Emerging Scholars Blog

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Amy Sherman

Deploying Vocational Power: Four Pathways

Kingdom Calling Cover
“Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good” (Amy Sherman. InterVarsity Press, 2011) Book Cover

Amy Sherman begins Chapter 8 of Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good (InterVarsity Press, 2011) with a bang!

Jesus is actually looking for people He can trust with His power. – Dallas Willard

Faithful vocational stewardship is not only about doing, it’s also about being. To deploy their vocational power for the common good, believers must possess a character that handles this power humbly and eschews its misuse. This is why discipling for vocational stewardship involves not only the work of inspiration and discovery but also an emphasis on formation (italics in original. Sherman, 129).

What do you think of power, particularly as a follower of Christ? How do you discuss its use in your household, local congregation, neighborhood, department, lab group, campus fellowship? Ever been in a mentor-mentee conversation such as the one young Spiderman found himself in with Uncle Ben?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DfztIIqbTI

I’m reminded that those engaged in higher education as young scholars are truly involved in a maturation process. Sherman helpfully highlights four key character traits as the beginning of wise vocational stewardship. As you consider these character traits, what Biblical texts and stories from your experience in higher education give testimony to their value?
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What do “the righteous” look like in higher education?

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? — Micah 6:8

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. — Proverbs 11:10

What do you consider the characteristics of “the righteous,” particularly in the area of vocation? How do you (as an individual and as a member of God’s people) envision, glimpse, even embody “the righteous” on campus?

Amy Sherman, author of “Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good” (InterVarsity Press, 2011)

Last week I introduced Amy Sherman‘s Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good (InterVarsity Press, 2011) and the challenge which it offers as we begin a new year (click here).

Let’s briefly consider What Do The Righteous Look Like? (Chapter 2, available on-line) and ask some questions in relationship to our journey (as individuals and as part of the people of God) in higher education.

Sherman starts What Do The Righteous Look Like? by stating:

A central premise of this book is that the average middle-class (or wealthier) Christian in America has been blessed with much from God — skills, wealth, opportunity, vocational position, education, influence, networks. We are, in short, the prospering. The purpose of all these blessings is simple to state and difficult to live: we are blessed to be a blessing. Our generous heavenly Father desires us to deploy our time, talents, and treasures to offer others foretastes of the coming kingdom. Those who do so are called the tsaddiqim, the righteous. . . . Clearly living as the tsaddiqim isn’t easy. It requires tremendous effort and intentionality. More importantly, it requires power from God’s Holy Spirit. It also requires understanding what a tsaddiq looks like. . . .

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Kingdom Calling in the New Year

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. – Proverbs 11:10

A Groshling explores “Kingdom Calling”

When behind me arose such a clatter, I turned to see what was the matter. And what did I find? A little one eager to add Amy Sherman‘s Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good (InterVarsity Press. 2011) to “Daddy’s library.” 

Like me, you most probably received a lot of books for Christmas. Among all the materials coming in envelopes, Amazon boxes, and wrapping paper, why did I choose Kingdom Calling as the one from which I snuck bites during a full holiday schedule?

Amy Sherman, as director of the Center on Faith in Communities at the Sagamore Institute for Policy Research, articulates an inspirational and well grounded vision of “training and consulting to churches and nonprofits seeking to transform their communities for the common good.” She truly is ‘a minister to ministries’ which all too often lack the desire, tools, and/or foundation for Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good. Note: Among various other roles, Sherman also serves as a Senior Fellow at the International Justice Mission’s IJM Institute.

In kicking off a new year, let’s prayerfully consider, discuss, work toward, learn to embrace (and even be embraced by) Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good:

Congregants in our pews need to know that they should — and can — connect their workday world and their faith. So often they feel that God is just a Sunday God. Sometimes we as church leaders exhort our people to “live for Christ’s kingdom” but fail to explain adequately what that means for their lives Monday through Friday, nine to five. We must do a better job of inspiring our members about the role they can play in the mission of God and equipping them to live missionally through their vocation. [Read more…] about Kingdom Calling in the New Year