Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good [Paperback]

Amy L. Sherman (Author), Steven Garber (Afterword), Reggie McNeal (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2011

Imagine the scenarios:



Now imagine a parade in the streets for each event. That's the vision of Proverbs 11:10, in which the --the people who see everything they have as gifts from God to be stewarded for his purposes--pursue their vocation with an eye to the greater good.

Amy Sherman, director of the Center on Faith in Communities and scholar of vocational stewardship, uses the as a springboard to explore how, through our faith-formed calling, we announce the kingdom of God to our everyday world. But cultural trends toward privatism and materialism threaten to dis-integrate our faith and our work. And the church, in ways large and small, has itself capitulated to those trends, while simultaneously elevating the "special calling" of professional ministry and neglecting the vocational formation of laypeople. In the process, we have, in ways large and small, subverted our kingdom mandate.

God is on the move, and he calls each of us, from our various halls of power and privilege, to follow him. Here is your chance, keeping this kingdom calling in view, to steward your faith and work toward righteousness. In so doing, you will bless the world, and as you flourish, the world will celebrate.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Amy Sherman's carefully researched and theologically grounded work will serve as an inspiration and resource for churches needing to discover and deploy the passions and gifts of their people to faithfully serve the world outside the church. While targeted at pastors and church leaders, this book is also accessible and encouraging for the average congregant who has come to desire a more robust integration of faith and work, which extends from 'blooming where planted' to leading change initiatives within their existing workplaces and by starting new entrepreneurial ventures. Kingdom Calling captures and adds to the equipping and mobilizing 'how-to' we have discovered at Redeemer and would love to share with churches around the world." (Katherine Leary Alsdorf, founder and executive director, Center for Faith & Work, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City)

"Filled with careful research, inspiring examples, heroic people and epic stories, Kingdom Calling introduces the reader to the reality that William Gibson identified: 'The future is already here; it's just not evenly distributed.' This book will go a long way in helping us fast-forward that future." (Eric Swanson, Leadership Community Director for Externally Focused Churches, Leadership Network, and author of To Transform a City)

"It has been my experience that very few believers deal with one of the most significant issues of the Christian life: the relationship between what they do vocationally and what they are called to do by our Lord and Savior. It is impossible to live as a kingdom servant without considering your kingdom calling. Amy Sherman has articulated extremely well the theological foundation of a kingdom calling and then shown how to practically exercise that calling. It is a privilege for me to endorse this book wholeheartedly as a book that is not only well written, but more importantly one of immense importance." (Ron Blue, president of Kingdom Advisors)

"To me, this book is at the core of what kingdom living and engagement are all about. When the church in the West gets this, we are going to see transformation on an unimaginable scale. Solid theology, good stories and lots of practical application." (Bob Roberts Jr., senior pastor, NorthWood Church, and author of Real-Time Connections and Transformation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (December 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830838090
• ISBN-13: 978-0830838097
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Putting Money Where My Mouth Is May 9, 2012

By Mark D. Eckel

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a reviewer, I decided to put my money where my mouth is: I ordered a box of Amy Sherman's books and am giving them away. Amy L. Sherman's latest volume, Kingdom Calling, is a catalyst for generational change. The subtitle Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good is the accelerant needed for the catalyst to ignite the transformation. Countless talk about socio-economic concerns, but Sherman tells the stories of many who are doing, not talking. The full title also explains Sherman's belief. The King is king of the whole kingdom. The Church's focus often centers on itself and its work, whereas the work of The Church's people is who they are, where they are. `Calling' is that of folks changed by The Call, practicing agents of redemption as janitors, doctors, trades-people, lawyers, coaches, philanthropists, and all the multi-colored gifts of God's people (1 Peter 4.10). `Vocational stewardship' means the "intentional, strategic deployment" of a believer's full person and place "to advance foretastes of God's kingdom" (20). Far from programmatic, Christian work in the world is missional only insofar as it is personal: missio Dei per imago Dei, the mission of God through the image of God. `The common good' involves everyone within our sphere of influence who benefits from our God-given gifts. Inspired by a Tim Keller sermon on Proverbs 11.10, Sherman now inspires us to help communities flourish by the giving of ourselves to justice.

