If we had the statistics from other reformed churches it may be par for the course. But this can never be an excuse for the mistakes that have been made. We need to know what the errors of judgement have been, who has made them and what lessons have been learned. Not for one moment do we doubt that it is God who equips particular people for particular tasks. It is with this question that considerable confusion exists.
Opinions differ greatly.
And it could well be that because of this our church courts have not asked the right questions and have looked for the wrong evidences. I have heard it argued that if there is an overwhelming sense of call, a personal inward communication from God to one's own soul to which the individual alone is privy, then it borders on unbelief for any church court to probe, question and submit to scrutiny the person's life, motives and gifts. I have heard it argued that the candidate has been brought up in our church, has an illustrious ancestry and therefore should be accepted. I have heard it argued that the applicant is well versed in Calvinistic theology, is a convinced Psalm singer, has a distaste for Arminianism and the use of uninspired songs in worship. Such a stalwart for the truth could not be refused admission to our church's ministry.