Unit 6 Discussion: Reflections on the Interpretation Journal Articles

[randyturpin]

Select two or three statements or concepts from the Interpretation journal that seemed especially important to you personally. How might God be speaking to you through the presentation of these statements or concepts?

[SunnyE]

The ultimate goal of creation, then, is that all people would rediscover their vocation in the world and acknowledge its true source.

I read the articles by Grieb and Spencer, but the article that most challenged me in this issue was THE CALLED LIFE by Lischer.  Too often, I get caught up in all of the logistical steps necessary to arrive at my "vocation," and overlook or at least am not always actively mindful of the fact that it is a calling that has been entrusted to me by God.  One quote in particular,

It's not better performers the church needs, but truer characters,

stood out.  It is so easy in ministry to become "performance oriented."  I have at times allowed this type of thinking to prevent me from stepping out and serving the church in a particular way, attributing it to my insecurities.  However, I was insecure because the opinions of others around me mattered too much to me at that time.  Also, by the opposite token, there have been times when I did step out into a more visible role and have received a lot of praise or positive feedback for it. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, but I have been guilty of finding too much satisfaction and identity in it at times.  It is a struggle for me to always keep the focus off of improving performance and onto developing more character.    

This idea was further developed by looking at Paul's model of ministry:Paul understood the ministry as an extension of of Christ's death and resurrection.  It therefore entails a daily dying to those qualities coveted most by our culture and a daily rising to Christ's astonishing presence among us.

I believe that God was speaking to me through this article, that as I am on this exciting journey of discovering and developing my gifts, that my priorities stay in focus.

[erichandem]

Jesus is closed minded.  I can prove it.  John 14:6 says, “I (Jesus) am the way, truth and life; no one (not anyone) comes to the Father (God) but by Me!”  Jesus also refers to life in John 10:10 when He says that the thief comes to kill and destroy but I have come that you (all of us) may have life (eternal life is implied) and have it more abundantly.”  James A. Brashler in one of his articles writes about Jesus’ call in the synoptic and he raises three issues:
1. Fishers for the Kingdom of God and not the Roman Empire. Fish in the Kingdom  are caught for life not to die and be devoured!
2. Eating with tax collectors, prostitutes, Levi’s and Zaccheus.
3. Leaving the dead-vs. cultural norms especially for Jews (spiritually dead, apocalyptic or metaphor?)
The beauty of God’s call is we are all invited to come to Him.  He says, “Come to me all, all of you who are heavy/burdened and I will give you rest.”  Jesus promises that is yolk (“work load”) is easy and light!  However, the following Christ calls us for is to die just as Christ did!  We MUST deny our self and take up the cross.  Paul calls for us in Philippians 1:21
Philippians 1:21
For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.
       

Jesus invitation for most of us in the seminary setting is vocational in the ministry arena.  But for many others vocation is ‘secular’ and they have a ripe harvest field everyday that many of us in the ministry vocation only get to reach on Sunday and Wednesday.  Christ did not care about the cultural norms, but cared about being the Word made flesh, the Kingdom of God and paid the price for you and me.  The story ends with Christ resurrecting so that we are invited to resurrect one day at the Parousia (end times/eschatology).  Jesus was with the fishermen (by vocation) who stunk like fish and sweat because of their vocations, he was with the hated tax collectors when he broke bread and ate with them and Jesus was around despised prostitutes (he even allowed one to wash His feet with perfume and dry them with her hair).  Finally, He was with the religious and holy ones in and out of the temples and synagogues; teaching about the true Kingdom that was there in front of them and also yet to come!  
We all share a common vocation---Go (implied, we will go and are going and will go) into all the world, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Making disciples; from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria to the uttermost parts of the Earth.  We are to pray in our vocation---“Your Kingdom come and Your will be done!”  We are all called (vocation should line up with our call) to be followers of Christ and Christ is inviting us!  

[Emily Hall]

The first statement that was important to me was the definition of vocation.  I think we use the term so often in the content of what people do for a living that we forget the true meaning.  For example, one might ask a person, what is his/her vocation?  That person would most likely reply with their job title or where they work.  However, the definition clearly states that vocation is “a call” or “summons.”  Some people work at places where they don’t felt called to be or where they don’t have any passion for their occupation.  The second statement that was personally significant: “Religious people sometimes assume that a calling from God necessarily requires a person to become a pastor, Christian educator, missionary, or pastoral counselor.”  Being raised in the church I feel that some believers don’t think they are called from God unless they are in the ministry, and I used to be one of those believers.  However, over years of education and maturation I have come to the realization that that statement is completely wrong.  In fact many people in the secular world have a better chance of sharing God’s love and mercy because they come into contact with more non-Christians each day.  I believe God is speaking to me through these statements so I can open my eyes and realize we don’t need every Christian to become a teacher, preacher, or missionary; however, each Christian does have a call on their life to tell others about Jesus in their daily routines.            

[Emily Hall]

Erichandem

I agree with you that Christ did not care about who he hung out with or ate with all He cared about was sharing God's word with everyone.  He showed us the best example of how we should live our lives and perform our "vocation."  We should be preaching His word where ever we are and whatever we are doing.  It doesn't matter if we are a preacher or an accountant.  

