A Desire is Not a Calling

An examination of vocation and calling from a biblical perspective, with some practical suggestions for how to pursue one's biblical vocation.

Journal of Christian Education, Vol 54, No 1, 2011

pocation is the idea that there is something -my vocation or calling -God has called me to do with my life, and nry life has meaning and purpose at least in part because lam fu!filling my calling. (p.2)

2019

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of calling for seasoned pastors. Guiding the research were four related sub-questions: (a) How do seasoned pastors describe their initial experiences of calling? (b) How do they describe the ways in which they have critically reflected on their experiences of calling ? (c) How do seasoned pastors describe their subsequent actions that have resulted from their calling? (d) How do seasoned pastors describe the development of their calling? A purposeful sampling of 11 pastors who have for six or more years functioned as a full-time pastor were engaged in this phenomenological research. Mezirow’s (1991) theory of transformative learning and Loder’s (1989) theistic educational philosophy were used to frame the research. The data acquired from semi-structured interviews, field notes, and a focus group were recorded and transcribed by a voice recognition transcription service. A summary analysis and the transcribed ...

2009

Prepared for the PCCNA/USCCB Exploratory Dialogue @ University of Notre Dame (Sept 2023) for Spiritus (Oral Roberts Journal), forthcoming

2012

A major legacy of Martin Luther that is still relevant today is his theological framework, which made calling a fundamental theme. Luther subscribed to the theory of "vocation," which held that each person is born with a calling or a divine purpose. This concept went against the popular belief of the time, which held that only clergy and monks had a sacred calling and that everyone else was solely fit for secular endeavors. (Hendrix,2015) In modern society, the phrase "calling" is frequently used synonymously with several terms, although only one is identical. According to Dr. R. Paul Stevens, an applied theology professor at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, the word "vocation" comes from the Latin word vocatio, which means "calling." "Although it is not evident to those who use these words, they are the same thing," he claims. (Stevens,2004) Therefore, in this study, the terms "vocation" and "calling" will be used interchangeably. The creator of the Cranach Institute, an organization dedicated to the study of calling, and author of God at Work, Dr. Gene Veith, observes that in today's society, "vocation" has come to mean "job," as in "vocational training. (Veith,2002). "Dr. Douglas Schuurman is a religion professor at Northfield, Minnesota's St. Olaf College. Indeed, God calls us to serve both God and neighbor in all meaningful social interactions. (Douglas,2004) In addition, Dr. Shirley Roels, academic dean at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and co-author of Business Through the Eyes of Faith, clarifies that "Vocation implies a relationship with the one who calls us." Biblically speaking, the triune God is that caller. The definition of "calling" as given above and other similar phrases varied significantly. An "occupation" is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as an activity that serves as one's regular source of livelihood. According to Stevens, a calling is not the same as a career or job. A profession is a vocation for which one trains and where one hopes to make a living for the majority of one's working life. A job is a component of a calling, not the entirety of it. A calling is a call from God to live our entire life for his glory. A job is any labor that is done just out of need. He mentions, for instance, that Joseph worked as a shepherd, was employed as Potiphar's slave, and felt called by God to use his abilities to redeem Egypt and the Israelites. (Stevens,2002) The definition of "profession" according to modern researchers is "a relatively 'high status' occupation whose members apply abstract knowledge in a particular field of endeavor." Hence, the "jurisdiction" in which a profession is applied and its area of specialty serve to distinguish it.

The Journal of Markets and Morality, 2015

This paper was presented as part of a study group that explored the nature of the theological vocation. As academic posts become increasingly more difficult to obtain, what other vocations are hospitable to the calling of the theologian? The following paper explores how the pastorate serves as a fruitful vocation for theologians. The paper recounts the personal experience of the author, who is the co-founder of the Center for Pastor Theologians.

Sower Media, 2024

The question of whether Christian ministry constitutes a vocation, or a divine calling remains central to theological and ecclesiastical debate. The New Testament provides a compelling model of ministry through the apostles, characterised by servanthood, self-sacrifice, and an unwavering reliance on the power of God. In contrast, the professionalisation of clergy in contemporary Christianity often reduces ministry to a career, subject to institutional constraints and secular benchmarks. This paper critically examines these two paradigms, arguing that modern clerical practices, shaped by professionalisation, risk losing the spiritual power necessary for transformative ministry. Drawing on biblical principles and scholarly perspectives, this paper contends that authentic Christian ministry transcends vocation, demanding a life wholly surrendered to God.