There is no greater joy in life than to follow Christ. No greater adventure, no greater purpose, no better way to live. But following Christ does not mean that we always know exactly what to do and how our lives will unfold. Following Christ is embarking on a journey and listening to the promptings of the Spirit, in prayer, in Scripture and through our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we discover and grow into our calling. God calls all of us to be disciples and to be the Church, and we hold this call in common. But God also calls all of us by name: specifically, individually and uniquely. This is when we speak of vocation: the specific path that our response to God’s love and grace will take in our own lives.
Often vocation is often thought of in terms of being ordained, but there are as many different vocations as there are people. Every journey of vocation is invaluable and needs to be told, shared and cherished by the Church. Together we discern the right paths and support one another on the way. Vocation has multiple threads – from being a friend, worker, parent, sibling, church member, carer, volunteer and many others to taking up specific responsibilities in life, work or Church.
Vocation is about how we might seek to play our part in building God’s Kingdom here in our parish and for the wider Church of God. This morning can I encourage you to reflect on how you might become more involved in the life of our parish:
Is God calling you to help in our worship by reading Bible lessons, leading prayers, or even leading services as a parish reader?
Might you be called to join the choir or play a musical instrument, like the guitar?
Might you be called to give of your time, talents or skills in helping to organise and prepare rallies, fetes, fun days or other parish events?
Could you offer your time to help with Sunday School and children’s ministry, or is there a parish group or activity you could help start?
Are you good at computers or administration and could help in the running of the parish or serve on the Select Vestry?
Can you help with the various jobs needed to keep our church buildings well-maintained?
Or might you even be called to the ordained ministry, a particular calling that is held alongside all the other vocations? In the New Testament, ‘ministry’ is a public and commissioned role that God calls some individual disciples to, which is recognised by the Church.
Whatever the case, the Church of Ireland encourages all Christians to think about their vocation and how God is calling you to help build up God’s Kingdom in this parish. Please consider your vocation and how you can help build up our parish. Our parish will only have a bright future if we all pull together and offer our time, energy, skills and talents in the service of God’s Kingdom. Don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss being more involved in our parish or if you think you might be called to serve in the Church as a reader or explore ordination - Rev Philip.
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