing what He wants in the way He wants it done. Once you get past the fear of what people will say, of how you will make it (financially and spiritually), and the thousnad other things that will drive you nuts, the rest is pretty easy" - anonymous

"There is no specific call to ministry. Ministry can be done in any job anywhere. Look at the gifts that God has gifted you in and see if your lifetools fit the job description of a pastor. If your gifts fit the role of a pastor then your job is a pastor" - anonymous

Speaking to a few people who are currently ministers in various denominations... apparently all of them have different views on the subject, which has led me to a state of confusion on the 'call' to the ministry.

Each one can be called to 'ministry' or 'full-time ministry', but how do you 'hear/discern' that call? I was once told that if God has called me to be a pastor, no matter how hard I try to run away from that, I'll eventually come back or I'll feel so guilty about it and not be satisfied with whatever I'm doing. EGW (Ellen G. White) in her book Pastoral Ministry says that one should question his calling to the ministry unless he/she feels that any other job, no matter how large the salary is not fulfilling (paraphrased). How will one know that until he has started the job? I'm starting to question my calling and if there really is a call... this is a big issue, because if there really is no call... what am I doing and was the thought, the 'calling' in my head nothing but the result of my mind playing tricks on me?

A few of my classmates have their own views, one of which shares the idea of there not being a specific call to ministry. It's the individual's choice whether to be a pastor or not, it's not like you're chosen specifically to be a pastor. So how does it work out if say, someone feels that his job should be one of a pastor but deep inside he feels otherwise? This is a bugging question.

My professor believes in there being a calling for each person to enter the ministry. The Adventist Church ordains those whom they feel have been 'called' to the ministry. Is it because they feel that individuals have been 'called' by God or are they ordained because they fit into the shape of a pastor, because their personalities and working capabilities fulfill the role of a pastor?

Many individuals serve in their own way, ministering to people in their daily lives - is this not also a 'calling' that they're fulfilling? A question to ponder over...