Sherman's biblical-theological mindset gives Kingdom Calling its strength. Scripture sets assumptions. Authors ere when practice drives principle, where what one does cancerously morphs into pragmatism. Scripture teaches, on the other hand, that hearing drives doing. Sherman frames her arguments within the parameters of God's words.... Her exegetical introduction alone is worth the price of the book. The words of Proverbs 11.10 ripple impact across waters needing to be stirred. Chapters one and two unpack the key ideas of `justice' and `peace' enacted by the `righteous' and `The Church'. Sherman allows biblical definitions correlated across The Bible to radiate their impact. Justice, for instance, is not simply standing against a problem or for a person. Biblical justice aims to rescue through opportunity finding its target in restoration. Biblical peace is a proposal across the quadrants of our lives: with God, ourselves, others, and creation. Sherman redefines what it means to be a "justice of the peace."

However, the marriage of justice with peace is sometimes obscured by those overseeing the ceremony. The `righteous' can subtract from the meaning of the gospel.

A context in which much Christian preaching, music and books emphasize a highly individualistic understanding of the gospel does not provide rich soil for the nurture of believers who will live as the tsaddiqim (righteous ones). . . . Put differently, it focuses only on what we've been saved from, rather than also telling us what we've been saved for (70-71).

So theology matters. As R. C. Sproul has said for years, "Right now, counts forever." Heaven does not mean much if earth means little. The gospel impacts the present for the future. Highlighting the Four Circles illustration by James Choung (78-82), Sherman refocuses the Christian mindset. God's original intention, damaged by our inherent corruption, finds earthly restoration in our gospel participation. Christians should contribute to God's cosmic plan through wholistic work: a dedication of our vocational selves to evangelism, compassion, and justice. Incarnational theology should be our response to brokenness wherever we are in whatever we do with whomever we meet.

Excitement surges through readers as they encounter story after story after story about how believers are enacting their giftedness for the benefit of others. Accounts of daily work for The King pulse through every chapter, every page. "Christian architects, engineers, business owners, historians, entertainers, photographers, chemists, dancers, sales reps, lawyers and real estate appraisers" (91) have their stories told.

What the individuals and church leaders profiled in this book have accomplished is not outside the realm of possibility. These are people like you; these are congregations like yours (224).

But Kingdom Calling supplies the reader with biblical-practical tools to engage any community. Part 2 identifies how to disciple for vocational stewardship: the integration, inspiration, discovery, and formation of faith with work. God's intention for work has not changed since Genesis 1 and 2. Sin's corruption is overcome by salvation's redemption. Sherman offers the collaborative best of many vocational stewards as they enact their `dimensions of vocational power' (120-26). Seven facets of stewardship are much more than leadership lessons baptized with Bible verses; they comprise the thinking-being-doing of Christians dedicated to missio Dei per imago Dei. We have been given a time and place to live with vocational giftings to be God's hands in God's world.

Sherman gives `four pathways' empowering those hands to deploy their vocational power: blooming, donating, inventing, and investing. The biblical concept of place is given short shrift in biblical theology until recently. "Bloom where you're planted" takes on its original meaning in a Christian context. We should be who we are, where we are, with what we have. "Volunteering" retains its others-centered focus with others-connected partnerships in the gospel. "Inventing" sees peoples' needs and seeks ways toward "investing" where intentionality cushions the poor instead of padding bank accounts. Vocational stewardship, it must be warned, is no panacea. There are pitfalls and temptations to be overcome. Sherman's honesty with each story's difficulties reminds us that we enact our vocational intentions within a fallen culture. Yet the joy of `the city' resounds in each community where Sherman finds believers who engage their calling.

