TM

Sample  Excerpt  from  Manaul  –  May  2010  

www.callingcongregations.org
 
 
The  Following  Pages  are  Excerpts  of  the  Vocation  CARE  Leaders’  Manual:  Intergenerational  Model  for  the  
Exploration  of  Call  and  Christian  Vocations  
©  2010  by  The  Fund  for  Theological  Education  (FTE)  All  rights  reserved.  
 
No  part  of  this  Manual  may  be  reproduced,  distributed  or  sold  in  any  manner  whatsoever  without  
permission,  except  in  the  case  of  brief  quotations  embodied  in  critical  articles  or  reviews.    
 
For  information,  contact    
Calling  Congregations  
The  Fund  for  Theological  Education  
825  Houston  Mill  Road,  Suite  100  
Atlanta,  Georgia  30329  
 
FTE’s  website:  http://www.thefund.org    
 
Subsequent  pages  on  organizing  and  public  narrative  for  this  curriculum  has  been  adapted  from  the  
following  publications  by  Marshall  Ganz:    
 
• “Organizing  Notes,”  (©  Marshall  Ganz,  Kennedy  School  of  Government,  2008);    
• “Public   Narrative   Worksheet,”   (©   Marshall   Ganz,   Kennedy   School   of   Government,  
2006);  and    
• “Public   Narrative   Workshop   Guide,”   (©   Marshall   Ganz,   Kennedy   School   of   Government,  
2008).    
 
 
Unless   otherwise   indicated,   all   scripture   quotations   are   taken   from   the   New   Revised   Standard  
Version   of   the   Bible,   ©   1989   by   the   Division   of   Christian   Education   of   the   National   Council   of   the  
Churches  of  Christ  in  the  U.S.A.  Used  by  permission.  All  rights  reserved.  
 

 
 

-2-­‐
 Table  of  Contents  

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 4  
 
Why  This  Work  Matters.. ..................................................................................................................................5  
 
Overview............................................................................................................................................................7  
Why  Storytelling.................................................................................................................................. 8  
Why  a  Particular  Story  Structure ........................................................................................................ 9  
 
How  to  Use  this  Manual......................................................................................................................................  
 
Season  of  CARE:  VoCARE  Curriculum................................................................................................................  
 
The  Six-­‐Week  VoCARE  Curriculum  at  a  Glance ................................................................................. 10  
 

Week  1:  Create  a  Space  –  Vocation  Care  Practices ........................................................................... 12  

 

Week  2:  Create  a  Space  –  Language  of  Call  and  Story .........................................................................  
 

Week  3:  Self-­‐Awakening  Questions.......................................................................................................  

 

Week  4:  Reflect  Theologically  on  Self  and  Community  –  Our  Stories .................................................  
 

Week  5:  Reflect  Theologically  –  Vocation  Care  in  Our  Congregation..................................................  

 

Week  6:  Establish  Ministry  Opportunities  to  Care  for  Vocation ..........................................................  
 
 
Season  of  Preparation:  Leadership  Curriculum................................................................................................  
 
The  Six-­‐Week  Leadership  Curriculum  at  a  Glance ................................................................................  
 

Week  1:  Building  Relationships ..............................................................................................................  

 

Weeks  2-­‐3:  Create  a  VoCARE  Leadership  Team ....................................................................................  

 

Weeks  4-­‐6:  Devising  a  Strategy  for  Mobilizing  Participation ...............................................................  

 

Resources ............................................................................................................................................................  
 

Glossary  of  Terms...................................................................................................................................  

Definitions  for  Vocation  and  Discernment............................................................................................  
Plan  of  Action  after  the  Congregational  Retreat..................................................................................  
Evaluation  of  the  Season  of  CARE:  Six-­‐Week  VoCARE  Curriculum ......................................................  
Evaluation  of  the  Season  of  CARE:  Six-­‐Week  Leadership  Curriculum .................................................  
Leadership  Team  Weekly  Pre-­‐Meeting  Agendas ..................................................................................  
Weekly  VoCARE  Agenda  Outlines .........................................................................................................  
 

-3-­‐
  
Introduction  
On  behalf  of  The  Fund  for  Theological  Education  (FTE),  we  are  delighted  that  you  have  decided  to  
use   this   curriculum   as   a   way   for   your   congregation   to   explore   its   role   over   the   next   six   weeks   in  
cultivating  questions  of  vocation  in  the  hearts  and  minds  of  young  people.  
 

FTE   seeks   to   enable   diverse   and   gifted   young   people   throughout   the   Christian   community   to  
explore   and   respond   to   God’s   call   in   their   lives,   particularly   the   consideration   of   the   call   to   pastoral  
ministry.  While  it  is  certainly  God  who  calls  us,  vocation  care  is  an  active  role  that  your  congregation  
can  take  in  discerning  God’s  call.    
 

Congregations   and   communities   need   gifted   leaders.   Congregations   can   work   together   to   help  
identify  and  support  future  leaders  by  taking  action  to  “notice,  name  and  nurture”  young  members  
in   their   calling   –   what   we   call   “vocation   care.”   It   consists   of   communal   practices   in   which   all  
Christians  grow  together  into  a  life  “worthy  of  the  calling  to  which  we  have  been  called  together  
with  one  another”  (Ephesians  4:2).

