Exploring Vocation?
After Sunday is committed to helping people explore their particular vocation as a member of the body of the Church. God is at the heart of who we are and we respond to his call to us to join him in his kingdom building work in the world.
Sometimes the idea of vocation is too often limited to those who in the ‘gathered church’ have a calling to ordained or licensed ministry or to join religious orders. The word ministry is often used to define a particular role in the church.
In the wider world, the term vocation is used, less so now, by people in occupations where service and care of others are central. For example traditionally doctors, nurses, teachers etc had vocations but bank managers and shop keepers probably didn’t. We still live with a limited idea of vocation that has a hierarchy implicit within it. This hierarchy can be unconsciously communicated in who we pray for and who we regard as being in a 'caring' profession.
Cartoon © Dave Walker/www.cartoonchurch.com
After Sunday believes that it is vital that all Christians explore the question of their vocation and discover how that is to be worked out in the world.
We hope that you will find the After Sunday project to be a helpful and encouraging resource as you explore your sense of calling in whatever form it takes.
There is an old Chrisatin tradition that God sends each person into this world with a special message to deliver, with a special song to sing for others, with a special act of love to bestow. No one else can speak my mesage, or sing my song, or offer my act of love. these are entrusted only to me.
John Powell, Through Seasons of the Heart