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Christian Leadership Training Institute
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To Follow a CallingHelping people with Help From Above03/25/2000 -- Most adults take what jobs they can get. They settle for an occupation that pays, whether or not it satisfies ambitions and special aptitudes. It is sometimes said that all it takes to find one's calling is to see a want-ad and realize that one has the ability to fill it. Unfortunately.. such employment simplicity gets lost in the complications of what society expects. The process of finding "a calling," turns out to be a spur-or-the-moment, casual happenings which just came along and presented an opportunity. This gives an honored place to those whose motive is religious, and who regard what they do as actually done in God's own sight. They may even find their most significant work done outside their paid job, in community chores, at home, or in group avocations. Volunteer work may also prevent men and women from making an idol of their job, or from becoming workaholics. When people discover what is often called "intentional living," they can realize that both paid work and volunteer work take their place in a broad, person- serving interpretation of what human life is all about. in this sense, very many women and men today do have dimensions in their life and work which can be lifted up into a realization that all of us are indeed called by God in the working out of our careers. It may be that instead of being attracted to the commercial professions adults may wish to deal with the crucial problems of our day. The graph of spiritual arousement is always completely unpredictable. Possibly in the providence of God, a whole new upturn in the number and zeal of candidates lies just ahead. When modern-day people find themselves in personal trouble, where do they turn? Being open to human need in this way doesn't make for an easy life. Why mention these hazards common to many - though of course not all - careers in religion? it's to show how urgently workers in this field need their own deep resources and directives. Those who are in earnest about helping people are bound to need a faith in life far higher and more profound than those involved in other kinds of daily work. For such a demanding role, nothing less than a "calling" will do. In our time, seeing events and problems in that larger perspective provides a real resource for being helpful to others. To convey a larger vision of God and His purposes, in a method where each is at liberty to find his or her inspiration, is for many the most creative and redeeming work possible. In the Bible it is clear that divine calling has never been confined to "a priestly class." It has always been for all God's people, old and young, wise and simple, rich and poor, male and female. Some refused to listen to the call. Some misunderstood it. But as people responded, a special purpose began to work itself out in each of their everyday lives. It is useful to point out that at no other point in human history has there been such a tradition of lay ministry. It's not just work that is our inherited tradition, but work with the intention to succeed. The life goal of countless millions of men and women in the West has been "to succeed." This motivating purpose, "To succeed is to live out God's intention for my life." Because it is God who sets that divine intention, we earn His favor by "proving our vocation" in obedience to his plan. Know Yourself and Your WorldA crucial factor in job choice: what do I think needs to be done in church; and what, if any, is my overall purpose in living? Know yourself Do you lead in your group, or follow? Do you communicate well with words and attitudes, or are you often misunderstood? Are you more likely to be chosen as chairperson, or recording secretary, or treasurer, or program starter? Know your world What movements need "the ounces of your energy?" How do you determine what is timely and worthwhile. You may want to participate directly in the main thrust of reform or development, to pioneer, to stake out new areas of human concern. Be open This can involve opening up your mind and imagination and will, keeping in tune with all that happens around you. Moreover, anyone concerned with religion will naturally pray about clues and leadings. What is the Lord saying to you inwardly? Your willingness to accept new ideas may point you to outlandish field of interest. Look at a wide range of lifestyles and duties. To be open keeps you aware of an unlimited variety variety of opportunities. Do I like people and get along well with them Tests show that men and women who are effective in such work, are most often those who enjoy human relationships and being with people. Naturally, "to help others" is a basic motive - and liking to be with them is part of that process. Have I some of the makings for being a leader? It is important that you have the competence to initiate action and to take over in a new organization, and that you be unafraid of group pressure on being labeled a nonconformist. Without needing to be hero or heroine types, we must ask whether we can grow into the ability to get others to act, and whether we can learn to administer an active program. Am I physically, emotionally, and sexually ready for these occupational demands? It is important to be equipped to be stable, vigorous, and complete as a person. Every aspect of our lives-physical, mental, sexual, social, and spiritual - is relevant as we question our fitness. Is our own life with God zealous and growing? These are all aspects of the process of knowing yourself, knowing the world in which you work is to be chosen, and being open to the widest and deepest prompting, divine and societal. Volunteer work It becomes a way of affirming the identity of Christians, all being called to an everyday job. and all called as well to their duties as a Christian. It is impossible to pinpoint far in advance the precise occupational spot one one would like to occupy. As we have suggested, circumstances and "the unforeseeable, inscrutable will of God" often have more to do with our life odyssey than our deliberate planning does. The religious bureaucrat - usually referred to by that term in impatience or frustration - is an essential functionary in our modern day. it is perennially true that local workers need help and encouragement, and no one can provide this support except somebody who knows the little person's problems from