Rob Bell on Calling & Ministry
I’ve long thought that if we don’t reclaim a vibrant sense that all Christians are called to serve God by making a difference in the world wherever they are – theologians call this the doctrine of “vocation” – the Church doesn’t have much of a future.
One of the great challenges in sharing this sense of vibrant calling is that a lot of clergy think the members of their congregational already know this. But as part of some research related to a Lilly Endowment-funded grant on vocation, some colleagues and I discovered that a) while most seminary graduates say that vocation is an important theological category they plan to emphasize in their ministry, b) most members of their congregation don’t feel that what the do “counts” as a calling. The typically think that only work in the church “counts” as ministry, vocation, or calling.
Somehow we’ve got to get the word out that any honest work done keeps the world God loves moving or contributes to wellbeing of the people God loves so much is a calling. Anything. Anywhere. Got that? Anyone and everyone is called by God. Period.
Given this, I was glad to come across this interview with Rob Bell and grateful for his take on the matter.
Interviewer: If a 20 year old told you she was entering full-time ministry because she wanted to serve God and make a difference in the world, what questions would you have for her? How would you respond?
Rob Bell: I would ask her if she’s a Christian. If she said “yes,” I would say “Too late! You’re already in full-time ministry! The real question is: what are you going to do with your God-given passions and energies? Who are you going to help? What are you going to make? Where are you going to serve? Go do that, and release yourself from the need to give it labels.
Nicely put, Rob!
Thank you David for putting this out there. It does seem like the message of calling is missed by most folks and I appreciate Bell’s thought provoking ideas, which at times seem to be very similar to Luther’s ideas especially in the area of vocation. I find it troubling that most people I speak with about vocation are NOT happy in there vocation and do not consider what they are doing in life a calling. If you want to read a fresh approach on this read Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire. The author here really has a sense of calling when it comes to teaching. I suggest we should Preach like our hairs on fire in order to get some of these important points across in the world wide marketplace of ideas.
Keep up the good work, it’s well appreciated.
Dick
Growing up as a Quaker (now an Episcopalian) the notion of the everpresentness of God and living in the Light was very meaningful – but this awareness is overwhelming and very difficult (probably impossible) to maintain 24/7/365 (or 366)….
But the paradox is that if every minute is minstry, special, an encounter with G-d, then none of them is truly or deeply so. I find myself in the central tension between the “now” and the “not yet”, between the immanence and transcendence, between the liturgy and the Light –
That’s a great insight and question, Karis. I wonder if part of the issue is that every moment has the potential to be an encounter with God, and part of the human condition is that we are so often unaware of it. And, even in those moments of recognizing God’s presence, we are still aware of their provisional character. We still see through a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Yet in the meantime we still give thanks for seeing dimly.
Does one have to be Christian to be called by God? Does one have to be Christian to be “in full-time ministry,” as Bell puts it? Isn’t an atheist whose job entails making sure that the finances of vulnerable adult’s are being managed properly also contributing to the well-being of the people that God loves so much? He, too, is living out a calling by God in my book.
I don’t think one needs to be Christian to be used by God, and perhaps even called. Perhaps the gift of being Christian is knowing it, being aware that one is, indeed, called – maybe that’s what “ministry” designates – not simply doing something worthwhile, but doing so with an awareness that one is, indeed, called, invited, commissioned, sent.
I love today’s post. Not only for the tasty treats and recipe, but also for talking about vocation.
Helping people understand vocation and call is my passion. In my congregation I served as the director of volunteer ministry. Please note the term ministry, for that is precisely the point.
I know this may be “preaching to the choir”, but working preachers need to time and again preach that we are called in baptism to let our light shine. Put another way, we are each not only claimed as children of God, but also as unique creations gifted to help God’s marvelous creation reach fruition.
Therefore, an important part the mission of the church is to help disciples understand that vocation and calling is for everyone. The church is in a unique position to encourage the discovery of one’s giftedness, and then to think about where those gifts might be put to use, not just within the “church” but in how one lives out a dynamic vocation every day, at home, school, work, in the grocery check out line.
Intentional vocational training/awareness starts early, and is constantly renewed through the seasons of life. This is an important key to the church being a vibrant, living witness into the future.
Peace,
Dee
At the risk of seeming a pest, actually, I call it being passionate, I would ask if one reason parish pastors have good intentions re encouraging their congregations to vocation are at the same time perhaps not sure how to get that accomplished?
There are some very practical approaches to establishing a “gifts” culture within a congregation. And, not piling it upon the already sagging desk of the pastor. 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful thoughts and devotion. I think the ideas shared here are right on as well: calling as something present in everyone’s life & part of being a Christian is not only recognizing our called nature, but acting on it. I think part of helping people discern (to use a church-y word) their vocation is to help them explore or challenge them to see HOW they can embrace God’s mission in their everyday actions and careers. What a wonderful chance for God-talk if that avenue is offered and investigated in a setting like a worship service or even over coffee. Cheers and thanks again!
I’ve found Frederick Buechner’s remarks on “vocation” extremely helpful. The distinguishing test to which he puts the ‘different kinds of voices calling’ us all to different kinds of work, whether God’s or Society’s, involve two requirements:
(1) if the work is the kind you most need to do
(2) if the work is the kind the world most needs done
His belief is that “if you really get a kick out of your work,you’v met requirement 1, but if your work is writing TV deodorant commercials, chances are you’ve missed your chance re: requirement 2. On the other hand, if you work as a doctor in a leper colony, you’ve met requirement 2, but if you’re bored and/or depressed by it, you’ve bypassed requirement 1 and probably aren’t helping your patients much either.
In summary he says, “the place God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meets.”
I seem to remember Leonard Sweet stating that “voice” or vocem is at the root of vocatio. This makes one’s calling an acoustical art. It involves finding one’s voice. Good pastoral leadership always helps others find their middle C.