VOCATIONAL CALLING ISN’T JUST FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME MINISTRY

Vocational calling isn’t just for those in full-time ministry. And yet, when you hear that phrase, most people are referring to those “who are going into the ministry.” Which is interesting, because most people have a category for seeing all of life, including what you do, as ministry. Luther is famous for saying that you could be any profession – butcher, baker, or candlestick maker – for the glory of God.

And yet we in secular jobs often leave the discussion about calling to those in full-time ministry, forgetting that we ourselves are in full-time ministry, too. While there is plenty of talk and many books written on the subject of pastors, missionaries, and para-church workers in discerning and utilizing one’s spiritual gifts, the topic of secular jobs and spirituality is usually limited to one of the following lines of thought:

· Being faithful in one’s job (i.e. don’t cheat, don’t be a workaholic)
· Witnessing in the workplace (i.e. seeing your office as a mission field)
· Making money to support others (i.e. your role in ministry is to write checks)

And all of these functions are important, vitally so. But why aren’t we who are in secular jobs as diligent about understanding our spiritual gifts and what office functions those gifts lend themselves to? Why don’t we ask for our friends and fellow congregants to lay hands on us to commission us for the work we do to provide legal assistance or tend to sick people or lay concrete? Why do we think that our role as Christians in our jobs has everything to do with being a Christian at our job or making money to support the “real” ministers, instead of seeing our work activities as contributing to the kingdom of God and the glory of His Name?

If Luther is right, we are all in full-time ministry, both in our personal conduct and the company we keep, as well as in the output of our labors. A pastor may feed ears and tend to souls, and a missionary may proclaim good news in a dark place; but teachers, secretaries, cooks, and repair people also have a high calling. May we expand our discussions on discerning God’s call on our lives to include these and all other vocations.