By   participating   in   these   practices,   you   are   joining   a   growing   network   of   local   churches   that  
recognize  what  is  at  stake  in  developing  the  next  generation  of  leaders,  particularly  gifted  young  
pastors  the  church  needs  now  and  will  need  in  the  future.  
   

These   practices   are   unique   in   each   church,   tradition   and   context.   And   yet,   there   are   observable  
disciplines   that   can   be   named   as   four   core   congregational   Vocation   CARE   practices.   The   acronym  
CARE  stands  for:  
 

C  –  Create  space  to  explore  Christian  vocation  together;  

A  –  Ask  self-­‐awakening  questions  together;  
R  –  Reflect  theologically  on  self  and  community;  and  
E  –  Establish  ministry  opportunities  
 

Through   this   six-­‐week   curriculum,   you   will   lead   your   congregation   to   explore   its   role   in   nurturing  
vocation   and   call.   In   the   following   pages,   the   curriculum   provides   instructions   for   how   to   create   an  
intergenerational   space   for   developing   leaders,   how   to   nurture   and   discern   vocation   through  
certain   practices,   how   to   lead   a   small   group   each   week   through   the   curriculum,   and   how   to   lead  
adults  in  their  own  discernment  regarding  a  commitment  to  vocation  care  with  young  people.    
 
This   curriculum   is   not   a   complete   model,   but   it   is   a   work   in   progress.   Your   experimentation   and  
adaptation  of  it  will  help  FTE  to  continue  learning  and  refining  this  model.  However,  we  think  you  
will  find  what  you  need  to  get  started  in  your  journey  toward  vocation  care.    
 

We  hope  that  you  will  find  this  curriculum  to  be  both  of  value  and  importance  for  guiding  your  next  
faithful  steps.  Our  prayer  is  that  this  model  becomes  a  resource  for  your  congregation  to  reclaim  
practices   of   vocation   care   and   teach   them   to   your   children   and   youth   so   that   they   may   make  
choices  for  their  future  together  in  service  to  God’s  church  in  the  world.    
 

Blessings,  
The  Calling  Congregations  Staff  
-4-­‐
Why  This  Work  Matters  
 
The  strategy  we  are  contemplating  in  this  model  grows  out  of  a  certain  history  and  context.  Since  
1954,  FTE  has  supported  the  development  of  the  next  generation  of  leaders  for  the  church.  Since  its  
inception,   FTE   has   made   financial   awards   and   provided   a   network   of   support   to   young   people   who  
sense   a   call   to   pastoral   ministry.   We   have   implemented   many   different   programs   to   encourage   and  
support   young   people   for   church   leadership,   but   our   core   mission   remains   the   same:   to   identify,  
nurture  and  support  the  next  generation  of  gifted  leaders.  Our  means  and  methods  are  different  
and   appropriately   so.   Every   generation’s   needs   must   be   met   in   the   particularity   of   their   time   and  
place.  And  the  world  today  is  not  quite  exactly  as  it  was  in  1954.  
 
So  where  were  these  bright,  gifted,  faithful  young  people  –  people  who  want  to  serve  the  church  –  
to   be   found?   In   the   late   1990s,   Lilly   Endowment   Inc.   (the   Endowment)   made   large   strategic  
investments  in  places  where  they  believed  young  people  could  be  influenced  to  consider  ministry:  
high   school   youth   programs   and   college   programs.   From   2002-­‐2005,   FTE   broadened   its   focus  
beyond   the   individual   to   include   communities   of   faith   in   which   young   people   formed   Christian  
identity  and  learned  to  listen  for  God’s  call,  particularly  asking  how  to  put  the  question  of  calling  the  
next   generation   of   leaders   before   congregations.   And   FTE   and   the   Endowment   began   to   explore  
how  to  put  the  question  of  calling  the  next  generation  of  leaders  before  congregations.  (Watch  the  
Why   Us,   Why   Now   video   and   other   videos   of   church   leaders   sharing   their   stories   about   this   important  
work  at  http://vimeo.com/channels/vocationcare#6930423.)  
 
One   of   our   underlying   assumptions   has   been   that   the   question   of   ministry   is   embedded   within   a  
larger  question  of  vocation.  If  young  people  were  taught  to  ask  “What  am  I  to  do  with  my  life  –  my  
whole   life   –   in   light   of   my   faith?”   or   “What   is   my   part   in   God’s   dream?”   the   question   of   whether  
those  young  people  have  been  called  to  ministry  might  become  more  clear.    
 
In   1969,   Frederick   Buechner,   one   of   the   very   first   FTE   Trial   Year   Fellows,   wrote   an   essay   entitled  
“The  Calling  of  Voices.”  Buechner  writes  that  although  we  talk  about  choosing  a  vocation,  it  is  at  
least  as  accurate  to  talk  about  a  vocation  choosing  us,  of  a  call  being  given  and  of  us  hearing  or  not  
hearing,  listening  or  not  listening,  responding  or  not  responding.  We  think  of  our  work  –  your  work  
–  as  creating  space  for  the  hearing  and  practices  of  listening  and  pathways  to  responding.  This  is  
necessary   work   because   it   is   not   easy   to   hear   and   listen,   much   less   to   respond.   When   Buechner  
wrote  this  essay  40  years  ago,  he  cautioned  us  that  the  call  is  hard  to  hear:  
 
