I can’t tell you how disappointing it was when, at age 22, I finally made the decision to pursue a “secular” career instead of going into the ministry. Rather than embracing a bold confidence in the choice, I had this sinking feeling that I was somehow letting God down. The pathetic part is, I prayed, fasted, and tried every which way to make myself want to work in ministry – but it just didn’t click. There was this nagging intuition telling me it... Read more
Every now and then it’s good to take an enormous step back and evaluate where you are in life. My friend Rob did this for me over breakfast the other day. You’d like Rob. He is a smart, successful, energetic, forty-something investment banker. The whole package, you might say. Or, what I once assumed was the whole package, but now I know better. Anyway, I’ve gotten to know him through some business and professional dealings over the past few years,... Read more
“The purpose of art and religion are the same,”Kenyon Adams said. I held my breath and leaned onto the edge of my seat. “Transformation.” I was sitting in a workshop at a conference in the middle of February, one of the oldest faces amidst a sea of college students. It wasn’t the first time I’d attended a breakout session led by Adams, a performing artist and arts advocate currently pursuing graduate studies in theology and art at Yale Divinity School. But this one,... Read more
“I was repeatedly hearing back from congregants, ‘Thank God somebody is caring about this!’” That is what one pastor said was the result of becoming intentional about encouraging his congregation in their vocations. In my research for a doctoral dissertation, I’ve been interviewing pastors around the country who have made a concerted effort to proclaim that every Christian has a high calling from God in their daily work. Due to the nature of the research, the pastors must remain anonymous. I’ve enjoyed the stories that they... Read more
She wanted to sign up for volleyball this winter. Then again, she didn’t. I watched my daughter from across the kitchen table, while our waffles grew cold. The sign-up sheet and a ballpoint pen sat between us, next to the syrup bottle. “It would be fun—sooo much fun, Mom!” Her face lit up like a flashing LED display. “And my best friends will be on the team, and they’ll help me work on my serve.” With a swoop of the arm,... Read more
In 2012 and 2013, I helped to lead a “Vocation Infusion Learning Community” composed of church leaders from 15 congregations nationwide. Our shared vision was to explore how better to equip parishioners for the robust integration of faith and work. Some of the lessons we learned are described below. 1. Preaching and Teaching Leaders can help to cast vision for how the congregants’ daily work connects to God’s work. This can be accomplished through preaching and teaching about the various... Read more
3 reasons why pastors need to help people reintegrate their faith with their work. While I was speaking to a gathering of young professionals, one of them raised his hand and said, “I am struggling to understand why anything in my normal routine matters. I know why I come to church and read the Bible, but I don’t see any lasting value in my job, cooking a nice meal, or cleaning my apartment.” I appreciated the man’s honesty, and... Read more
In this 60-second video, Tod Bolsinger talks about how churches make the mistake of perpetuating a “sacred / secular” dualism. If the gospel is the good news of the Kingdom of God, then each and every human is called to leadership – no matter what his or her vocation happens to be. Tod is a consultant and executive coach at TAG Consulting, and is transitioning from being the Senior Pastor and Head of Staff at San Clemente Presbyterian Church to... Read more
We are pleased to announce that the newest book by Steven Garber, Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good (InterVarsity Press, $16.00.) which is scheduled for a March release, is now available at Hearts & Minds Books. This is something very, very special. There had been rumors for years that Steve was working on this book, but now it is a reality! Among many of our most astute BookNotes readers, it will doubtlessly be the publishing event of... Read more
In this insightful video, the church as it relates to the people of God participating in the Kingdom of God is explained. Thanks, Calvin King, for posting this to YouTube. Read more
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