Christian Higher Education for Vocational Living

Abstract

Abstract Despite the increased interest and research into the concept of vocation or calling, students are still prone to a reductionist understanding of vocation as primarily their job or career (Kleinhans, 2016; Moser & Fankhauser, 2018; Setran, 2011). Christian higher education institutions have a unique opportunity to help students navigate these potential pitfalls and think more deeply about both their vocation and their occupation. This article highlights shortcomings that result from overly identifying one’s vocation with one’s work and advocates for a mindset of vocational living, which is rooted in a more holistic perspective that recognizes vocation’s broader connection to foundational Christian concepts such as humanity’s creation in the image of God and the call to salvation in and discipleship to Christ (Pfeiffer, 2014; Shatzer, 2019; Waalkes, 2015). This article challenges leaders to ask probing questions and seek opportunities to align the organizational life and practices of the university with this concept of vocational living. Finally, this article also seeks to encourage further research into conceptual perceptions of vocation, as well as into institutional practices that equip students to respond to their calling throughout their lives.