The  danger  is  that  there  are  so  many  voices,  and  all  in  their  ways  sound  so  promising.  The  
danger   is   that   you   will   not   listen   to   the   voices   that   speak   to   you   through   the   seagull  
mounting  the  gray  wind,  say,  or  the  vision  in  the  temple,  that  you  do  not  listen  to  the  voice  
inside   you   or   to   the   voice   that   speaks   from   outside   but   specifically   to   you   out   of   the   specific  
events  of  your  life,  but  that  instead  you  listen  to  the  great  blaring,  boring,  banal  voice  of  our  
mass  culture,  which  threatens  to  deafen  us  all  by  blasting  forth  that  the  only  thing  that  really  
matters  about  your  work  is  how  much  it  will  get  you  in  the  way  of  salary  and  status.1  
 
1
 Frederick  Buechner,  Secrets  in  the  Dark:  A  Life  in  Sermons,  (New  York:  Harpers  Collins,  2006),  p.  35.    
-5-­‐
The   “great   blaring,   boring,   banal   voice   of   our   mass   culture”   is   loud.   When   Buechner   spoke   these  
words,  there  were  only  three  networks  on  television  and  no  remote  control,  the  coolest  kids  had  
transistor  radios  and  the  places  to  shop  were  closed  on  Sunday  –  before  the  Internet,  MTV,  24-­‐hour  
movies   on   demand,   i-­‐everything   and   mass   merchandizing   to   teenagers.   How   much   harder   is   it   to  
listen  now?  How  much  harder  is  it  to  hear  what  Howard  Thurman  calls  the  “sound  of  the  genuine?”  
In  a  speech  by  that  name,  Thurman  says,  "There  is  something  in  every  one  of  you  that  waits  and  
listens  for  the  sound  of  the  genuine  in  yourself.  It  is  the  only  true  guide  you  will  ever  have.  And  if  
you  cannot  hear  it,  you  will  all  of  your  life  spend  your  days  on  the  ends  of  strings  that  somebody  
else  pulls."2    
 
Our  world  desperately  needs  people  who  don’t  spend  their  lives  on  the  ends  of  strings  somebody  
else  pulls.  We  live  at  a  hinge  point  in  history.  Technology  challenges  what  it  means  to  be  human,  
earth’s  survival  is  imperiled,  and  the  definition  and  structure  of  church  is  constantly  changing.  You  
don’t   need   convincing   that   at   this   hinge   point   in   history   the   world   cries   out   for   good,   creative  
faithful  and  smart  leaders  to  respond  to  its  needs,  and  the  young  people  in  our  care  are  at  risk  of  
not  hearing,  not  listening  and  not  responding.  
 
What   if   young   people   were   taught   to   ask   “What   am   I   to   do   with   my   life   –   my   whole   life   –   in   light   of  
my  faith?”  or  “What  is  my  part  in  God’s  dream  of  Shalom?”  We  think  the  question  of  whether  I  am  
called   to   ministry,   embedded   in   the   call   of   vocation   issued   to   all   the   baptized,   might   more   easily   be  
heard.   We   think   of   our   work   –   your   work   in   this   six-­‐week   curriculum   and   afterward   –   as   creating  
space  for  hearing,  learning  the  practices  of  listening  and  opening  up  pathways  for  responding.  
 
Therefore,   we   come   to   this   moment   in   time,   to   meet   this   call,   rejoicing   in   the   abundance   of  
resources  we  have  and  the  blessedness  of  our  own  limitations.  We  don’t  have  time  to  waste.  Our  
children   need   us.   The   church’s   future   and   the   needs   of   our   society   depend   on   us.   So   let   us   share   in  
this  work  together  of  leading  new  generations,  and  those  yet  born,  to  respond  to  the  call  and  to  
change  the  world.  
 

 
 
 
 

2
  Excerpt   from   Dr.   Howard   Thurman’s   Baccalaureate   Address   –   Spelman   College,   May   4,   1980.   Edited   by   Jo   Moore  
Stewart,  Editor  of  the  Spelman  Messenger.
-6-­‐
Overview  
 
Purpose:  To  explore  why  we  care  about  Christian  vocation  and  the  call  to  ministry,  and  how  your  
congregation   can   support   the   emerging   vocation   of   every   Christian   (young   people,   in   particular).  
The  goal  of  this  work  is  to  create  a  “culture  of  call”  within  the  congregation  that  helps  notice,  name  
and   nurture   the   next   generation   of   pastoral   leaders,   and   cultivate   a   growing   network   of  
congregations  that  support  one  another  in  that  cause.  
 
Method:  To  explore  why  you  should  care  about  vocation  by  practicing  Vocation  CARE  practices,  and  
to  learn  how  to  prepare  a  congregation  to  practice.  
 
1.  To  explore  why  you  care  about  vocation  by  engaging  the  following  VoCARE  practices:    
 
C  -­‐  create  a  space  to  explore  Christian  vocation;    
A  -­‐  ask  self-­‐awakening  questions;    
R  -­‐  reflect  theologically  on  self  and  community;  and    
E  -­‐  establish  ways  to  Enact  support  for  vocation  with  young  people  in  our  congregation.  
 
