Mission and Vocation: Where has God called you to serve?

by Jacob Quast

The mission of the Church remains forever the same: to share the Great Evangel (Gospel), the message of Jesus Christ crucified for sinners. This is accomplished by individual Christians through their many and varied daily vocations. The word “vocation” in English originates from the Latin word vocare, meaning “to call.” As we go about our daily lives, into whatever vocations God has currently called us to serve, we are given opportunities to share the love of Jesus with others: whether that be in the Estate of the Family, the State, or the Church. Primarily, however, we rejoice that each of us Christians has been called by God to faith in Jesus.

Vocation: The Call to Faith in Christ

In his explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed, Martin Luther teaches us that Christians individually and the entire Church together is called by the Holy Spirit to faith in Jesus. We confess: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel… just as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth.” 

The Holy Spirit calls people through the Word and the Sacraments to convert them from unbelief to faith through the reception of the Gospel Word of Christ crucified. So, the Christian’s primary “call” or “vocation” in life is that of being a Christian—a recipient of God’s grace in Jesus. Therefore, St. Paul exhorts us to “not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord… who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace” (2 Timothy 2:8-9). No matter where you find yourself—in whatever life situation—remember, you are a baptized believer in Jesus! That is the heart and centre of your identity.

One Vocation Leads to Another

While our primary vocation above all others is being a disciple of Jesus, this vocation permeates other callings/vocations in our lives in the aforementioned “Three Estates”—vocations such as citizen, parent, child, worker, employer, sibling, church member, and so forth. At the root of all of our other vocations lies the call we have received to faith in Jesus.

In all our vocations, we are given opportunities by the Spirit to share our faith in Christ with others. The mission field is everywhere around us in our vocations. And every vocation gives us the opportunity to advance the mission of the Church. Parents and grandparents read the Scriptures to their children and grandchildren. Coworkers pray with and for one another. Citizens speak on moral and ethical issues according to biblical truth. Congregation members serve the church in order to bless the wider body of Christ. 

Called to Use One’s Gifts in Service

The Holy Spirit not only calls us to faith, He also empowers us with many and various gifts to be used in the service of others. St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians emphasizes this: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (4:1,7).

Having called us to a life of faith and service in the Church and world, God further equips us with gifts for use in our daily vocations. Whether we are pounding nails into boards to help in a construction project, baking a casserole for a sick neighbour, or praying with a friend in need, all Christians have been given gifts to help and serve their neighbour. In vocational service, then, we are given opportunities to share and demonstrate the love of God for all people in Jesus. As Jesus said: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

The Church’s Great Vocation

The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is not a command “to go,” but rather an exhortation and encouragement that—“as you are going”—we make disciples by baptizing and teaching. That’s the vocation of pastors particularly, but the wider body of Christ is also invited to share the Gospel with others “as we are going.” We get to tell people about Jesus! We proclaim all that Jesus has told us in His Word and live our lives in all our vocations according to the Scriptures. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the mission of the Church grows as Christians use their God-given gifts to serve their neighbour in love. What joy! What a privilege! What a call! What a vocation!

—————

Rev. Jacob Quast is the Director of Domestic Missions of Lutheran Church–Canada.

Print this article