Since reading Kingdom Calling I've been texting and emailing church and academic leaders around the country to encourage the addition to reading and syllabi. Indeed Sherman's book has now been included seminal courses where I teach. We can thank Amy Sherman for a book which demonstrates true biblical praxis: common grace for the common good. And if you come by my office, I'll give you a copy from the box full I ordered. Kingdom Calling should be given to Christians so they can give themselves away. [...] Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspiring Read December 12, 2011

By Jessica

Format:Paperback

Dr. Sherman's book Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good inspires readers to overcome the sacred/secular divide that is so prevalent in our Christian culture today. With sound theology and countless real-life examples of vocational stewardship in action, Dr. Sherman crafts a book that convicts the hearts of those of us who have too often separated Sunday teaching from Monday work. This book provides excellent tools and wisdom for pastors and church leaders in how they should lead their congregants into lives of vocational stewardship. Even though the audience of this book is intended for pastors and church leaders, I, as a recent college graduate, found this book extremely helpful. As I look to start a career, this book provided me with new insight on how I can use my work and vocation to further the kingdom of God. Kingdom Calling opened new doors into realizing that my work matters because I am using the gifts and talents God has given me to promote the common good and advance his kingdom.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, inspiring, must-read book on vocation December 6, 2011

By Kelly

Format:Paperback

In Kingdom Calling, Dr. Sherman addresses a fundamental problem: the disconnect many Christians feel from what they learn and hear about on Sunday mornings in church, and the reality of their worklife Monday to Friday. In many ways, our Christian leaders are responsible: too many either ignore questions of vocation, continuing to perpetuate the "sacred/secular divide;" or teach an anemic approach to faith/work integration that focuses only on ethics and evangelism. With her book, Dr. Sherman addresses church leaders and instructs them on how to inspire, equip and deploy their members to live missionally in and through their work.

Dr. Sherman's book is distinct in a number of ways. First- while many books on vocation are often directed to lay people, her book is purposed foremost to church leaders. Second, while her book is theologically sound, it is also incredibly practical- Dr. Sherman has interviewed literally hundreds of men and women in all sorts of vocations, telling their stories and highlighting how they have practically lived out their faith through their work.

Although I am not a church leader, I found this book incredibly inspiring. It has helped me to see why my work matters- the answer is not simply because it can fund missions or because I'm working ethically and sharing my faith. While those things are important, my work matters because God created me with my unique gifts and passions in order to do the specific work I am currently doing- work that advances the Kingdom and benefits the common good. My work has lasting Kingdom value that I will see evidence of in the new heavens and new earth.

Kingdom Calling serves to address the 'Sunday to Monday' divide.... It lifts vocation to the high ranking it deserves, and serves to help church leaders understand how to equip the congregants for the "good work prepared in advance" for them. This is a must-read for church leaders and lay members all. Read more ›

5.0 out of 5 stars You should not miss this book September 24, 2012

By Andrew H. Trotter

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Dr. Amy Sherman has given us a thoroughly enjoyable examination of what it means to live in God's world and work for Him. Few books outline so well how "calling" really is supposed to be understood.

4.0 out of 5 stars Taking Christian professionalism to a higher level September 3, 2012

By Paul A. Mastin

Format:Paperback

I have long admired Amy Sherman, both for her insightful writing and for her practical experience in social ministry. Her practical experience and her research come together in Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good. More than just another book about Christians in the marketplace, Dr. Sherman wants the reader to understand his or her vocation as a means to extending the Kingdom of God.

Sherman directs Kingdom Calling primarily to pastors and ministry leaders, in hopes that rather than viewing vocation as something incidental or secondary to the "real" work of the Christian life, pastors will support their flock in directing them to see their "secular" careers as outlets of service. Sherman talks about finding our "vocational sweet spot," where God's priorities, the world's needs, and the individual's passions and gifts intersect.

Kingdom Calling can be a great tool for church leaders, especially those who have a hard time leading professionals in their congregation into meaning service that utilizes their gifts. It can also be enlightening for career guidance, as many who want to serve God have a mindset that views traditional church-based ministries as the only way to serve God whole-heartedly.

Sherman provides a large number of examples from a wide variety of occupations, yet her examples and arguments apply best to professional, entrepreneurial, and creative occupations. I don't see a lot here for someone who works in a low-level job in a large corporation, in the service industries, in manufacturing. She makes some nods in their direction, but a reader in one of those groups might be left thinking he needs to find something else to do if he wants to participate in a kingdom calling....

Nevertheless, Kingdom Calling is a great resource. If you have always had a feeling that there is more to being a Christian in the workplace than having integrity and witnessing to your coworkers, Sherman, while certainly affirming that understanding, will expand your understanding of living out your vocation in the Kingdom. Read more ›