The   first   two   meetings   of   the   curriculum   are   devoted   to   the   practice   of   creating   an  
intergenerational  space  to  explore  vocation  space  by  clarifying  what  we  mean  and  providing  steps  
for  how  to  do  that.  In  the  next  meeting,  you  will  explore  what  the  words  “Christian  vocation”  and  
“call”   mean   and,   with   some   common   understanding,   explore   what   they   mean   to   your   members  
(personally  and  as  a  congregation).  Specifically,  why  you  should  care  about  call  and  vocation.    
 
2.  How  to  prepare  a  congregation  to  practice  Vocation  CARE.  
 
In  order  for  your  congregation  to  practice  VoCARE,  you  will  have  to  prepare.  Members,  young  and  
old,   will   want   to   know   what   you   are   inviting   them   to   do,   why   you   are   personally   invested   in  
vocation  care  and  why  they  should  also  be  invested.  (Consider  watching  the  Why  Us,  Why  Now  video  
and   other   videos   of   church   leaders   sharing   their   stories   about   this   important   work   at  
http://vimeo.com/channels/vocationcare#6930423.)   Many   congregations   will   support   young   people  
in   the   church,   so   invite   young   church   leaders   to   be   on   your   intergenerational   VoCARE   leadership  
team.  Your  team  must  utilize  their  leadership  and  voices  in  making  announcements  and  appeals  in  
worship  services  and  having  one-­‐on-­‐one  conversations  with  people  to  invite  them  to  participate  in  
the  six-­‐week  VoCARE  curriculum.    

We   know   it’s   a   challenge   to   convince   church   members   why   this   is   important   –   why   they   should   get  
involved  in  yet  another  church  ministry.  We  are  suggesting  that  you  engage  a  particular  leadership  
curriculum   that   builds   the   capacity   of   your   VoCARE   Leadership   Team   to   identify,   recruit   and  
develop   leadership   through   the   art   of   storytelling.   It   is   a   practice   that   brings   people   together;  
challenges   and   mobilizes   them   to   exercise   their   responsibility   to   act   on   behalf   of   their   shared  
convictions   about   noticing,   naming   and   nurturing   vocation   and   call   with   young   people   in  
congregations.    

-7-­‐
This   six-­‐week   leadership   curriculum   will   serve   as   a   guide   for   you   to   find   shared   leadership   and  
participation   in   this   ministry   by   helping   you   to   identify   other   members   who   are   motivated,   inspired  
and  committed.  
 
Why  Storytelling?    
 
We   tell   stories   because   our   lives   are   inherently   storied.   Within   each   person   there   are   many   little  
stories   longing   to   be   shared   as   expressions   of   our   own   meaning,   making   and   purpose   –   our  
vocation  or  call  –  in  the  world.  We  narrate  our  lives  between  birth  and  death  through  stories.  We  
retell   our   stories   as   a   means   of   making   sense   of   our   lives;   understanding   our   identity   and   values;  
discovering  our  gifts  and  passions;  and  interpreting  our  lives  in  light  of  the  Christian  story  of  God’s  
healing  work  in  the  world  through  the  life  and  teachings  of  Jesus.    
 
Stories   invite   others   into   our   lives   to   learn   about   our   journeys   and   make   connections   that   resonate  
with   their   own   stories.   They   also   are   a   means   for   building   relationships   and   solidarity   among   the  
community  of  Christians  participating  in  this  curriculum.  Therefore,  we  tell  stories  throughout  this  
curriculum  primarily  for  two  reasons:    
 

1) Jesus   told   stories   as   a   means   to   teach,   to   communicate   what   he   valued   and   to   invite   others   who  
shared  his  values  to  follow  him  as  disciples  and  leaders  of  a  movement  first  known  as  the  Way.    
 
2) Our   Christian   and   congregational   identities   are   part   of   a   larger   Christian   story.   We   tell   and   enact  
stories  through  denominational  and  church  traditions,  symbols,  rituals  and  liturgy  that  help  us  make  
sense  of  our  Christian-­‐ness—our  particular  way  of  being  Christ’s  body  in  the  world.    
 
How  is  storytelling  used  differently  in  the  VoCARE  and  Leadership  Curriculums?  
   
In  the  Six-­‐Week  Vocation  CARE  Curriculum,  you  will  share  stories  as  a  means  for  making  sense  of  
your   life,   understanding   your   identity,   and   interpreting   your   lives,   gifts   and   purpose   through   a  
theological   lens.   Stories   are   used   to   build   relationships   and   solidarity   among   the   community   of  
disciples  participating  in  the  curriculum.  Through  our  stories,  we  teach  what  we  value  in  hopes  that  
others  will  identify  with  us  toward  a  committed  practice  of  vocation  care.    
 
In   the   Leadership   Curriculum,   you   will   share   stories   in   purposeful   ways   in   hopes   of   recruiting  
people   to   join   your   VoCARE   Leadership   Team   who   share   similar   convictions   about   the   care   of  
vocation.  Your  leadership  teams  will  share  stories  in  hopes  of  identifying  congregational  members  
who  share  similar  values  and  who  will  participate  in  the  six-­‐week  VoCARE  curriculum.  We  assume  
that  there  are  at  least  four  underlying  convictions  at  work  among  those  leading  and  participating  in  
the  curriculum:    
 
1. All   Christians   are   called   by   God   and   have   a   vocation;   that   is,   a   way   to   participate   in   God’s  
saving  work  in  the  world    
2. The   consistent   witness   of   Scripture   and   our   own   experiences   tell   us   that   discernment   of   call  
and  vocation  (care  for  vocation)  is  done  in  the  company  of  others    

-8-­‐
 3. God  calls  the  church  to  listen  together  for  God’s  call  and  to  support  one  another  in  faithful  
action  and  response    
4. Congregations  are  called  to  reclaim  practices  of  vocation  care  and  practice  them  with  their  
young  people  
 
Why  a  Particular  Story  Structure?  
 

