View source for Vocation

{{Short description|Occupation to which a person is especially drawn or for which they are especially suited}}
{{other uses}}
A '''vocation''' ({{ety|la|[[wikt:vocatio#Latin|vocatio]]|a call, summons}}<ref>Richard A. Muller, ''Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms: Drawn Principally from Protestant Scholastic Theology'' (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House Company, 1985), s.v. "vocation."</ref>) is an [[Work (human activity)|occupation]] to which a person is especially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. Though now often used in non-religious contexts, the meanings of the term originated in [[Christianity]].

A '''calling''', in the religious sense of the word, is a religious vocation (which comes from the Latin for "call") that may be [[professional]] or voluntary and, idiosyncratic to different religions, may come from another person, from a divine messenger, or from within oneself.

==History==
The idea of a vocation or "calling" has played a significant role within [[Christianity]]. Since the early days of the Christian faith, the term has applied to candidates for the [[clergy]]. It soon began to be applied to those who felt drawn to a more rigorous observance of their faith through the [[contemplation|contemplative]] lifestyle of the [[hermit]]s and [[monk]]s and [[nun]]s.<ref>{{cite web|work=The Holy See|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2A.HTM|title=Catechism of the Catholic Church: Christ's Faithful - Hierarchy, Laity, Consecrated Life}}</ref>

Use of the word "vocation" before the sixteenth century referred firstly to the "call" by God<ref>The [[OED]] records effectively identical uses of "call" in English back to {{circa|1300}}: OED, "Call", 6 "To nominate by a personal "call" or summons (to special service or office);''esp.'' by Divine authority..."</ref> to an individual, or [[Universal call to holiness|calling of all humankind to salvation]], particularly in the [[Vulgate]], and more specifically to the "vocation" to the [[priesthood]], or to the [[religious (Catholicism)|religious life]], which is still the usual sense in [[Roman Catholicism]]. Roman Catholicism recognizes marriage, religious, and ordained life as the three vocations.<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio_en.html Pope John Paul II, ''Familiaris Consortio'', 11.4]</ref>{{Failed verification|date=November 2014}} [[Martin Luther]],<ref>Gustaf Wingren, ''Luther on Vocation''</ref> followed by [[John Calvin]], placed a particular emphasis on vocations, or divine callings, as potentially including most secular occupations, though this idea was by no means new.<ref>David L. Jeffrey, ''A Dictionary of biblical tradition in English literature'', Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1992, {{ISBN|0-8028-3634-8}}, {{ISBN|978-0-8028-3634-2}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=zD6xVr1CizIC&dq=vocatio+universalis&pg=PA815 Google books] See also [[Max Weber]], ''[[The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism]]'', trans. Alcott Parsons, Ch.3, p. 79 & note 1.</ref>

Later, [[Martin Luther]] taught that each individual was expected to fulfill their God-appointed task in everyday life. Although the Lutheran concept of the calling emphasized vocation, there was no particular emphasis on labor beyond what was required for one's daily bread. [[Calvinism]] transformed the idea of the calling by emphasizing relentless, disciplined labor.

[[John Calvin|Calvin]] defined the role of "the Christian in his vocation", noting that God has prescribed appointed duties to men and styled such spheres of life vocations or callings.<ref name="Calvin">{{cite book |title=[[Institutes of the Christian Religion]] |last=Calvin |first=John |year=1536 }}</ref> Calvinists distinguished two callings: a general calling to serve [[God]] and a particular calling to engage in some employment by which one's usefulness is determined.<ref name="Calvin"/> [[Calvinism]] developed complex ideas about different types of vocations of the first type, connected with the concepts of [[predestination]], [[irresistible grace]], and the elect. There are the ''vocatio universalis'', the ''vocatio specialis'', only extended to some. There were also complex distinctions between internal and external, and the "vocatio efficax" and "inefficax" types of callings.<ref>Kenneth G. Appold. ''Abraham Calov's doctrine of vocatio in its systematic context'', p. 125 and generally, Mohr Siebeck, 1998, {{ISBN|3-16-146858-9}}, {{ISBN|978-3-16-146858-2}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAed_DrVKOMC&dq=vocatio+universalis&pg=PA125 Google books]. See also Jeffrey, 815</ref>  [[Hyper-Calvinism]] rejects the idea of a "universal call", a vocation, to repent and believe, held by virtually all other Christian groups.