[Chadrick]

The opening statement of the article is where I will begin. "The origin of the priestly vocation in the Bible is the Holiness of God". This to me was like fresh breath of air...Knowing that our "call" orginates not from man, but from the very Wholeness and holiness of God. We have so mis-often used holiness as a sort of weapon in the church of God, that men don't really understand the true spiritual value of it's meaning. To understand that God as pure as He is, can take "people" like us and transform us into instruments of holiness is truly amazing.

Indeed I toatlly agree with the article when it states..."holiness has the ability to destory or to transform humans." I beleive that lives can be lost in an instant if the holiness of God is misused or misguided. This is why it is so important that the role of the priest be fulfilled on planet Earth. People need to understand that God is a Holy God and desires His people to be the same. We so often come into the pressence of God with out even thinking about or reverencing His holiness. I can honestly say that this article (although I may have interpreted it differently than some) brought conviction to me personally. I looked back over the last 17 years of ministry and thought "oh my...how many times have I half-heartly came into your pressence, and even ministered to others this way.              (Forgive me for my transparency.)

God has called us all to be "preist" so the world can know Him and expereince Him in His fullness. May our "Sanctuaries" be holy places so His spirit can be mobilized all around the world. Holiness is not hardness regardless of what you were taught...Holiness is wholeness  in the presence of God. And Wholeness will light up your face like Moses as he left the mountain...Light us up lord, and let us live a life of holiness and become the priestly generation you desire us to be!  

[stev]

I I agree with the statement,” the ultimate goal of creation, then, is that all people would rediscover their vocation in the world and acknowledge its true source. If we all operated in our calling we would accomplish more and certainly be more fulfilled.  Acknowledging and knowing the true source connects us to God and it is he who sends us in the harvest.

[stev]

Emily I agree with your statement, people work at places where they don’t felt called to be or where they don’t have any passion for their occupation. The zeal and passion exemplify by the Apostle Paul had a lot to do with his great success and bold courage. May we be engage in our individual call and in a place where our life can count for the most.

[Emily Hall]

That is so true.  Many people feel that they are supposed to be a certain thing when they grow up.  Maybe because that is what their parents were or maybe because that is what their parents pushed them to be.  In any case if a person is not passionate about their occupation then they are just living life going through the motions.  

[Jason Sharpe]

Chad,  

I too had to look back on past experiences, and in sometimes failures to God, simply because I only gave Him a portion of what he deserved.  How many times have we begged for something to give to the people or in my case students, after only minutes of prayer.  Then we think he isnt hearing us.  I have found that the more time I spend with Him the easier it is to hear His voice and to get that clear direction He desires for each of us to have.  Thanks for sharing this because I thought I was the only one that thought that way every know and then.  

Jason

[Rob Baker]

I found the readings from the journal very interesting. The article that most resonated with me was the one written by Kathleen O’Conner on Jeremiah. Jeremiah’s relationship with God was one of complete honesty. He was not afraid to question God, or to express his anger and disappointment concerning circumstances that did not turn out the way he had anticipated. O’Conner states, “His calling itself is the cause of his immense pain.” I can relate to his desire to “quit” his calling and lead a normal life. Of course, he is unable to do so because of the “burning fire shut up in my bones. I am weary with holding it, and I cannot” (Jeremiah 20:9). I especially appreciate O’Conner’s description of Jeremiah after his angry stage. She writes, “After Jeremiah passes through his angry and bitter vocational despair, he ends his prayer with the renewed confidence in God typical of the lament form. He proclaims that God is with him and he himself will prevail over his enemies. He has moved through his darkness to a deeper faith.”

The article entitled “The Priestly Vocation,” by Thomas B. Dozeman, also intrigued me. I was especially drawn to his statement, “The priestly vocation describes the status of a select group of humans, the priests, who become holy through sacramental ritual, allowing them to work safely in the presence of God in order to mediate holiness to the whole people of God.”  Once again, we are reminded that the role of the minister is primarily for the edification of the body of Christ.

Finally, I found myself struggling to accept the tone of the article “Follow Me,” by F. Scott Spencer. From the very beginning of the article, Scott paints a picture of a non-caring, demanding Jesus, who is only interested in his own agenda, and not the people whom he is calling to fulfill that agenda. Notice his very pointed statement, “Jesus displays audacious personal authority in summoning his followers to join him in advancing the kingdom of God. He does not negotiate with disciples.” I cannot disagree with the statement, but it also does not take into consideration that Jesus was also very interested in lovingly developing these men that he had called to discipleship. I do understand the overall intention of the article, but it was still somewhat difficult for me to read.

[erichandem]

The editoral in the journal begins with the definition of vocation according to dicitionaries.  The writer puts that vocation as a "call" or "summons" to perform a certain task (Interpretation, 2005).  This definition of vocation is relevant to us as Christians because we try to not choose careers or walks of life unless we feel as though God has called or summoned us to the particular career.  In thinking of vocation as a "call" or "summons" gives me a different perspective of why I am pursuing my dream of Marriage and Family Therapy.  