Stories  teach  our  hearts  and  offer  an  empathetic  appeal  among  listeners.  Through  our  stories,  we  
teach  what  we  value—revealed  by  the  choices  we  have  made—and  hope  that  others  will  identify  
with   those   values.   You   will   practice   structuring   the   “My/Your/Our   Story”   to   probe   for   a   deeper   and  
shared   understanding.   The   self-­‐awakening   questions   and   your   reflections   together   will   lead   to   a  
fuller   understanding   of   why   your   congregation   cares   about   vocation.   When   your   congregation  
understands  why  “my/your/our”  congregation  cares  about  vocation,  and  the  need  to  intentionally  
cultivate  cultures  from  which  future  pastoral  leaders  will  emerge,  we  can  translate  why  into  what  –  
into  action.    
 
By  your  final  meeting,  when  you  understand  why  you  care  about  Christian  vocation  and  call,  then  
your  congregation  can  take  the  next  steps  to  notice,  name  and  nurture  vocation  in  every  member  
(and   emerging   vocations   or   pastoral   call   of   young   people,   in   particular).   That   is   one   purpose   of   the  
congregational  retreat,  the  sixth  VoCARE  meeting.  The  other  is  to  celebrate  your  season  of  care  for  
each  other  and  the  company  of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  your  exploration  of  God’s  call.  

-9-­‐
The  Six-­‐Week  VoCARE  Curriculum  at  a  Glance  
 
Week  1:     Create  a  Space  -­‐  Vocation  Care  Practice  
 

  Objectives:  
o What’s  at  stake  for  local  congregations  in  proactively  creating  a  “culture  of  call,”  and  
the  need  to  cultivate  future  pastoral  leaders  in  particular    
o Overview,  Purpose,  Goals,  People,  Timeline  and  Practices  
o Touchstones  –  “a  different  quality  of  space  and  the  norms  within  it”  
o Holy  Listening  –  “listening  in  a  posture  of  expectancy  and  honor”  
o Testimony  –  “telling  the  truth  of  our  lives  out  loud”  
o “My  Stories”  and  “Your  Stories”  
 

  Practice:      
o A  conversation  about  vocation  care  and  beginning  to  tell  “My  Stories”  and  hear  
“Your  Stories”  as  a  “story  space”  to  explore  vocation  
Question:  Speak  of  a  time  when  someone  took  you  and  your  gifts  seriously  and  you  
knew  they  did.  
   
Week  2:   Create  a  Space  –  Language  of  Call  and  Story    
   

  Objectives:  
o Understanding  Vocation  Care,  the  Season  of  Practice  and  our  conversations  
o Understanding  the  Language  –  “call”  and  “vocation”  
o “My/Your  Story”  with  language  of  call  and  vocation  
o “My/Your  Story”  with  a  story  of  challenge,  choice  and  outcome  
   

  Practice:      
o A  conversation  about  My  Story/Your  Story–the  name,  form  and  purpose  
Question:  Share  a  moment  in  your  life  when  you  felt  “called”  by  God,  felt  you  knew  your  
“purpose/passion  in  life”  or  a  time  when  you  felt  most  fully  alive  and  in  “full  bloom.”  
   
Week  3:     Ask  Self-­‐Awakening  Questions  –  Challenge,  Choice  and  Outcome  
 

  Objectives:  
o Developing  the  “My  Story”  with  challenge,  choice  and  outcome    
o Asking  “who,  what  and  why”  questions  at  choice  points  to  reveal  values  
o Asking  self-­‐awakening  questions  about  “Your  Story”  (companion  coaching)  
 

  Practice:  
o A  conversation  about  “My  Story/Your  Story”—a  deeper  exploration  
Questions:  Share  a  moment  in  your  life  when  you  felt  “called”  by  God  or  felt  you  knew  
your  “purpose/passion  in  life,”  or  a  time  when  you  felt  “alive  and  in  full  bloom.”  Who  
else  played  a  role?  What  challenge(s)  did  you  face?  What  did  you  do?  Why?  Where  did  
you  find  support?  
 
-10-­‐
Week  4:        Reflect  Theologically  on  Self  and  Community  –  Our  Stories  
   

  Objectives:  
o Reflecting  theologically  about  the  vocation  care  stories  in  our  congregation  
o Making  commitments  to  have  conversations  “outside”  VoCARE  participants  
o Practicing  for  the  “outside  conversations”  
o Bridging  from  My  Stories  and  Your  Stories  to  “Our  Stories”    
 

  Practice:  
o A  conversation  about  Our  Stories—vocation  care  stories  in  our  congregation  
 

Questions:  Why  should  we  invite  others  to  tell  their  My  Story?  Who  will  we  invite  and  how    
should  we  invite  them  into  this  conversation?  
 
