Vocation, Calling and the Purpose of Work

Andrew SearsPresident

City Vision

Outline of CourseWeeks 1-2: The Startup of You & Life PlanWeeks 3-4: Tools for Identity and CallingWeek 5-6: Worldview, Faith and WorkWeek 7: Rough Draft of Final Project &

Peer FeedbackWeek 8: Submit Final Project

Final ProjectWork on it each week 1. Literature & Video Reviews (5-8 pages)2. Vocational Reflection & Life Plan (15-25

or 10-15)◦Part 1. Personal Life Plan◦Part 2. Your Story◦Part 3. Identity & Unique Calling◦Part 4. Worldview and the Role of Work in your

Grand Narrative 3. Self-Evaluation, Reflection and

Contributions for Future Courses (2 pages)

- Frederick Buechner

Four Questions of Personal Vocation

Calling

What are you good at?

Does the world need?What do you enjoy?

Will the world pay?

Internal Motivation(deep gladness)

External Motivation(world’s deep hunger)

Status

Meaning

Status without Meaning• Empty success• Corporate drone

Meaning without Status• Financially unsustainable• Starving volunteer

Internal • Underemployed• Starving artist

External Motivation• Burnout• Joyless worker

PersonalVocation

Christian Vocation: Love God, Love

Others

Human Vocation:Co-Creators

Human, Christian & Personal Vocation

Dimensions of Christian Vocation

From The Other Six Days. R. Paul Stevens

The Power of MetaphorWhat is the dominant metaphor for your career?

The Power of MetaphorWhat is the dominant metaphor for your career?

The Power of MetaphorWhat is the dominant metaphors for life?

The Power of MetaphorWhat is the dominant metaphor for life?

Part 4. Collective Worldview1. I need a community of support with a healthy

comprehensive worldview

Part 2 & 3. Personal Story & Identity1. I need values that bring success2. I need transformation of worldview3. I need acculturation 4. I need emotional and relational health

Part 1. Personal Life Plan1. I need more education2. I need better people skills3. I need access to opportunities

I want an good job

(paradigms)