How are you called?
a ministry & vocational discernment guide
Hi! I’m Rev. Pete James.
You may be wrestling right now with what God is calling you to do with your life.
In my role as pastor-in-residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I assist students in discerning God’s call.
There are two calls in Scripture to encourage and guide us during these times of decision. I offer you these introductory thoughts and questions for further reflection and invite you to connect with us.
The First Call of Scripture
Your Call to Someone
The first and foremost call in Scripture is to someone, namely Jesus! Jesus calls people to himself. Before he calls us to take up his mission, Jesus invites us to come to him.
When I resolved to follow Christ, I thought my problems would be solved. What was I thinking? I was soon confronted with behaviors and attitudes that I needed to change.
C. S. Lewis devoted a chapter of Mere Christianity to the question: Is Christianity hard or easy? Jesus’s words about denying self and taking up the cross are hard. If truth be told, I want to amuse, pamper, and promote myself. Yet Lewis also observed Jesus said his yoke was easy and his burden light. So, which is it? Hard or easy? It’s both. Following Jesus is hard, and taking up our cross requires sacrifice, yet we rest in the promise of Christ’s abiding presence. His yoke is easy.
Important questions to ask:
- How might Jesus be calling you to himself right now?
- What can you intentionally do to deepen your connection to Jesus?
- Who can help you grow closer to Jesus?
Read & Reflect on: Mark 8:34–38
The Second Call of Scripture
Your Call to Something
The second and derivative calling in Scripture is to something, namely our work. Sometimes the word “calling” is used to describe people who work full-time in the church, but the Bible never suggests that clergy and missionaries are the only ones called. The first person filled with the Spirit in the Bible is not a priest, but a craftsman named Bezalel (Ex. 36:31). Vocation derives from the Latin word for calling. God has given all believers a vocation to add meaning and value to God’s world.
What God is calling you to do likely has something to do with what you most enjoy doing. Frederick Buechner speaks about God’s call as the intersection of what we most want to do and what the world most needs to have done.
Important questions to ask:
- What do you most like to do? Don’t gloss over this question; take it seriously.
- How do your likes intersect with needs in the world?
- Who can help you answer the previous questions?
Read & Reflect on: Romans 12:1–2
So, how are you called to serve?
Seminary is an ideal place to deepen and explore these callings in the company of other like- minded people who are in the process of answering Jesus’ call. We at Gordon-Conwell are committed to helping you answer the call.
- Biblical Grounding
- Theological Framework
- Spiritual Formation
- Global Vision
- Ministry Skills
Additional Resources
PDF Guide:
“Vocation: Discerning Your Calling”
Collection of Videos, Audios & More
“Tim Keller Resources” at gcts.edu
“Youth Ministers, Yes – You Should Consider an MDiv (And Here’s Why)”
Chelsea Kingston Erickson (MDiv ‘15)
“Why Seminary? Some Historical Reflections”
Dr. David Wells, longtime theology professor
“The Student Experience at Gordon-Conwell”
Su Kim (MDiv ‘19)
Alumni Spotlight Interviews
Hear from Gordon-Conwell alumni who are serving in a broad range of vocations.
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