Two Vocations

The English word vocation comes from the Latin, vocatio, which means “calling”. Early on, the Reformers argued strenuously that every believer in Christ has two callings, or vocations.

 A primary vocation called discipleship, the bringing of all of one’s life—every aspect—under the Lordship of Christ. From the fulfilling of that vocation, then flows a secondary vocation; the divine call to the missio Dei—assisting in God’s mission in the world in four ways, by:

• fulfilling the Creation Mandate (Genesis 1:28),

• the building up of Christ’s church,

• seeking the common good; and

• the simple, but noble, pursuit of one’s ordinary day-to-day-work.

 For some, educators and students alike—even young children—their secondary calling is worked out largely in colleges, universities, public and private schools, and the home.

 This Sunday, not only will we consider the cost of discipleship, but as we begin a new academic year, we’re going to bless and commission those who are specifically called to the classroom.