Personal Stories of Faith Workshop Don Thompson & Cindy Miller-Perrin Pepperdine University Messiah College August 24, 2005

Workshop Schedule 9:00-10:30 Summary of Vocation Survey Results Sharing of Stories – Part 1 10:30-10:45Break 10:45-11:45Sharing of Stories – Part 2 11:45-12:15Emerging Themes from Faculty Stories 12:15-1:15Lunch 1:15-2:30Vocation Definition 2:30-2:45Break 2:45-4:00Vocational Barriers 4:00-4:15Workshop Conclusion

Faculty Survey on Vocation The assessment included a 75-item survey –Definitions of vocation –Personal experiences of vocation –Barriers to vocational discernment and action –Sacrifices associated with living out one’s vocation

The Faculty Sample 34 faculty members completed the survey (100% response rate) Mean age of participants: 48 years Gender –41% female; 59% male Race –The majority of faculty participants are Caucasian Religious Identification –The majority of faculty participants are Protestant

Definition and Scope of Vocation Faculty Responses – Agree A Lot or Very Much Vocation Refers To –Life purpose – 97% –God’s will for one’s life – 97% –Job/Career/Profession – 79% –Personal interests or skills – 64% –Formal ministry – 59% –Gender – 6%

Definition and Scope of Vocation Faculty Responses – Agree A Lot or Very Much Lifework Aspects of Vocation –Service toward others – 77% –Occupation/Career – 74% –Community – 74% –Church – 71% –Marriage – 68% –Parenthood – 65% –Friendship – 53%

Personal Experiences of Vocation I have a strong sense of my own personal vocation Somewhat21% A lot32% Very much47%

Personal Experiences of Vocation My vocation includes serving those in need Somewhat 2% A lot35% Very much62%

Personal Experiences of Vocation Faculty Responses – Agree A lot or Very Much Personal sense of vocation develops from: –My personal interests94% –My sense of God’s will94% –Significant life experiences88% –The influence of others74%

Barriers to Vocational Action Faculty Responses – Not At All Demographic – 56%-82% Personal Attitudes or Emotions – 38%-62% Interpersonal Relationships – 44%-85% Personal and Social Circumstances – 35%-85% Personal Sacrifices – 18%-88%

Personal Attitudes and Emotions as Barriers Faculty reported the presence of: (Faculty Responses – Ranging from Somewhat to Very Much) Need for personal control (44%) Fear (39%) Selfishness (39%) Desire for certainty (36%) Being uncertain of own vocation (33%)

Interpersonal Relationships as Barriers Faculty identified the following individuals: (Faculty Responses – Ranging from Somewhat to Very Much) Parent or other family member (24%) Supervisor/Boss (24%) Spouse (18%) Colleague (15%) Teacher or professor (12%) Mentor (12%)

Personal and Social Circumstances as Barriers Faculty endorsed the following: (Faculty Responses – Ranging from Somewhat to Very Much) Raising children (45%) Concerns about supporting standard of living (36%) Job-related responsibilities (36%) Lack of financial resources (33%) Other family responsibilities (27%)

Vocational Sacrifices Faculty Responses – Agree A lot or Very Much Desired geographical location (42%) Salary (39%) Time with children (39%) Time with spouse (39%) Time with other family members (39%) Time with friends (24%)

Personal Stories Vocational Definition Our commission from God to identity, lifestyle, ministry, and service Every decision, every relationship, every work Discipleship in obedience to Jesus, becoming like Him God’s will The journey itself

Personal Stories Vocational Discernment – Process Intersection of talents, skills, desires and deep need for mankind Gut feelings - innermost convictions God’s loud voice speaking through tragedies, disappointments, losses Ask and be asked questions Through experience, trial and error, surprises - learn by doing

Personal Stories Vocational Discernment – Evidence When nothing else matters Spiritual growth occurs Deep sense of joy, satisfaction, contentment, peace, excitement, renewed energy Positive feedback from others Answered prayer

Personal Stories Turning & Growth Points Death of family member or close friend Life’s mistakes & wrong turns Education Accepting Jesus Conflict, tension, growing pains Helping someone in need Parenting

Personal Stories Vocational Mentoring - Protégé From Teachers, Professors & Colleagues Through scripture & inspirational writing Via spouse, parents, family members, church family & friends

Personal Stories Vocational Mentoring - Mentor Encourage, serve, support, lead, nudge, excite, energize, hear, listen, share inner lives Understand vocation as journey Find where deep gladness meets deep hunger Learn about self, giftedness, passions, life purpose

Personal Stories Vocational Obstacles Pride & Self-Centeredness Lack of faith Lack of self-confidence Struggle with traditional gender roles Balance between home and profession Health setbacks

Personal Stories Vocational Obstacles (continued) Prejudice Family conflict, divorce, remarriage Manager/supervisor as discourager Sacrifice in distance from family & friendships Heartaches, darkness, despair Church culture

Definition and Scope of Vocation Secular View –Work, Career, Occupation Christian View –“a holy calling” 2 Timothy 1:9 –Any human activity that gives meaning, purpose, and direction to life: lifework Public and Private Dimensions –Work, ministry, community, relationships

Definition and Scope of Vocation “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet” Buechner –Vocation involves loving and serving others –Vocation involves using the gifts God has bestowed upon us

Vocational Definition Discussion Questions 1.a) How do you conceptualize “vocation”? b) In particular, how is vocation “not so much a call to ‘do’ as to ‘be’”? 2.How does your own faith tradition define calling? 3.How does your calling tie to your work with students?

Vocational Barriers Various barriers or obstacles may interfere with our ability to discern or act upon our vocational callings Barriers serve as challenges that either – create struggles that we must overcome – create an impasse that redirects our journey

Vocational Barriers Personal Values, Beliefs, and Emotions –Secular views of vocation, fear Cultural Values –Material success, competition, productivity Personal and Psychological Needs –Security, control, certainty, power Social and Interpersonal Circumstances –Finances, family responsibilities, stereotypes

Vocational Barriers Discussion Questions 1.How do you conceptualize the notion of a “vocational barrier”? In what way is it a struggle to overcome vs. an impasse redirecting your journey? 2.a) Describe a barrier you have faced in pursuing God’s call. b) Describe a good thing that has come from dealing with this barrier. 3.What barriers are your students facing?

Concluding Remarks Comments about workshop experience –What was of most value to you? –What next steps will you pursue along your vocational journey? Our insights from the workshop