July 2, 2006 -
Cultivating a Culture of Calling among Baptists
The Shiloh Network is a covenant community of churches and church leaders who think imaginatively about Christian vocation and act creatively to promote a culture of calling. They mindfully practice the art of vocational nurture so that, like Samuel, a new generation will serve well the people of God.
God is calling men and women as the next generation of ministers. How will they discern that call, and who will guide them to respond faithfully? Churches also increasingly face leadership challenges: a shortage of experienced leaders, the lack of effective congregational participation in ministerial formation, and expanding gaps between excellent pastors and the churches that seek them. What can be done?
One biblical model is compelling. Hannah offered her child in service to God. Young Samuel awakened to the call of God in the temple at Shiloh. The old priest Eli, even in a time when “the word of the Lord was rare” and “visions were not widespread,” named the voice, recognized the claim of God upon the boy, and encouraged him to respond.
The first Shiloh experiment suggests that cultures of calling can be fostered in families, churches, and other communities of faith. Passionate pastors and nurturing congregations cultivate the conditions from which the next generation of ministers will be raised up.
Churches in the Shiloh Network work toward the goals of nurturing the called, qualifying ministers, and connecting churches.
For more information, please contact Jake Hall, Network Coordinator at 678.939.8235 or email at jhall@shilohnetwork.org
