Calling and Career
Being a follower of Christ, you are called; called to have a relationship with God (primary calling) and to honor Him in all things, including your work (part of your secondary callings).
None of us have the full picture of our career calling. Instead, we are invited to trust the character of God. He is our Good Shepherd who will guide, protect, lead, and care for us.
Discerning career calling is an active process for Christ-followers to engage in through understanding the elements of calling, self-knowledge and exposure to the world around them. Callings can shift, change, and unfold throughout one’s lifetime, requiring regular re-entry into the discernment process.
This page contains several resources to help you understand and discern your vocation and callings.
Books
How Then Should We Choose?: Three Views on God's Will and Decision Making
By Professor Douglas Huffman
Make Your Job a Calling Resource Guide
By Professor Arianna Malloy
Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential
By Gordon T. Smith
Consider Your Calling: Six Questions for Discerning Your Vocation
By Gordon T. Smith
Work in the Spirit: Toward a Theology of Work
By Miroslav Volf
Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good
By Steve Garber
Discovering God’s Will
By Sinclair Ferguson
God's Will: Finding Guidance for Everyday Decisions
By Maurice England, J. I. Packer, et al.
Videos
Chores and Treehouses
President of the VOCA Center, Chip Roper, speaks at The Biola Hour chapel.
Meaningful Work
Ariana Malloy discusses why it is so crucial that we find meaningful work, and how we can steward it well for the glory of God.
Quarter Life Calling
Paul Sohn shares about his book "Quarter-Life Calling" and how twenty-somethings can find purpose at the stage of life that they are living.
Developing a Sense of Calling
Rich Park shares a practical framework to help us confidently develop a sense of calling in our lives.
Calling in the Marketplace
Phillip Chang, founder and CEO of Yogurtland, joins us to talk about how he navigates faith in a competitive business environment.
Vocation and Calling
Lisa Igram and Chad Miller discuss the core meanings of vocation and calling.
Talbot Talks: Vocation & Calling
Scott Rae further defines vocation and calling along with practical advice for discernment.
Designing Your Life
A TEDx talk from Bill Burnett about how design thinking can help with understanding and planning your life.
How to Find and Live Your Calling
A TEDx talk from Bryan Dik about understanding calling from a psychological perspective.
Course: God and Your Work
Dr. Scott Rae helps you see your work and career as your ministry for God.