What Is Vocational Ministry?

The term "vocational ministry" is most often used to describe a career in which someone is paid to work full-time with a congregation or organization- for example as an Evangelist or Missionary.

"Vocation" comes from a root word meaning "calling". In a secular worldview, the word "Vocation" is often used interchangably with "Career" or "Profession". However, in a Christian worldview, our spiritual vocation may overlap our career, but not always.

"Ministry" means "service." In a secular context, this usually means Government Service. As Christians, we usually think of ministry as service to God. In either case, the word often brings up ideas of a special role reserved for a select few.  In contrast, the Bible invites all Christians to minister, and we do so in every area of our lives. Colossians 3:23–24 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."



So while "vocational ministry" usually refers to the work done by a person who makes their living through some sort of church-related work, all Christians have a type of vocational ministry. That vocation may or may not contribute to their finances, and it may or may not be immediately recognizable as "Christian." Ephesians 2:10 tells us that "we are [God's] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." God has placed a call on the lives of each of His children. When we are obedient to His call on our lives and walk in it with an attitude of service, we are doing vocational ministry.

Scholarship Opportunity for full-time  at Great Lakes Bible College

Do you or anyone in your congregation want to pursue full-time ministry? Perhaps you've been thinking about ministry as a second career, or as part of your early retirement plan.

Through planned giving, the Williams-Bennetts Fund has been created with the purpose of helping students step into to full-time studies and vocational ministry.

For qualifying students in Canada, tuition and the option for modest living expenses may be covered. The Williams and Bennetts families have been involved with Great Lakes Christian College and Great Lakes Bible College since their inception. This fund was established with their partnership to share God's blessings and honour that relationship. For more information, or to see if you qualify, please contact: immanuelvelasco@glbc.ca