WHO'S CALLING?

Dr. Richard J. Henderson January 12, 2003

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Psalm 29
Mark 1: 4-11

Introduction

A middle age man, who has been through a traumatic childhood, and who has recently overcome his addiction to alcohol, volunteers every Saturday as a big brother for boys who have gotten in trouble with the law. A young woman, who is quickly climbing the corporate ladder, is also the senior high youth advisor at her church. She loves the kids, is a good role model for them, and in her discussions with the youth she ties together Bible teachings and everyday life.

A high school student serves on the advisory board for SADD - Students Against Drunk Driving. A college student goes to the chaplain on campus. She has been thinking more and more about going into the ministry. She goes to talk all this over with the chaplain. A couple who, has just retired, volunteer as missionaries overseas. At sixty-two they are learning Spanish for the first time, because for the next three years that is all they will be speaking.

Each of us is called in a different way, to do a different work. God gives us particular abilities and opportunities to use in ministry.

I

Jesus comes to a man named John who is out by the Jordan River baptizing people. He approaches John and tells him he would like to be baptized. John walks with him down into the Jordan, holds the back of his head, then lowers him into the water.

Just as Jesus is coming out of the water the heavens are torn apart and a voice booms from the sky. "This is my son with whom I am well pleased."

After his baptism Jesus goes into the wilderness where he is tempted. Then he immediately returns and begins his ministry by choosing his disciples. The beginning of Jesus ministry was his baptism. That moment was the start of his call. When he was baptized Jesus was identified as God's son, and he began his work. The Gospel According to Mark begins with Jesus being baptized in the Jordan. Mark doesn't have anything about the baby Jesus - no Bethlehem, no wise men or shepherds, no inn or manger. We don't even know if Mark knew about those things. Mark starts with the beginning of Jesus' ministry - he begins with Jesus' baptism.

II

Baptism is the beginning for us too. At our baptism we are identified by God, and we are called into ministry. That doesn't mean, of course, that we are called to professional ministry, but it does mean that we are called to be involved with the cause of God in some way.

Baptism is the time when we formally join the family of God. Here I understand that I am a child of God. It is here that we are called to work with God. It is said of Martin Luther that he stood in front of the mirror every morning and said out loud to himself, "I have been baptized." It was his way of reminding himself who he was. It also reminded him of his calling.

Like Jesus', your baptism and mine tells us who we are, and reminds us that we have been called to work with God.

III

We are all called to different functions. Because we have been given different talents and opportunities each of us is called to do something different for the cause of God.

One person works beautifully with children. Another has difficulty being with kids, but is tremendously talented in programming computers. Another can barely find his way around a computer but has a gift of caring for people in a way that is warm and compassionate.

Someone else has difficulty relating with people but can write with a style that is crisp and compelling. Another can hardly put a sentence together but can build a house from scratch. We are all given different skills, and we are also given different life experiences. One person has had a life of experience working with numbers; she can scan a page of figures and tell you a great deal about an organization.

Another person has come from a difficult, dysfunctional situation and has grown beyond it, he can help other people who struggle with the same concerns. From what we have been given, we can offer our help for others.

IV

When we say ministry, many people think immediately of clergy. Professional ministry in the church is certainly not the only form of ministry. The Presbyterian Book of Order makes it clear that the only difference between clergy and lay people is a difference of function.

We are not better, we are not more holy, we are not closer to God. We have simply been called to work with the church on a full time basis. We have been called to help other Christians grow in their faith. As we work with other Christians and learn from them, we grow in our own faith.

Our calling is no more and no less important than your calling as a Christian. We are all full-time Christians. We have all been called by God to serve in some way.

V

God has called these elders and deacons to a particular ministry at this time in their lives. Elders are called to a ministry of leadership making decisions, setting policies, and overseeing the life of the church. All their work is aimed toward helping the congregation to be more effective and helping to its members mature in their faith.

The deacons are called to a ministry of leadership in serving and caring for this congregation. They support individual families; care for them in times of need; make themselves available for any concerns or questions people may have. They serve the church in preparing for the sacraments and for worship.

These are particular functions that these people are called by God to do.

Conclusion

We are all called to some kind of ministry. Each of us is given particular talents and skills that we can use for the benefit of other people. Are you an artist? Your art can be a ministry. Are you good at building things? That can be an important ministry. Can you sew? Think of how that could be a fulfilling ministry. Are you comfortable in relating to other people - especially those who are different from you? That is a real gift, and helpful in many ministries. Are you persuasive? Think of the possibilities for ministry with that talent. It's not that some people are called to ministry and the rest are not..... we are all called to serve God where we are, with what we have. It comes from our baptism - when we are named one of God's people, and we are given an important place in Christ's ministry.

What is your calling? Where can you serve Christ with your life?

Amen.

©Richard J. Henderson 2003