The [[Puritan]] minister [[Cotton Mather]] discussed the obligations of the personal calling, writing of "some special business, and some settled business, wherein a Christian should for the most part spend the most of his time; so he may glorify God by doing good for himself".<ref name="Mather">{{cite book |title=A Christian at his Calling |last=Mather |first=Cotton |year=1701 }}</ref> Mather admonished that it was not lawful ordinarily to live without some calling: "for men will fall into "horrible snares and infinite sins"".<ref name="Mather"/> This idea has endured throughout the history of Protestantism. Almost three centuries after John Calvin's death in 1564 [[Thomas Carlyle]] would proclaim, "The latest [[Gospel]] in this world is, 'know thy work and do it.'"<ref>{{cite book |title=Past and Present |last=Carlyle |first=Thomas |year=1843 |publisher=Scribner, Welford |url=https://archive.org/details/pastandpresent02carlgoog}}</ref>

The legacy of this religious ethic continues to exert its influence in [[secular]] Western society.{{fact|date=November 2021}} Modern occupations which are seen as vocations often include those where a combination of skill and community help are implied, such as medical, care-giving, and veterinary occupations. Occupations where rewards are seen more in spiritual or other non-financial terms, such as [[religious]] occupations, are also seen as vocations. Borderline occupations, where [[community service]] and more personal reward are more evenly balanced, such as [[politics]], may often be regarded{{By whom|date=April 2011}} as vocations.

==Senses==
In [[Protestantism]], the call from God to devote one's life to him by joining the [[clergy]] is often covered by the English equivalent term "[[Calling (religious)|call]]", whereas in Roman Catholicism "vocation" is still used.

Both senses of the word "call" are used in [[1 Corinthians 7#Living as one's calling (7:17–40)|1 Corinthians 7:20]], where [[Paul the Apostle|Paul]] says "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called".<ref>[[King James Version]]</ref>

===Concept===
The idea of vocation is central to the Christian belief that God has created each person with gifts and talents oriented toward specific purposes and a way of life.  In the broadest sense, as stated in the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'', "''Love'' is the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catechism of the Catholic Church – part 3, section 2, chapter 2, article 6 |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P88.HTM |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=The Holy See}}</ref>  More specifically, in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and Catholic Churches, this idea of vocation is especially associated with a divine call to service to the Church and humanity through particular vocational life commitments such as [[marriage]] to a particular person, [[consecration]] as a religious dedication, [[ordination]] to priestly ministry in the Church and even a holy life as a single person.  In the broader sense, Christian vocation includes the use of one's gifts in their profession, family life, church and civic commitments for the sake of the greater common good.

==Distinctions among different denominations==
===Catholicism and Orthodoxy===
{{Further|Vocational discernment in the Catholic Church}}

In both the [[Catholic Church]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox Churches]], a candidate to the [[diaconate]] and [[priesthood (Catholic Church)|priesthood]] is referred to as being called to this service in the Church. The term is also used for those in [[consecrated life]].

===Protestant churches===
In [[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches, the decision of a church to invite for appointment a particular minister - to "invite in due form to the pastorate of a church (Presbyterian or Nonconformist)" ([[OED]]) may be referred to as a ''call'', such as ''extending a call to so and so'', and is first cited from 1560 by the OED.<ref>OED, "call", 6b</ref> In [[Evangelicalism]], the sense of deliberate purpose before God is generally an expected part of the choice to seek ministerial work in the first place and is often referred to as a ''calling'' or ''call''.

===Latter-day Saints===
[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] describes a calling as "a duty, position, or responsibility in the Church that is issued to a member by [[Priesthood (LDS Church)#Priesthood leadership callings|priesthood leaders]].... [it is] an opportunity to serve."<ref>{{cite web|title=Calling |url=http://mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/glossary/glossary-definition/calling |work=Glossary |publisher=[[LDS Church]] |access-date=2009-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509080535/http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/glossary/glossary-definition/calling |archive-date=May 9, 2009 }}</ref> The church uses a lay [[Clergy#Latter-day Saints|clergy]], with most members receiving no compensation for the execution of their callings.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | last=Ludlow | first=Daniel H. | title=Clergy | url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/5607 | date=1992 | encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Mormonism]] | publisher=[[Brigham Young University]] | access-date=2009-05-05 }}</ref> Prominent church leader [[J. Reuben Clark]] said, "In the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve but how. In the [church], one takes the place to which one is duly called, which place one neither seeks nor declines."<ref>{{cite web | last=Oaks | first=Dallin H. | author-link=Dallin H. Oaks | title=I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go| url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2002/11/ill-go-where-you-want-me-to-go?lang=eng | date=2002-11-01 | work=[[Liahona (magazine)|Liahona]] | publisher=[[LDS Church]] | access-date=2009-05-05 }}</ref> Prior to beginning service, a person is presented to church membership for a [[common consent|sustaining vote]] to that calling.<ref name = EOM>Brian L. Pitcher, [https://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Callings "Callings"] in ''[[Encyclopedia of Mormonism]]''.</ref> The person is then [[setting apart (LDS Church)|set apart]] to serve in the calling by the [[laying on of hands]].<ref name = EOM/>

