Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good

The author is the principal of the Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation and Culture, which is focused on the meaning of vocation and the common good. The credo of this Institute is that vocation is integral, not incidental, to the missio Dei, and we work that out in many different ways in our teaching and writing courses and curriculum. This book is an effort within that larger work, inviting you in its own way to “come and see” that this vision of vocation is being lived into by men and women, younger and older, who are committed to a faith that shapes vocation that shapes culture. To learn to see, to see ourselves implicated in history, to see that we share a common vocation to care not only for our own flourishing, but for the flourishing of the world, is the vision that has brought this book into being.The author introduces us to his friends from near and far, men and women who incarnate the reality that we can know and still love the world, even with its wounds, perhaps especially in its wounds whether they be in family or friendship, psychological or sociological, in economic life or political life, in the arts or in education, in small towns or on complex continents. All day, every day, there are both wounds and wonders at the very heart of life, if we have eyes to see. And weeing what Weil called learning to know, to pay attention is where vocations begin. In their own ways the sociological and philosophical faces of our world conspire to haunt us. Attending to the info-glut character of contemporary culture, carries with it the ironic edge that the more we know, the less we care; the more information we have, the less engaged by it we are. Responding to the critique of postmodernism, a word that was used as early as the 1960’s to explain the soul strained character of contemporary life that makes most of us wonder whether anything is ever really true for everyone all the time. We do not need to read the philosophers to understand this. As the twentieth has become the twenty-first century the air we breathe is full of the ether of ‘whatever’. In the next chapter we will explore the meaning of both, weighing their influence upon our ability to be fully and responsibly human. Knowing what I know about the way the world is, what am I going to do? A mime in Europe had to answer, as did the Nazi bureaucrats, as did the Justice Department lawyer, as do all of us. Percy’s question echoes through the heart of every human being =m and it is especially poignant for those coming out of the starting blocks of early adulthood with a life of knowing and doing on the horizon. The question requires an answer if we are going to be human.The book is filled with aspects of a vocation and how vocations are fulfilled by many, what happened in the culture that deterred many from answering a specific call, and people who decide to live out their vocation with other members. This communal aspect is one we are still working hard on. The reader will see the joys and struggles of a life with Christ and others and what is needed to fulfill the vocation.Steven Garber, the author leaves us with a prayer for Vocations:God of heaven and earth, we pray for your kingdom to come, for your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Teach us to see our vocations and occupations as woven into your work in the world this week, For mothers at home who care for children for those whose labor forms our common life in this city, the nation and the world, for those who serve the marketplace of ideas and commerce, for those whose creative gifts nourish us all, for those whose callings take them into the academy for those who long for employment that satisfies their souls and serves you, for each one we pray asking for your great mercy. Gove us eyes to see that our work is holy to you, o Lord, even as our worship this day is holy to you. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

A great read—well written!! Already quoted Steven in a presentation before a city council to encourage the support of a proposed tiny home village for the homeless!!

This was on my new year reading list and was a quick read due to most of the book being a collection a mini-biographies. I enjoyed it, even though it wasn't what I expected. The themes of the book are well articulated and like any good author those are the points that last with us, such as "knowing what you now know, will you still love?" It's a call to suffer along with those who are suffering, to enter into the struggle with those around us and divide burdens so that by God's grace we might multiply blessings. This theme is straight out of James 1 which is to simply "hear" and agree with what is right is not love, it's not action, it's forgetfulness and foolishness. We must hear rightly, and obey fully. I found myself reflecting on what is my role in my own sphere of influence locally as I read the book and am grateful for it. Work in progress. It was chilling to read of individual and corporate responsibility that was perceived in the Nazi Holocaust and yet not acted upon. I believe we have opportunity to learn from, and act courageously in 2020 where others failed in human rights issues of their day. For all of those things I'm grateful I read this book.At times the book had a few too many stories per chapter (upwards of 10-15) for my preference, and I would have liked to see more character development in those short examples as opposed to the volume that's presented. The narrative of one who failed to act in Nazi Germany, as opposed to one who did act rightly had much more of a staying message than a table full of side narratives... at least for me. It's apparent Gerber is living his values and has touched countless lives and I thank God he's willingly shared those experiences here! Also, most of the stories came from academia or the numerous encounters he's had in Washington which I simply had trouble relating to. Eventually Gerber does concede that the majority of people will not be traveling across the globe to impact foreign nations etc and I really appreciated that, but most of the book still draws on these experiences so I had trouble envisioning change in my own city.All in all I'm grateful to have read this work! It's been a tool that the Lord's used to move me from disappointment and discouragement in the workplace to living out my purpose and value as God's wired me.

I wrote this endorsement for Visions of Vocation prior to the publication of the book in 2014. This book is even more important today as we see so much lostness in our world and a deep hunger for meaning in our lives. Its sound theology and rich, tender story telling draws us in and gives us hope."Visions of Vocation calls its readers to make a commitment to a journey, one of calling and courage that will challenge not just your mind but also your heart and your soul. This remarkable book will cause you to desire a whole new way of knowing and seeing. Steve Garber is a scholar, a teacher, and a man who thinks and speaks with rich visual imagery. In the last fifteen years the conversation on calling has been animated by many voices, and never far from these important dialogues you will find Steve Garber, asking the questions that have shaped and informed the trajectory of his work: What does it mean to be human? How are we to live? What truly matters? God calls us to engage this world in all its brokenness. We engage the world through our vocations, unique in many ways and yet common as well. Vocation, as Steve teaches us, is not less than our jobs, our careers, our craft. But so much more as we trace it back to the Creation narrative-the Imago Dei. How then do we embark on this journey of not just our heads, but our hearts. Visions of Vocation is a gracious and faithful companion for this journey, much like its author. Having known Steve for many years, I count myself privileged to have learned from him, been mentored by him and to call him friend."Lisa Pratt Slayton, CEO, Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation

Fans of Phillip Yancey will love this book. Lots of fascinating stories and ideas. I've been reading a lot about vocation because of my work and this is one of the best - especially as it never mentions ordination!If I have a negative, it's that most of the stories concern amazing people - the sort who have mega qualifications but give it all up to go and change the world. The ideas concern living the ordinary life for God, but the people he uses for illustrations are not ordinary. Nevertheless, highly recommended and five stars.

Great read