From September on Theology of Vocation

There are many things we can ask of ourselves as a Congregation. Especially as Zion Lutheran Church has struggled with maintaining attendance levels and membership, “how do we reach new people” becomes a very pressing question. But as I am often reminded the greatest struggle we have is “how do we remain Church?” But after being asked again today, what is Church? I think there might be yet a better question, which we will spend the next several months trying to address.
What does a congregation look like that lives out a theology of vocation?
You will note that the question itself assumes several things before it can be answered. First, what is the difference between a Church and a congregation or even a Parish. Second, we will have to define the theology of vocation. This will be followed by the further discussion on challenges and ways in which we can apply these answers.
Luther tells us: We do not want to hear what they command or forbid in the name of the church, because, God be praised, a seven-year-old child knows what the church is: holy believers and “the little sheep who hear the voice of their shepherd.” This is why children pray in this way, “I believe in one holy Christian church.” 
Church is understood as the sheep following the voice of their shepherd. It is therefore a necessary mark of the Church that the Word of God be taught in truth and purity. If we are looking for the true Church we need to find the Word of God proclaimed. 
Church is also defined in reference to the body of Christ or the communion of Saints. Some will even talk about Church in reference to a church body or denomination. Others will talk in reference to the building or place in which a congregation gathers around the Word and sacraments.
Here we already see the dynamic difference between a congregation and a Church. While these two terms may be used interchangeably, this is only because they both find their root in the Greek word ecclesia. We get the word ecclesiastic or ecclesiology from this word. St Paul uses this word to reference the body of Christ, communion of saints, or Church, while his contemporaries may use it to talk about the gathering of people. The word can mean the more general assembly.
Thus, an assembly of the body of Christ or a gathering of believers around the Word of God is a congregation. A congregation is people who are gathered together around the Word of God. So in our question: what does a congregation look like that lives out a theology of vocation? It is not about the Church building or business, but the people.
So this question is not about the Church or denomination or building, it is clearly about people. These people who will be required to live out the Theology of Vocation in their lives. How do we help one another as brothers and sisters in Christ develop this Theology of Vocation? St Paul encourages us to build up the body of Christ and this will only be one way of doing this.

Next Month we will have to define the Theology of Vocation.

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