The study is on the Gospel of Mark; a group of adults gathers each week to examine and discuss the Scripture, verse by verse. While they are still midway through the first chapter, they begin to discuss Jesus calling the first disciples. “And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:17–18).
“That’s it!” one of the group members exclaims. “They just dropped everything and went, no questions asked?” The rest of the group dives in. They discuss rational possibilities. “Regardless of the details,” a group member finally says, “They followed Jesus and that is when their whole story really began!”
I’ve Said Yes. Now What?
Imagine how those first disciples may have felt: “OK, I’ve left my father in the boat and now I’m doing something I’ve never done before. What was I thinking and what do I do now?” After answering the call to leadership in the church, many have had that very same thought. “I listened for God, heard a call, saw the call confirmed by those around me, and said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’ Now what do I do?” After saying yes to the call, how is that call nourished in faith?
It is helpful to begin by taking a look at the subject of call. Call is one of those words that most people find hard to define. In our baptism, God claims us and calls us, gives us the responsibility to live our lives in a certain way — a way that honors God. This call applies not only to our careers or occupations, or even just to our personal lives. This responsibility affects each part of our lives. In fact, our own Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Order reminds us that “God calls a people ... to use the gifts and abilities God has given, honoring and serving God (1) in personal life, (2) in household and families, (3) in daily occupations, (4) in community, nation, and the world” 2
Meeting God Daily
With the knowledge that our call affects all the parts of our lives, consider some of the options for spiritual nourishment:
Journaling
Record your thoughts, feelings, and experiences through writing or other recordings. Take time to look back and notice God’s purposes from a “treetop” view. Journaling can be used as a way of talking with God while also discerning the ways in which God is moving through ordinary events.
Prayer
Any communication with God is, in fact, prayer. Experience this communication in a variety of forms.
Bible Study
Learn about God. Do this through a particular study resource, by reading through the Bible as a whole, or by using the Scripture passages as designated by the lectionary.
Examen
At the end of the day, identify the moment for which you were most grateful and the moment for which you were least grateful. Listen to these patterns as a way of listening to what God may be saying to you. The spiritual practices in which we are engaged shed light and open our eyes to God’s voice and how God may be calling us in this ever-changing world. We should continue to ask questions about how we are being called to serve in the church at each point in the road as long as we are alive. Additional resources on this topic as well as other resources for church leadership are available at thepresbyterianleader.com.
Notes
This article is adapted from the participant handout “Developing Your
Leadership Skills” by Martha Miller, available from The Presbyterian Leader. Used with permission.
2. Book of Order, Part II of The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) [Louisville: Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2007], W-5.6000.
Martha Miller is a certified Christian educator and an elder in the PC(USA). She serves as the associate for certification and Christian vocation in the PC(USA) Office of Vocation.
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