==Contemporary views on vocation==
{{See also|Avocation}}
Since the establishment of Vocational Guidance in 1908 by the engineer [[Frank Parsons (school counselor)|Frank Parsons]], the use of the term "vocation" has evolved, with emphasis shifting to an individual's development of talents and abilities in the choice and enjoyment of a career. This semantic expansion has meant some diminution of reference to the term's religious meanings in everyday usage.<ref>Douglas J. Schuurman; ''[[iarchive:vocationdiscerni0000schu_w0v5|Vocation: Discerning Our Callings in Life]]'' (Grand Rapids: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2004) {{ISBN|978-0-8028-0137-1}} pages 5, 6</ref>{{unreliable source?|sure=y|reason=This book is polemical; it is not NPOV.|date=May 2021}}

[[Leland Ryken]] argues for seeing the call of God to a particular occupation as a reflection of the gospel call, and suggests that this implies vocational loyalty – "modern notions of job become deficient" and "the element of arbitrariness of one's choice of work" is removed.<ref>Ryken, L. (2002), ''Work and Leisure'', 147.</ref>

The late [[Pope Francis]] saw [[business]] as a "noble vocation", noting in its favour that it produces [[wealth]] and [[prosperity]] and "improves our world", especially when "it sees the [[job creation|creation of jobs]] as an essential part of its service to the common good".<ref>Pope Francis (2015), [https://www.vatican.va/content/dam/francesco/pdf/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si_en.pdf Laudato si'], paragraph 129, accessed 28 January 2024</ref>

==Literary clarification==
These books have attempted to define or clarify the term vocation.
*''[https://www.amazon.com/Live-Your-Calling-Practical-Fulfilling/dp/0787968951/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WT5FO0YFN2JC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Mm5mBXfV2njsnctput2fmoL5lLlzPoJVbpCNrl-w-sHGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.gV4bwmbFtfNqjfn0MPzrJROxWYU1RDKejyIO3IhR3p0&dib_tag=se&keywords=live+your+calling%2C+by+kevin+and+kay+brennfleck&qid=1725348842&sprefix=live+your+calling%2Caps%2C269&sr=8-1 Live Your Calling: A Practical Guide to Finding and Fulfilling Your Mission in Life]'' by Kevin and Kay Marie Brennfleck ({{ISBN|978-0787968953}})
*[[iarchive:statesofthechris00bertuoft|''States of the Christian life and vocation, according to the doctors and theologians of the Church'']] by Jean-Baptiste Berthier
*''[[iarchive:theologyoflaity0000krae_o5z1|A Theology of the Laity]]'' by Hendrik Kraemer ({{ISBN|978-1-57383-031-7}})
*''[[iarchive:livingyourhearts0000clap|Living Your Heart's Desire: God's Call and Your Vocation]]'' by Gregory S. Clapper ({{ISBN|978-0-8358-9805-8}})
*''[https://books.google.com/books?id=5HGFXfOrBYgC The Fabric of this World]'' by Lee Hardy ({{ISBN|978-0-8028-0298-9}})
*''[[iarchive:yourworkmatterst00sher|Your Work Matters to God]]'' by Doug Sherman and William Hendricks ({{ISBN|978-0-89109-372-5}})
*''[[iarchive:callfindingfulfi0000guin|The Call]]'' by [[Os Guinness]] ({{ISBN|978-0-8499-4437-6}})
*''[[iarchive:preachinglife00tayl|The Preaching Life]]'' by [[Barbara Brown Taylor]] ({{ISBN|978-1-56101-074-5}})
*''[https://books.google.com/books?id=k2ORAwAAQBAJ Let Your Life Speak]'' by [[Parker J. Palmer]] ({{ISBN|978-0-7879-4735-4}})
*''Lay People in the Church: A Study for a Theology of the Laity'' by Yves M.J. Congar, O.P. Translated by [[Donald Attwater]], 1959
*''Luther on Vocation'' by Gustaf Wingren, 1957
*''[[iarchive:godatworkyourchr00veit|God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life]]'' by [[Gene Edward Veith Jr.]] ({{ISBN|1-58134-403-1}})
*''[[iarchive:fabricoffaithful00garb|The Fabric of Faithfulness]]'' by Steven Garber ({{ISBN|0-8308-1994-0}})
*''[[iarchive:visionsofvocatio0000garb|Visions of Vocation]]'' by Steven Garber ({{ISBN|978-0-8308-3666-6}})

==See also==
* [[Anticipatory socialization]]
* [[Career and Life Planning Education]]
* [[Effectual calling]]
* [[List of largest employers]]
* {{Lang|la|[[Otium]]}}
* [[Profession]]
* [[Religious calling]]
* [[Trade (occupation)]]
* [[Tech certificate]]
* [[Vocational discernment in the Catholic Church]]
* [[Vocational education]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}<!--added above categories/infobox footers by script-assisted edit-->

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{Wiktionary-inline}}
*[http://cara.georgetown.edu Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate] – national, non-profit, Georgetown University affiliated research center that conducts social scientific studies about the Catholic Church.

[[Category:Christian missions]]
[[Category:Christian terminology]]
[[Category:Christian religious occupations]]