Week  5:     Reflect  Theologically  on  Self  and  Community  –  Vocation  Care  in  Our  Congregation’s  
Story  
 

  Objectives:  
o Debrief  the  “outside  conversations”  
o Develop  the  “Our  Story”  
o Reflect  theologically  on  our  stories  with  Looking  For  God  Always  
o Look  toward  establishing  ministry  opportunities  to  care  for  vocation  
o Continue  the  “outside  conversations”  to  expand  the  Our  Story,  listening  for  shared  
experience  to  support  vocation  care  in  our  congregation  
 
  Practice:    
o A  conversation  about  vocation  care  in  Our  Story—the  emerging  story  
 

Questions:   What   are   we   learning   about   vocation   care   in   our   congregation   through   our  
“outside   conversations?”   How   might   God   be   calling   us   through   our   stories   to   respond   in  
action?  
 
Week  6:   Establishing  Ministry  Opportunities  Care  for  Vocation:  Our  Congregation’s  Next  Steps  
 

  Objectives:  
o Develop  the  Our  Story  of  vocation  care  through  an  Open  Space  action  retreat  
o A  congregational  conversation  about  our  call  to  care  for  vocation  
o How  might  God  be  calling  us  now  to  notice,  name  and  nurture  call  and  vocation  in  
our  congregation  and  with  our  young  people?  
-­‐ Visit  www.callingcongregations.org  to  explore  practical  ways  congregations  can  
support  ministry  engagement  with  young  people  
 

  Practice:  
o A  conversation  about  Our  Story  of  vocation  care  now  and  next  faithful  steps  
 

  Questions:  What  are  we  called  now  to  do?  What  is  our  next  faithful  action  step  to  care  for  
vocation  with  young  people  in  our  congregation?  

-11-­‐
 Week  1:  Create  a  Space—  Vocation  Care  Practices  

Leaders’  Scripted  Agenda  

 
Week  1:  Create  a  Space  –  Vocation  CARE  Practices  (105  minutes)  
 
Objectives:  To  begin  and  welcome;  to  create  a  space  of  relationship  (conversation);  to  create  a  space  
for  exploration  (story);  to  understand  what’s  at  stake  for  local  congregations  to  play  a  proactive  role  
in   creating   cultures   of   call   and   the   need   to   cultivate   future   pastoral   leaders   in   particular;   and   to  
overview  purpose,  process,  practice,  people  and  timeline.    
 
Welcome  (13  min)  
Note:  Review  Week  1:  Leadership  Team  Pre-­‐Meeting  Agenda  in  the  Resource  Section  prior  to  meeting  
 

Leader  Introductions  (3  min)  

Reflection  and  Prayer  (10  min)  
 

Suggestions  for  Week  1  Faith  Reflections:  Create  a  Space  to  Explore  Vocation  
 

• Can’t  do  better  than  Mary  and  Martha  (Luke  10:38-­‐42;  John  12:1-­‐3)  
 
 
Getting  Started  (17  min)  
1. Introductions  -­‐  Who  is  here?  What  calls  us  here?    
a. Share  your  name  and  a  reflection  in  1-­‐2  brief  sentences  on  this  question:    
• What  is  your  hope  for  this  time  together  with  your  congregation?  
b. Introduce  the  leadership  team  
 
2. Purpose,  Goals,  Timeline  
a. Name  the  process  moving  toward  faithful  response  to  this  question:  
• What   are   we   called   now   to   do   to   notice,   name   and   nurture   vocation   in   every  
Christian,  and  young  people,  in  particular?  
 
Purpose:   To   explore   why   we   care   about   Christian   vocation   and   the   call   to   ministry   and   how   our  
congregation  will  support  emerging  vocation  of  every  Christian,  and  young  people,  in  particular.    
 
We  will  explore  vocation  by:    
 
a) Taking  time  to  be  together  for  six  gatherings;  
b) Developing   new   and   deeper   relationships   among   We  want  to  know  what  makes  us  
members;   care   about   Christian   vocation   and  
c) Telling   stories   that   use   the   language   of   vocation   the   call   to   ministry,   and   know  
and  communicate  why  that  matters  to  us;  and  
what   we   want   to   do   about   it   on  
d) To  make  choices  about  how  we  may  be  called  to  
faithful  response  in  action. behalf   of   the   next   generation   of  
leaders  for  the  church.  
-12-­‐
 
   The   assumption   is   that   every  
Over   these   next   weeks,   we   will   explore   why   we   care  
about  vocation  by  practicing  Vocation  CARE.    
Christian   is   called   by   God   and  
  has  a  Christian  vocation—a  life  
What  is  Vocation  CARE?   to   be   lived   in   faithful   response  
Notice,   Name,   Nurture:   Vocation   CARE—or,   simply,   to   God’s   call   to   follow   Christ  
VoCARE—is   a   series   of   six   gatherings   in   which   our   Jesus   and   join   his   redeeming  
congregation  will  explore  Christian  vocation  and  call  and   work  in  the  world.    
practice  caring  for  vocation  in  ourselves  and  each  other.    
 
We   understand   that   while   it   is   God   who   calls   us,   there   is   an   important   role   for   others—the  
congregation  of  God’s  people—in  how  we  hear  that  call  and  seek  faithful  response.    
 
By  “Vocation  CARE,”  we  mean  how  congregations  notice,  name  and  nurture  vocation  together—
how   to   explore   and   support   vocation   in   every   Christian.   Vocation   CARE   means   caring   about  
vocation—our  own  and  others.  
 
