Let's Talk
Living Theology inthe Metropolitan ChicagoSynod
Volume 9, Number 1
Spring 2004
The Vocation of the Laity
Both “vocation” and “laity” in our theme carry rich meaning beyondcommon usage and beyond what we can thoroughly explore in these few pages. However, we can provide some conversationstarters as a step toward recovering some of the richness, and we will suggestwhy such a conversation is important.
TheEditorial Council began its discussion of this issue by agreeing that the callimplicit in vocation is a summons heard in every dimension of life. Richard J. Niebanck,writing in Lutheran Forum (“The Vocation of the Baptized and GoodWorks,” Volume 29, Number 4, November, 1995, p. 36), reminds us of theclassical Lutheran view of vocation and “offices:”
“The work of politics,industry, parenthood, and all the other ‘offices,’ whether regarded as high orlowly, were to be seen as honorable and God-pleasing. Lutheranism taught people to enter into theseroles or offices, viewing them as avenues for the performance of good works,‘the fruit of faith.’ Within theseeveryday tasks Christians were to perform their priestly role of being ‘little Christs,’ mediating the gospel in word and deed, to theirneighbors.”
“Vocation, as it isunderstood theologically, is grounded in both the doctrines of creation andredemption. The original call wasaddressed by the Lord God to our first parents, who were commanded to bestewards of the garden and procreators of humankind. By trusting obedience to God’s word ofcommand, they were to fulfil their God-given missionconcretely within the conditions of bounded existence, the situation of finitefreedom.”
Moreextensive excerpts of Niebanck’s article are found onpages 6 and 7.
In thisissue of Let’s Talk laypersons Andrew Tecsonand Barbara McKenzie tell us about their stewardship in different parts of thegarden, to use Niebanck’s figure. Tecson speaks ofthe composition and performance of jazz as a metaphor of the Spirit and amedium for proclaiming the gospel. McKenzie reflects on the life and thought of Albert Schweitzer as aguiding principle in her work as a medical clinic business manager. These authors remind us that the fencesbetween “church work,” “work in the world,” “work at home,” etc. can be takendown. They show us good works that arethe fruit of faith and vocations that are grounded in baptism.
The word laityraises ancient questions. Our Christianlife is sustained – indeed made possible – by God’s gifts of grace offered inthe community of the church. Theministry of the means of grace is one of the vocations of the baptized and thechurch ordains these ministers to their vocation. How do we distinguish between those whoadminister the means of grace and those whose Christian vocations are thevarious ways of holding the world together? The recent debates surrounding the adoption of CCM show that thisquestion is still before us.
LaymanGregory Singleton takes us on a journey through (as he puts it) “a littleetymology, a little history, and (perhaps) a little theology” toward recoveryof a New Testament vision of the People of God. Pastor Seth Moland-Kovash reflects on anaddress from the liturgy for Affirmation of Baptism, showing how it speaks indistinct ways to clergy and laity.
Wecontinually remind you that “Let’s Talk” is an invitation. We are delighted when you accept. In this issue is a reader’s response fromRobert Benne to the two recent issues on “Human Sexuality and the ELCA” (Volume8, Issues 1 and 2). His responseincludes a full-length article. It willoccur to many that they are exercising their Christianvocation when they ponder this matter now before the ELCA. The invitation to respond remains open.
Wayne Cowell
for the Editorial Council