Description: Dick Armstrong was thoroughly committed to his promising future as a major league baseball front-office executive until something happened that completely changed his life and steered him in a totally new direction. In A Sense of Being Called, Armstrong tells the story of what he calls his ""Damascus Road"" experience, an awesome encounter with the God he had always believed in but had never given the slightest thought to serving. The dramatic theophany initiated a remarkable pilgrimage of faith in which he and his supportive wife, Margie, learned how God guides, provides for, and equips those who respond to the divine call. What the unbelieving world would label coincidence Dick and Margie viewed as the miraculous providence of God--of a God whose timing, they came to understand, is often surprising and always perfect. As the doors to entering seminary kept opening or closing in unpredictable ways, Dick was eventually led to Princeton Theological Seminary, where he met then-president John A. Mackay, who was to have a powerful impact on Dick's life. Dick and Margie's departure from the Baltimore Orioles and their transition to becoming a full-time seminary couple was traumatic. Their five-and-a-half-year-old son died on the Seminary's convocation day. The poignant story of Ricky's death provides another inspirational illustration of how God is able to work for good, even in the death of a child, with those who are called according to God's purpose. The three years at seminary were transformational for Dick Armstrong, who traces the often -humorous events leading to his ordination and call to be the pastor of the Oak Lane Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Armstrong's hope is that this book will move readers to consider how God has been at work in their lives and will awaken in them their own sense of being called. Endorsements: ""This is a providential publication. At a time when God's people are challenged to rediscover their calling, Dick Armstrong's beautiful story can help people do just that. It is a powerful reminder that when God enters our lives, life's direction often changes, even dramatically. By the gift of faith we realise that our story has always been intended to be God's story. The author invites the reader to accompany him on his remarkable journey of faith. This is a journey that I could observe for the almost thirty years that Prof. Armstrong has been my close personal friend and colleague. He and his writings have greatly impacted my ministry and the ministries of many hundreds of pastors and many more lay leaders in South Africa. They will be eager to read his amazing story, and I'm sure they will conclude, as I have, that his passionate commitment and powerful witness to the gospel are an impressive fulfilment of his 'sense of being called.'"" --Malan Nel Founding Director of the Centre for Contextual Ministry Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, South Africa ""I am so glad Dick Armstrong has at last written the story of his call to ministry. My unique friendship with Dick began soon after he announced that he was leaving his position as Public Relations Director of the Baltimore Orioles to enter Princeton Seminary. He became a vital partner and indispensable colleague in shaping and enabling the mission of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In the early days of the FCA he served as a most needed interpreter of the unfolding vital relationship being forged between religion and sports. With the publication of A Sense of Being Called he has added another very helpful, adventurous, intriguing, and joyful book to his excellent and varied writings."" --Don McClanen Founder and first Executive Director Fellowship of Christian Athletes ""Dick Armstrong has been a friend and inspiration to me for decades. I thought I knew Dick, but now I really know him after reading A Sense of Being Called. This book will stir your soul and lift your spirit just as it has done for me."" --Pat

This third volume of poetry by Armstrong covers many topics in a variety of styles. The poems are separated into three sections -- "From Biblical Texts", "Random Thoughts" and "From My Distant Past". In addition to being useful in personal devotions and meditations, they will also be a helpful source of illustrations for pastors, teachers and others in their preaching and speaking. A topical index and an index of first lines are included.

Accomplished author Richard Stoll Armstrong speaks openly and honestly about how a pastor functions with evangelical sensitivity in the roles of visitor, counselor, teacher, discipler, administrator, and public figure. He describes the specific opportunities for evangelism in each of these functions. Ways are suggested in which pastors can lead conversations and group or class meetings that open up opportunities for discussion of faith questions.

The role of the pastor as worship leader and preacher takes on additional significance when viewed in the context of evangelism. Building on the foundation laid in his earlier book "The Pastor as Evangelist," Richard Stoll Armstrong provides practical, down-to-earth guidance for the minister who wants to participate more fully in the church's mission of evangelism.

From one who is a minister, professor, and recognized leader in the field of evangelism comes a challenge to pastors to take a new look at their mission. Richard Stall Armstrong invites pastors to put on "evangelistic glasses" to perceive what it means to be a pastor-evangelist in terms of personal relationships and in light of the various factors that define evangelism.

Clearly and compellingly, Armstrong Mows how to take the responsibility for evangelism, seriously. He analyzes in a concrete way the many contexts of evangelism -- the difference between witnessing to the young and the old, to individuals and groups, an the telephone or an television. He counsels pastors to adopt not a particular method but rather a style that is nondogmatic that blends consistency with flexibility, and, above all, one that reflects the integrity and power of the Christian message.

Biblically based, theologically sound, and vocationally relevant, this book is full of useful ideas and practical suggestions that will benefit pastors, professors, and seminarians.

"Service Evangelism" has been used by thousands of pastors and lay leaders throughout the United States and Canada to advance a style of evangelism that combines the social and personal dimensions of the gospel.