This was not confined to one method. Instead we find, as we examine the New Testament record, that there were at least three important means by which individuals found their particular callings or places in the Body of Christ:
Some were directly commissioned by Christ but later confirmed for specific service by local church leadership.
(1) Paul was called sovereignly by direct encounter with the risen Christ (Acts 9:1-8).
(2) Paul received further instructions through the disciples in Damascus (Acts 9:9-19).
(3) Paul became submissive to the local church in Antioch of Syria (Acts 11:26).
(4) Paul’s calling and ministry were recognized within that local church (Acts 13:1).
(5) In God’s timing, Paul was separated and publicly approved for a specific mission (Acts 13:2-3).
Some voluntarily served and in so doing discovered their best avenues of contribution.
(1) The house of Stephanas became devoted to hospitality and ministering in practical ways to the saints (1 Corinthians 16:15, 16).
(2) Dorcas found a place of ministry in her work as a seamstress (Acts 9:36, 39).
Laying on of hands by the presbytery added spiritual strength and public approval to those who were already ministering (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6).
We find no New Testament precedent for creating a brand new ministry through the laying on of hands and prophecy. This ministry was more for the purpose of helping those that God had already chosen to find themselves in God. It often came at the time in their lives when confirmation was most desperately needed.
All three of these means are as valid today as in New Testament times. Probably the most common way of finding our place of service remains the second of these, that of simply doing what we find open to us to the best of our ability and faithfulness. Since our gift makes a way for us, we will eventually find our niche in the local church assembly. If our place is in a wider circulating ministry, we will come into this by the route of the local church sending us out.