Calling & Personal Vocation
Posted by Brian | Labels: Calling | Posted On Friday, August 6, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Calling. This is something that I've heard thrown around since coming to Christ. It seems as though there is a rift created between those “called into the ministry” and those everyone else. I’d like to unpack this sense of calling for a few minutes, and explore what could be viewed as three vocations or callings to which all Christians are called. Over the next weeks, we will be exploring the Personal and Christian Vocation, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Personal Vocation.
It is with the Puritans in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that we first encounter a systematic distinction between the call placed on all Christians and a specific call which God places on an individual. In the New Testament, there is no specific doctrine of calling to a particular task but rather, it is out of Greek dualism that we see a differentiation between the Marys and Marthas. From the dawn of Christianity through the middle ages, Christians did not seek any sort of divine revelation to determine calling, but rather it was out of economic status or generational vocation that calling was established. It was assumed that people were actually called into royalty, serfdom, wealth or poverty and people of faith were to operate within those capacities in accordance to the manner all Christians are expected to operate. Later, Luther embraced a bold and new translation of 1 Corinthians 7:17 and applied it to all occupations and applied the call to all Christians. Luther stressed that calling is the duty of serving God by faith according to the Word in one’s situation. Note this does not point to a career, but rather something that everyone should do no matter their place in life.
John Calvin later established two forms of calling, the call of salvation and the call of ministry. The Puritans then built on Calvin and emphasized calling as “the particular dutie [sp] which God requires of us in our estates." There was a balance achieved between duties and occupation. In that culture, though, the concept of family business was heavily engrained, and the only avenue by which one could escape following in the footsteps of a family trade was to pursue a vocational call in the church. This has essentially led us to our current understanding that there is a unique call wherein people feel led to pursue a specific role; more often than not leading to being a pastor or missionary. In our modern culture, the sense of calling to a profession has spread to other professions, such as medical professional, care-giver, school teacher, and other positions of influence where our culture can assume to clearly do God’s work.
This notion is an interesting one, as it seems to limit what professions one may feel called. This leads to the question of, "Does everyone receive a call?" After all, if everyone receives a call, and yet a calling is usually attributed to select professions, then what is a Christian to do who is not inclined toward these fields?
There are four different calls which can emerge in our lives that will determine the path by which we serve. The first is the “The Effectual Call of Christ to Become a Disciple.” This is the process of discipleship and deepening of our relationship with Christ. Within this call, some might arrive at the realization in an instant and never look back. Others will take their time, growing in a slow eb and flow motion, and slowly work into a rhythm, embracing the spiritual disciplines. It is however, a fundamental call that applies to all healthy, growing Christians.
The second is our “Providential Calling.” It is here we look to discern the providential hand of God in our lives, background, education, personality, and the opportunities that unfold in our lives with the Almighty to discover our calling.
The third is “The Charismatic Call.” The Charismatic Call is geared toward the gifting and talents we possess. These can be skilled trade abilities, leadership skills, anything that we have an overwhelming natural aptitude to do. As long as these skills can be done in unison with a healthy progression of discipleship, then these skills are of God and may very well be pointing us to the calling that God has ordained us to pursue.
Finally, there is the “Heart” call. It is this call which many people speaking about when they feel a burning desire to do something. This calling requires the most prayer and guidance, as it is one that will often make the least sense. Obedience to God is essential, but if one does not see any inherent skills that would support the calling, nor see God’s hand guiding them through life toward that destination, then prayer for discernment, guidance and confirmation should be sought.
In the next post in this series, we will explore the nature of the Christian Vocation, and then the fufilment of the Great Commission.
Personal Vocation.
It is with the Puritans in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that we first encounter a systematic distinction between the call placed on all Christians and a specific call which God places on an individual. In the New Testament, there is no specific doctrine of calling to a particular task but rather, it is out of Greek dualism that we see a differentiation between the Marys and Marthas. From the dawn of Christianity through the middle ages, Christians did not seek any sort of divine revelation to determine calling, but rather it was out of economic status or generational vocation that calling was established. It was assumed that people were actually called into royalty, serfdom, wealth or poverty and people of faith were to operate within those capacities in accordance to the manner all Christians are expected to operate. Later, Luther embraced a bold and new translation of 1 Corinthians 7:17 and applied it to all occupations and applied the call to all Christians. Luther stressed that calling is the duty of serving God by faith according to the Word in one’s situation. Note this does not point to a career, but rather something that everyone should do no matter their place in life.
John Calvin later established two forms of calling, the call of salvation and the call of ministry. The Puritans then built on Calvin and emphasized calling as “the particular dutie [sp] which God requires of us in our estates." There was a balance achieved between duties and occupation. In that culture, though, the concept of family business was heavily engrained, and the only avenue by which one could escape following in the footsteps of a family trade was to pursue a vocational call in the church. This has essentially led us to our current understanding that there is a unique call wherein people feel led to pursue a specific role; more often than not leading to being a pastor or missionary. In our modern culture, the sense of calling to a profession has spread to other professions, such as medical professional, care-giver, school teacher, and other positions of influence where our culture can assume to clearly do God’s work.
This notion is an interesting one, as it seems to limit what professions one may feel called. This leads to the question of, "Does everyone receive a call?" After all, if everyone receives a call, and yet a calling is usually attributed to select professions, then what is a Christian to do who is not inclined toward these fields?
There are four different calls which can emerge in our lives that will determine the path by which we serve. The first is the “The Effectual Call of Christ to Become a Disciple.” This is the process of discipleship and deepening of our relationship with Christ. Within this call, some might arrive at the realization in an instant and never look back. Others will take their time, growing in a slow eb and flow motion, and slowly work into a rhythm, embracing the spiritual disciplines. It is however, a fundamental call that applies to all healthy, growing Christians.
The second is our “Providential Calling.” It is here we look to discern the providential hand of God in our lives, background, education, personality, and the opportunities that unfold in our lives with the Almighty to discover our calling.
The third is “The Charismatic Call.” The Charismatic Call is geared toward the gifting and talents we possess. These can be skilled trade abilities, leadership skills, anything that we have an overwhelming natural aptitude to do. As long as these skills can be done in unison with a healthy progression of discipleship, then these skills are of God and may very well be pointing us to the calling that God has ordained us to pursue.
Finally, there is the “Heart” call. It is this call which many people speaking about when they feel a burning desire to do something. This calling requires the most prayer and guidance, as it is one that will often make the least sense. Obedience to God is essential, but if one does not see any inherent skills that would support the calling, nor see God’s hand guiding them through life toward that destination, then prayer for discernment, guidance and confirmation should be sought.
In the next post in this series, we will explore the nature of the Christian Vocation, and then the fufilment of the Great Commission.
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