I know that I have chosen my degree track because I have a passion for helping and building strong families.  Without a "summons" or "call" from God I would not have chosen this path for myself.  When I applied to the University of Kentucky I applied as a Chemical Engineer Major.  When I went for my tour of the College of Engineering, I looked at my mother half way through the tour and said, "This is not for me."  That day I changed my major to undeclared.  Then about 3 weeks into the semester I declared my major as Psychology.  The more Psychology classes I took the more I realized I wanted to work wtih families.  So I prayed that God would take control and lead me where he wants me to be.  As I was looking at the Interpretation Journal, especially reading the editoral, I felt as though God was telling me I am right where he wants me.  Now that I am realizing that my short lived dream of becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist is under way, I am looking at this dream as my "call" instead of using the term "vocation".  

God Bless,
Em Lacks

[erichandem]

Chadrick,
I agree with you that our "call" comes from God.  As I posted in my response, I wouldn't be here unless God had directed me to Marriage and Family Therapy.  I think that we cannot find a successful "call" for ourselves unless it is directed by God and his holiness that he has over us.  

Em Lacks

[Jason Sharpe]

After reading this article I think one of the statements that is made, "Jesus' call to discipleship preempts all other commitments," is very powerful.  How many times do we as Christians forget how much the costs of discipleships truly costs.  At times, we fail to honor God with all of ourselves and feel that we can just get by with a little bit of who we are.  There is no doubt in my mind that God has called each of us to live with higher standards towards living and that we must make the call the highest priority in our lives.  The call to me first means serving and loving Him above any other.  This too is often hard in the lives of Christians.  In student ministry, as well as others, it seems to be key just to get students to focus on God at least one time a day.  We must make a daily decision to "follow Him."  One of the other statements that I found to be very true is that "many honor God's claim on their lives by becoming faithful stewerds..."  I know this statement goes on to say in the secular world, but I think this is for us a ministers as well.  If we are not faithful over the positions that God has allowed us to be in then why would we ever dream of recieving the fullness of God's plans.  We must make an intentional effort to be faithful to what he has called us to do and not fall short at the simple tasks that may come with job.  I have often found myself in positions that have allowed me to do such things as mow the grass, take out the trash, and clean the restrooms.  Even though these tasks may not seem part of ministry, these are things that have to be done and we must take every task given to us as our faithfullness towards God and do them with all that we have in us.  Overall, this article has challenged me to look closely at my priorities and remember whatever may come my way, I must do it with all that I have.  For even the least of projects could produce the greatest result.  God teach me to always give my very best no matter what the circumstance.  

[Daniel Oscar]

Each of these articles is for great blessing to reflect on the ministerial vocation. The "Priestly Vocation" T.B. Dozeman, the statement that the priestly vocation is for the entire people of God touched me deeply. That is based on 1st Peter 2:9. That is extremely important to understand, because separate Christian life in priestly life and secular life stops the moral and spiritual impact of the Church in the society. Many Christians live a segmented faith therefore they separate their faith from their job, family, business and social or political life, but if they understand that there should be no such separation, but have an integrated faith which  moderates our actions producing transformation in all areas of life. When believers understand their priestly mission in secular environments will cause more and major impacts in the name of God. Moreover when priests understand that other believers are also ministers, they will be able to better equip them to exercise their priesthood where God has placed them. It also happens that many priests believe they are half time minister because they have to work in secular job for their livelihood, but when we understand the integral character of the vocation, we will assume the job only as a way of raising funds to support the ministry,  also other purposes that God can have with this issue.

Daniel Oscar

[Daniel Oscar]

The article by K. M. O'Connor about the Prophet Jeremiah also has connection with the issue of “The priestly vocation” and goes beyond the people with calling, but points to the cosmovision of the prophetic calling. I like the approach that God is Creator of nations and the cosmos. For this reason, the men of God that we are not called upon to think locally and simply to see decisions and baptisms in a local church. The calling is to have a biblical cosmovision (worldview) affecting the values that drive the actions and attitudes of human beings to reach a harvest of nations, cultures and generations that honor and glorify God

Daniel Oscar

[Daniel Oscar]

F. Scout bases his article "Follow me" inspired in the imperious call of Jesus in the synoptic gospels, developing a textual outline according to the evangelical chorus "I have decided to follow Christ" to make emphasis individual and volitional character of the discipleship. However, thinking that Jesus is the caller, I see a combination of election and decision. One calls and the other accepts to follow. This reminds me the apostle Paul who said that we are partners of God.

[Rob Baker]

I agree that Believers need to acknowledge and operate in their vocational calling. Then, and only then, will we impact the world for Christ. For too many years, we have led dual lives. We have been the people of God at church, but somehow forgot to live the lifestyle among non-believing people. It is time that we reestablish our presence in the world.

[Rob Baker]

Having served as a pastor for many years (prior to my current position), I am personally aware of the great need for solid Christian marriage counselors. I think that having healthy families in the church is one of the keys to spiritual success. I am glad to hear that you have discovered your calling and gift to the body of Christ. In this role, you have the anility to make a powerful impact upon the body of Christ.