Calling and Vocation pt.II – Summary and Continued Discussion

Today’s discussion was intended to shed light on the questions and problems that arise for two groups:

1) those who have concluded there is no biblical prohibition on women in regard to preaching or teaching.

2) those who have concluded there is no biblical prohibition on women in regard to Sr. leadership.

and in particular, how these questions and problems affect a woman’s engagement in not only discerning her calling and vocation, but in preparing for and engaging in ministry.

It was recognized that many will still want to debate the relevant biblical texts, and that discussing “what happens” when a woman preaches or leads might not be a relevant discussion for those who do not believe they should. Nevertheless, for others, these factors do play a role in discerning calling and vocation.

What other observations and questions came to mind that we were not able to discuss? What follow up conversations would you like to have?

 

Calling and Vocation – Pt. 1

Calling and Vocation PowerPoint – Don Payne

Summary of a few points from today’s discussion:

• The range of vocational choices available to us is historically unprecedented.  Most people in the world do not have or have not had the luxury of thinking about their sense of “fulfillment” in what they do.  They are preoccupied with surviving or getting by.
• Having to work apart from a sense of value or calling can be experienced as a tremendous loss or “death” when we have previously known the joy of that integration.
• It is easy to avoid taking responsibility for our lives and decisions by hiding behind passionate requests that God show us what to do.
• God has given some the gift of simply enjoying or delighting in what we do.  As Christians we can come to a place of thinking differently about others and ourselves in the context of what we do, as well as our tasks in and of themselves.

Question for continued reflection: In what way(s) does our understanding of calling and vocation reflect or affect our understanding of God?