Living Theology in
the Metropolitan
Volume 9, Number 1
Spring 2004
The Vocation of the Laity
Both “vocation” and “laity” in our theme carry rich meaning beyond
common usage and beyond what we can thoroughly explore in these few pages. However, we can provide some conversation
starters as a step toward recovering some of the richness, and we will suggest
why such a conversation is important.
The
Editorial Council began its discussion of this issue by agreeing that the call
implicit in vocation is a summons heard in every dimension of life. Richard J. Niebanck,
writing in Lutheran Forum (“The Vocation of the Baptized and Good
Works,” Volume 29, Number 4, November, 1995, p. 36), reminds us of the
classical Lutheran view of vocation and “offices:”
“The work of politics,
industry, parenthood, and all the other ‘offices,’ whether regarded as high or
lowly, were to be seen as honorable and God-pleasing. Lutheranism taught people to enter into these
roles or offices, viewing them as avenues for the performance of good works,
‘the fruit of faith.’ Within these
everyday tasks Christians were to perform their priestly role of being ‘little Christs,’ mediating the gospel in word and deed, to their
neighbors.”
“Vocation, as it is
understood theologically, is grounded in both the doctrines of creation and
redemption. The original call was
addressed by the Lord God to our first parents, who were commanded to be
stewards of the garden and procreators of humankind. By trusting obedience to God’s word of
command, they were to fulfil their God-given mission
concretely within the conditions of bounded existence, the situation of finite
freedom.”
More
extensive excerpts of Niebanck’s article are found on
pages 6 and 7.
In this
issue of Let’s Talk laypersons Andrew Tecson
and Barbara McKenzie tell us about their stewardship in different parts of the
garden, to use Niebanck’s figure. Tecson speaks of
the composition and performance of jazz as a metaphor of the Spirit and a
medium for proclaiming the gospel.
McKenzie reflects on the life and thought of Albert Schweitzer as a
guiding principle in her work as a medical clinic business manager. These authors remind us that the fences
between “church work,” “work in the world,” “work at home,” etc. can be taken
down. They show us good works that are
the fruit of faith and vocations that are grounded in baptism.
The word laity
raises ancient questions. Our Christian
life is sustained – indeed made possible – by God’s gifts of grace offered in
the community of the church. The
ministry of the means of grace is one of the vocations of the baptized and the
church ordains these ministers to their vocation. How do we distinguish between those who
administer the means of grace and those whose Christian vocations are the
various ways of holding the world together?
The recent debates surrounding the adoption of CCM show that this
question is still before us.
Layman
Gregory Singleton takes us on a journey through (as he puts it) “a little
etymology, a little history, and (perhaps) a little theology” toward recovery
of a New Testament vision of the People of God.
Pastor Seth Moland-Kovash reflects on an
address from the liturgy for Affirmation of Baptism, showing how it speaks in
distinct ways to clergy and laity.
We
continually remind you that “Let’s Talk” is an invitation. We are delighted when you accept. In this issue is a reader’s response from
Robert Benne to the two recent issues on “Human Sexuality and the ELCA” (Volume
8, Issues 1 and 2). His response
includes a full-length article. It will
occur to many that they are exercising their Christian
vocation when they ponder this matter now before the ELCA. The invitation to respond remains open.
for the Editorial Council