within. So, executive work in religion can use as preparation any experience and training an individual has in dealing with people and operating a organization. Growth in SpiritualitySpiritual deepening is an critical aspect of anyone's preparation for a career in religion. Growth in prayer, intercession for others, and increasing skills in meditating before God are of the essence. Only the depth of your spiritual life, achieved through study, meditation, and prayer, can give you the dedication as you go about your daily chores. Each person must discover his or her own "path toward holiness." In this respect, much of the preparation for a career in religious service demands inward discipline, a practice which enables the individual to worship God selflessly and to communicate His Word freely. The Christian VolunteerWhat is the role of lay people in today's Church?The question is not a new one, "The laity live in the world, that is in each and in all of these secular professions and occupations. They live in the ordinary circumstance of family and social life... they are called there by God, that by exercising their proper function and led by the spirit of the gospel they may work for the sanctification of the world from within as a leaven. In this way [the laity] may make Christ known to others, especially by the testimony of a life resplendent in faith, hope, and charity." The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity which defined the nature of the lay apostolate, summarized the call of the laity to Christian perfection "It is the Lord who is again sending them into every town and every place where himself is to come (Lk 10:1). He sends them on the Church's apostolate, an apostolate that is one, yet has different forms and methods, an apostolate that must at all times be adapting to the needs of the moment; he sends them on an apostolate where they are to show themselves as cooperators, doing their full share continually in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord their labor cannot be lost"(#33). The Church's mission is to continue the work of the Risen Christ, saving and healing the world. The laity are not merely passive recipients of this service. They are part of the Body of Christ, actively called to share in his redemptive actions. Purifying the Church through loving service is all Christ asks of any of us. Among other things, the document stated: "The laity are called in a special way to make the Church present and operative in those places and circumstances where only through them can she become the salt of the earth." Writer Walter Burghard, S.J., in an article in Georgetown Magazine, Spring 1986 issue, enlarges upon this call. "We were sent on a mission," he writes, "to transform the world on which we walk, in which we work." We find this idea in St. Paul, in the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ. There he calls on the individual Christian's vocation and of responsibility for this singular unique and unrepeatable grace by which each Christian in the community of the People of God builds up the Body of Christ. Describing this principle as "the key rule for the whole of Christian practice," he adds: "It is precisely the principle of ''kingly service' that imposes on each one of us in imitation of Christ's example, the duty to demand of himself exactly what we have been called to, what we have personally obliged ourselves to by God's grace, in order to respond to our vocation" (Redemptor Hominis, no 2). Theologian and philosopher Germain Grisez explains the practical importance of personal vocation this way: "The finding and accepting of one's personal vocation cannot be done once for all. Determination of one's state in life and occupation, once made, may require subsequent unfolding.... Prior commitments always must be faithfully fulfilled, but faithfulness also demands growth... and this will be so only if one's every thought, word and deed implement one or more of the commitments pertaining to one's personal vocation." Work is not a distraction from Christian life. Rather, and especially for those who live and work in the world, work is a central component of their personal vocations as followers of Jesus Christ. Fruit (results) is an essential part of our purpose here on earth. Indeed, it might be well if lay Christians thought of themselves not merely as having vocations but as living in a rich vocational context. First, there is the common Christian vocation shared by every Christian - the vocation to love and serve God and neighbor. Next, this common calling is further specified by the choice of a state of life - as a layperson - carrying with it a whole raft of duties and obligations. Finally, and individual's place in the scheme of things receives its ultimate specification through their unique personal vocation. "unique personal vocation" might be described as the sum total of who and what i am, with all that entails as far as moral obligations and Christian opportunities are concerned. But can all this really be called a vocation? Indeed it can, provided it is not left simply on the natural level, but is directed to servanthood - or more precisely, to seeking out the Christian purposes which this network of roles and commitments has in God's eyes. The lay worker tries to live the Gospel on the front line where the world becomes Church and the Church becomes world. In order to do this in today's secularized environment, many of us need the support of some kind of community - a community consisting of friends who are trying to do the same thing, friends because they are trying to do the same thing. With the help of the Holy Spirit, and the Christian community, The Christian Training Institute can WITH YOUR HELP begin a journey that will revitalize our society." Don't You Quit When things go wrong as they sometimes will, Life is queer with its twists and turns, Don't give up though the pace seems slow - Success is failure turned inside out - We in Quality of Life Ministries -Christian Leadership Training Institute offer you the opportunity to be trained to serve your fellow human and serve God. you will gain many important benefits. Benefits such as a valuable career building practical experience. But even more important is sense of fulfillment in a exciting innovative , future looking service to your fellow humans and your God. It's is now up to you. We want you, and God has brought you to this decision point; will you act or will you refuse Him?
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