Reflections on Call - Intro

 One of my favorite parts of my vocation is seeing new faces coming into ministry - hearing new voices and new stories.  The word "call" is used a lot, especially in those committees that are tasked with approving candidates for ministry.  We often ask candidates to articulate their call and this question often gives them pause.  They usually provide fine answers, but you can see the wheels turning as they seek to give voice to exactly why they want to do the work of ministry.   It can be a hard question to answer and even now, 20 years after hearing God calling me into the ministry, I still grapple at times with the exact shape of what God has called me to do.

One particular focal point of our conference and something that I've heard our Bishop state on several occasions is the "culture of call".  How do we talk to our parishoners (especially our young people) about God's call?  What do we mean when we use that word?  What exactly is a "culture of call"?  I'll admit that while I've given much thought and prayer to God's call in my life, I have not really examined the concept of "call" itself.  I've heard it and used it quite uncritically as long as vocational ministry has been a reality in my life.  I simply haven't given it much thought.  I'm thinking some theological reflection might be beneficial.  Over the next few weeks (maybe months), my hope is to "think out loud" on this blog and spend some time thinking about what it means to be "called"(this rambling post will serve as an "introduction" of sorts).

In thinking about the concept of "call", I do want to make an important distinction.  I believe that people are called to vocations and ways of living and not only to ministry.  However, in these posts I'm going to focus on the call to ministry as I've experienced it and observed it in others.  Our starting point will be Scripture - a good place to start, I think. 

The first "real" entry will look at three call stories from Genesis: Noah, Abraham, and Jacob.  These three stories are good entry points to talk about what "call" might look like in the Old Testament.  Over the next few weeks, I hope to look at Moses, Gideon, Samuel, David, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.  After these, I plan to move in the New Testament, focusing on Jesus' mission, his teachings that might relate to call, and then finishing with Saul/Paul.  That's what's on the immediate horizon…

I have had a history of starting something on my blog and then not blogging for 2 years.  I hope that this won't be the case this time…

If you're reading this, thanks!  Glad you're here! 

Grace and Peace,

Wes