At  every  stage  of  life’s  journey,  questions  of  meaning  and  purpose  in  life  are  important,  and  the  role  
of   trustworthy   companions   on   this   journey   is   critical.   For   our   children,   youth   and   young   adults,   a  
“companioned  walk”  supporting  emerging  vocation  at  a  time  when  it  is  tender,  tentative  and  under  
attack  is  even  more  pressing.    
 
How  do  congregations  care  well  for  vocation?  There  are  patterns  we  call  CARE  practices—that  is,  
the  acronym  CARE  which  stands  for:    
 
C  -­‐  create  a  space  to  explore  Christian  vocation;    
A  -­‐  ask  self-­‐awakening  questions;    
R  -­‐  reflect  theologically  on  self  and  community;  and    
E  -­‐  establish  ways  to  Enact  support  for  vocation  with  young  people  in  our  congregation.  
 
At   the   heart   of   all   Vocation   CARE   practices   are   relationships   and   in   this   Season   of   CARE,   we   will  
devote  a  lot  of  time  to  conversations  with  one  another  in  this  group.  We  will  explore  why  we  care  
about  vocation  in  the  Vocation  CARE  practices.  
 
The   “core   practice”   of   Vocation   CARE   is   a   conversation   or   what   we   will   call   “vocation  
conversation.”   Like   all   spiritual   disciplines,   they   are   practiced   with   care   and   attention   to   one  
another  and  the  Spirit  of  God  moving  in  our  midst.  (HANDOUT:  What  are  Vocation  Conversations)  
 
Our  journey  together  “on  vocation”  may  remind  you  of  the  long  conversation  Jesus  had  with  the  
disciples,  tending  vocation  together  as  they  learned  how  to  join  the  work  of  bringing  the  Kingdom  
of  Heaven  near  in  faithful  action,  what  they  had  been  called  to  do.    
 
Recognizing  and  Thanking  the  VoCARE  Leadership  Team  
A   leadership   team   from   our   congregation   has   been   working   for   some   time   to   create   a   space   to  
explore   vocation   care   together   in   our   congregation.   They   have   coordinated   all   arrangements   for  
our  weekly  meetings.  They  have  also  recruited  and  trained  new  leadership  in  the  preceding  months  

-13-­‐
leading  up  to  our  weekly  gatherings.  They  each  felt  called  to  this  work  and  have  served  the  team  
and  our  shared  call  wonderfully.  We  can  thank  God  for  them,  their  energy  and  their  gifts.  
 
What,  When  and  Where  Over  the  Next  Six  Weeks  
Between  now  and  the  congregational  retreat,  there  will  be  five  weekly  meetings  lasting  90  minutes  
to   two   hours   to   be   held   on   ____________________   (day   of   the   week)   at   _________   (time)   in  
___________________________   (location).   The   sixth   and   final   meeting   will   be   a   congregational  
retreat  on  ___________________________  (date/time/location).  This  is  when  our  congregation  will  
answer  the  following  question:    
 
What  is  our  next  most  faithful  action  to  notice,  name  and  nurture  vocation  with  young  people?  
 
Participants  in  VoCARE  will  have  three  conversations  with  a  VoCARE  Partner  during  the  first  three  
meetings  and,  during  the  final  three  weeks  of  the  Season  of  Practice,  they  will  have  two  to  three  
conversations  with  other  congregational  members.  
 
The   Season   of   Practice   will   provide   weekly   leadership   opportunities   for   _________   (number   of)  
people  not  part  of  the  leadership  team.  
 
We  will  celebrate  the  end  of  our  journey  together  in  worship.    
 
Overview  of  the  Six-­‐Week  VoCARE  Curriculum  and  Timeline    
The  first  two  weeks  are  devoted  to  the  practice  of  creating  a  space  to  explore  vocation  by  clarifying  
what   vocation   care   means.   The   next   time   we   meet,   we   will   explore   what   the   words   “Christian  
vocation”  and  “call”  mean  and,  with  some  common  understanding,  we  will  turn  to  exploring  what  
they   mean   to   us   (personally   and   as   a   congregation);   specifically,   why   we   care   about   call   and  
vocation.    
 
In  the  remaining  weeks,  we  will  learn  to  tell  a  story  structured  to  reveal  what  vocation  CARE  means  
to  us,  both  separately  and  as  a  whole  congregation.  The  story  that  tells  why  I/you/we  care  about  
vocation  moves  like  conjugating  a  verb;  My  Story,  Your  Story,  Our  Story  about  why  it  matters.    
 
We   practice   structuring   the   My/Your/Our   stories   many   times,   probing   for   deeper   understanding.  
The  self-­‐awakening  questions  and  our  reflections  together  on  My/Your/Our  stories  in  each  telling  of  
the   stories   weave   together   and   lead   to   a   fuller   understanding   of   why   my/your/our   congregation  
cares  about  vocation.  When  we  know  why  we  care,  we  can  translate  why  into  what—into  action.    
 
By  our  final  meeting,  when  we  know  why  we  care  about  Christian  vocation  and  call,  then  we  can  
establish  the  next  most  faithful  steps  to  notice,  name  and  nurture  vocation  in  every  member  and  
the  emerging  vocations  of  young  people,  in  particular.  That  is  one  purpose  of  the  congregational  
retreat,  the  sixth  VoCARE  meeting.  The  other  is  to  celebrate  our  Season  of  CARE  for  each  other  and  
the  company  of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  our  exploration  of  God’s  call  and  Christian  vocations  together.  
 

