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Renewing a Culture of Vocation by Marcia Clark Myers As a part of the recent restructure in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) national offices, a new Office of Vocation — a joint effort by the General Assembly Council and the Office of the General Assembly — was created that combines the programmatic and ecclesiastical functions related to leadership and vocation “to focus efforts on creating a culture of vocation within the church.”1 Because much of what we do in the national offices relates to the process of preparing, credentialing, and supporting those employed by the church, some suggested that our new joint office be called “Church Vocation.” To do so would miss an important emphasis of our church and put the spotlight on clergy and other church workers. Christian vocation is much more than this in the community of faith. For the past decade or more, the spotlight has been upon ministers of the Word and Sacrament. Unfounded rumors of an upcoming pastor shortage have motivated recruitment efforts. With over 2800 inquirers and candidates, we have more persons preparing for ordained ministry than ever before. Seminary students who feel no call to the practice of ministry of the Word and Sacrament seek ordination as a credential to have and a status that provides benefits. Well-meaning individuals work to “get John or Mary ordained” as though ordination itself is a goal to be achieved. In our efforts to remove artificial barriers that have kept the called from ministry, we have unintentionally devalued the call of non-clergy. We have spent a great deal of energy arguing about ordained ministry of the Word and Sacrament. In the intensity of discussion about ordination, we have allowed to flourish a common belief that the only “real” and valued vocation is that is of ministry of the Word and Sacrament. We have neglected the unique emphasis of our Reformed theological tradition that says we are all called by our baptism. There is no question about who is in or out of God’s work. Every Presbyterian should know that she or he is gifted by God and called by God to a life of service. In the words of the Directory for Worship (DFW) segment on Christian vocation: “God calls a people
c. to use the gifts and abilities God has given, honoring and serving God
Conversations about vocation quickly drift toward the ministerial calling. Mothers beam with pride as they tell friends that their son or daughter is sensing a call into the ministry. All mothers and fathers need the support and guidance of the church as they help their children discern their gifts and listen for God’s call — to serve in ministry, astronomy, computer technology, teaching, or whatever. When an individual feels the call of God into the ministry, it is clear that discernment of call is the responsibility of the church. It is the role of the church to affirm or disaffirm a call sensed by an individual and to provide the guidance and support as the person explores, is equipped, and lives out their call. Presbytery Committees on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) are charged with joining with those inquirers and candidates under their care to discern the call of God and the appropriate path for that call to be lived out. Others such as the individual’s home church and seminary staff also become part of a community of discernment. Some presbyteries assign members of the CPM to participate in youth events to begin the discernment process. Ministry development centers2 across the country offer expertise in vocational guidance. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every Presbyterian had the experience of the support and guidance of the church as a community of vocational discernment, helping her or him make one of the most important decisions of life? Sharon Diaz Parks suggests that young people need “mentoring communities” to guide them in the vocational discernment process.3 Some presbyteries have begun offering discernment events for young people. Grace Presbytery has established the “Eli Committee” (named for Samuel’s mentor Eli) to work with persons on vocational discernment. The Presbyterian Leadership Search Effort (PLSE) invites sessions, pastors, youth leaders, and campus ministers to nominate young persons to be nurtured in their vocational discernment.4 A number of our Presbyterian colleges have developed Christian vocation programs that explore issues of ethics, leadership, work, and faith. The PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer Program gives young adults service experience and vocational guidance. Many of us involved in pastoral formation have come to understand how essential it is for every Presbyterian to be supported in discernment of calling — to find the right life path for them. As Presbyterian Frederick Buechner puts it, “ The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”5 When individuals are guided in the exploration of their gifts and paths of service where those gifts are needed, they discover a great variety of opportunities to make a difference serving God. Pastors find joy and their ministries bear fruit when pastoring is their true calling. If pastoring is not a match for their gifts and temperament, both they and their congregations are likely to be unhappy and their ministry will not be fruitful. Parish ministry is hard work that must be nourished by a strong sense of vocation. Parish ministry is not for everyone. In its report, the General Assembly Council Christian Vocation Project Team asserted: "The experience of presbyteries and seminaries indicates that many of those preparing to become Ministers of the Word and Sacrament have never been exposed to the important Reformed theological concept of Christian vocation. In some cases such exposure might well have led them to explore other paths of service more satisfying and appropriate for them."6 Several years ago, I met a fifty-something-year-old school teacher who had devoted her life to teaching in the inner city before enrolling in seminary “in order to live out her vocation.” She did not understand that her teaching was a vocation and wonderful service of God! As we talked, she said that she loved teaching and she really did not feel called to be a pastor. She asked if there was any way she could use her teaching experience to work in the church. She was excited to learn about the ministry of Christian educators and the variety of church-sponsored educational ministries. A twenty-five-year-old man who works with mentally disabled persons said, “I believe that what I am doing is Christian service, but no one ever tells me that.” The ordered ministries of minister, elder, and deacon can only be understood in the context of Christian vocation. It is the larger circle of God’s workers from which some are set apart to function in a special role. Part of that role is to nurture others in their vocation. A central task of pastoral ministry is evoking a sense of God’s call and reminding Christians that God calls them into their homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and civic and political communities to serve God and neighbor.7 Over the past forty years, we have seen the growth of ministry as a profession and an accompanying decline of the understanding of Christian vocation. This contributes to a common notion that pastors are hired professionals and has led “laypersons” to leave ministry to the professionals. This negatively impacts the mission of congregations as we lose the energy and wisdom of mutual ministry. The loss of an understanding of vocation also impacts our communities and society because it allows individuals to separate their Christian commitment from their work. Would corporate ethical meltdowns such as Enron occur if Christians lived out their calling to serve God in their daily work there? Would a plumber overcharge or an inner-city grocer sell outdated meat? Mainline Protestants mourn the loss of our leadership role in the public square. It was our understanding of Christian vocation that put us there and demanded public respect. From the time of Calvin, who sent out elders to inspect fireplaces and oversee education, Reformed Christians have “meddled” in public affairs, serving on school boards, leading campaigns for justice, speaking out for the common good. If we can recapture and nourish the Christian vocation of Presbyterians, a great source of committed energy and tremendous God-given gifts will be unleashed for the renewal of our churches and the revitalization of our communities in ways that serve God and God’s people.8 Marcia Clark Myers is director of the Office of Vocation, a joint office of the General Assembly Council and the Office of the General Assembly. 1. Letter from Clifton Kirkpatrick and Linda Bryant Valentine (December 18, 2006) announcing the formation of the Office of Vocation. 2. A network of vocational counseling centers established by Presbyterians. See the Ministry Development Web site. 3. Sharon Daloz Parks, Big Questions, Worthy Dreams: Mentoring Young Adults in Their Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Faith (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000), 158. 4. For information about PLSE see the PLSE Web site. 5. Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC, Harper and Row, 1973. 6. Report of the Christian Vocation Project Team to the General Assembly Council, September 2006. 7. Douglas J. Schuurman, Vocation: Discerning our Callings in Life, p. xii-xiii. 8. For resources on Christian Vocation, see the Christian Vocation Web site.
Copyright Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). All Rights Reserved.
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