Calling & work ethic

We continued our discussion on calling and clarified that while there is only a single calling for all, that does not mean we all do the same things. It's one body with many parts. While a pastor may have different responsibilities, we are all equal before God.

The idea that there is only one calling is one of the points of the Reformation and has implications beyond work. If we are all called, we can all approach our God directly without the need for special priests. Conversely since work is equally holy to God, secular work (i.e. tending to creation) is not a second class endeavour. We are to treat creation, i.e. the environment, with as much care as we treat our "Christian" work.

Our main group discussion question was "What is your calling and how do you know?" The emphasis is on the "how do you know"? As most of us are likely to be living within the will of God, the struggle is in knowing God. Just like school, the answer itself of what is our calling is only worth part-marks; we need to show our work on how we got the answer. Furthermore, the elements of a calling are in essence elements of knowing God's will. We concluded the same process applies to major life decisions such as marriage or moving.

After her visit last week, Tanya received that week from her seminary this newsletter on calling. Very appropriate for our discussion.

We then discussed how if work is part of our calling, we must work hard. This is the root of the so-called "Protestant work ethic". Verses exhorting us to work hard are available on request. It is important to have a balanced view of the work ethic and we disussed some of the limitations.

One test of whether we are working hard enough is to take money out of the equation. Do we work as hard as we did when we were in school and weren't paid? Do we work harder when we get a pay increase or prospects of a promotion?

In a separate post I'll summarize "Why tentmakers are arrogant" as a application of work ethic and the understanding of our calling.