-14-­‐
  
VoCARE  Timeline  
 
Week  1:  
Create  a  space  to  explore  
Date  
Week  2:  
Create  space  in  language  and  story  
Date  
Week  3:  
Create  space,  story,  ask  questions  
Date  
Week  4:   Create  space,  story,  ask  questions,  and  invite  
Date   other  stories  
Week  5:   Create  space,  story,  ask  questions,  and  reflect  
Date   together  
Week  6  Retreat:   Create  space,  ask  questions,  reflect  and  
Date   establish/enact  
 
The   small   intergenerational   groups   of   four   to   six   people   you   are   with   now   (you   will   be   assigned  
after  today)  are  the  groups  you  will  remain  with  for  the  six  meetings.  Note:  Say  what  guided  your  
groupings,  if  applicable.  
 

-15-­‐
  
Introducing  the  Practice:  C  –  Create  a  space  of  being  and  doing  to  explore  (15  minutes)  
 
“This  room  is  just  a  room  until  we  create  a  space  by  our  presence  and  practice  in  it.”    
 
Touchstones,   Holy   Listening   and   Testimony   are   Vocation   CARE   practices   that   create   a   space   to  
explore  vocation  by  creating  a  unique  quality  of  space  together.  We  create  the  “space”  itself  by  our  
presence  and  these  practices.  Over  time,  the  practices  shape  our  openness  to  one  another  and  to  
the  Holy  Spirit.  
 
Touchstones  
Touchstones  for  creating  hospitable  space  are  a  number  of  “agreements”  or  covenants  we  make  
about   how   we   will   “show   up”—you   might   say—when   we   are   together;   they   are   inner   and   outer  
disciplines  to  enact  welcome  and  honor  for  each  person  present.  
QUOTE  FOR  THE  WEEK  
   
When   we   “rehearse”   them   over   time,   Touchstones   prepare   us   for   We   cannot   change   the  
the  role  of  trustworthy  companions  with  whom  to  wonder  together   world   by   a   new   plan,  
about  who  we  are  created  by  God  to  be  and  what  we  are  called  to   project   or   idea.   We   cannot  
do.   We   will   rehearse   these   Touchstones   each   time   we   meet—to   even   change   other   people  
create  our  space.   by   our   convictions,   stories,  
  advice   and   proposals,   but  
Holy  Listening  and  Testimony   we   can   offer   a   space   where  
In  the  Season  of  Vocation  CARE,  Holy  Listening  and  Testimony  invite   people   are   encouraged   to  
us  to  slow  down,  take  a  good  look  around,  tell  the  truth  of  our  lives   disarm   themselves,   lay  
aside  their  occupations  and  
out  loud  to  another  person  who  will  hear  and  honor  that  truth.    
preoccupations   and   listen  
  with   attention   and   care   to  
 As   we   use   it   here,   “Testimony”   means   honest   talk   about   one’s   life   the  voices  speaking  at  their  
experiences,  all  the  stories  that  give  meaning  to  our  lives.   own  center.  
   
Holy   Listening   is   hearing   another’s   truth   with   an   attitude   of   care   and   Henri   Nouwen,   Quoted   in   the  
expectation—leaning  in.   Exquisite  Risk  by  Mark  Nepo  
 
The  two  practices  together  are  a  practice  of  Christian  hospitality,  a  mutual  invitation  to  slow  down,  
to  be  both  hosted  and  host  to  our  emerging  vocations.  
 
 
As   the   Quaker   Douglas   Steere   writes,   “To   listen   to   another’s   soul   into   a   condition   of   disclosure   and  
discovery  may  be  the  greatest  service  that  any  human  being  ever  performs  for  another.”  
 
Touchstones,  Holy  Listening  and  Testimony  create  a  space  to  explore  vocation,  or  a  space  of  being.  

-16-­‐
  
Small  Group  Practice  (40  min)  
 
1. Introduce  Touchstones  
 
• Review  the  Touchstones  in  each  group  (HANDOUT:  Touchstones)  
 
• Discuss  among  yourselves  
- Which  of  the  touchstones  seems  most  obvious  or  natural?  
- Which  is  most  difficult?  Why?  
- What  would  it  take  to  overcome  the  difficulty?  
   
• Large  Group  
 
• Debrief  as  group  (5  min)  
- Was  there  consensus  in  any  group?  
- Ask  for  examples  from  a  few  people.  

“It  will  be  our  practice  to  revisit  the  Touchstones  each  time  we  meet  to  create  our  space  to  
be  together  to  explore  vocation.”  
   
 
2. Small  Group  Practice    
 
• Introduce  Holy  Listening  and  Testimony  (see  script  above  on  Holy  Listening)  
- We  are  going  to  practice  Holy  Listening  and  Testimony  now.    
 
• Turn  to  someone  in  your  group;  arrange  yourselves  in  pairs.  Let  me  know  if  anyone  does  not  
have  a  partner.  
 
• Decide  now  who  will  speak  first.    
 In  a  moment,  we  will  take  a  moment  of  silence  together,  and  then  one  of  you  will  
take  a  deep  breath,  and  begin  to  speak  for  two  minutes.  
 
 I  will  keep  time  and  stop  you  at  two  minutes  
 
• First  Speakers—Speak  about  a  time  when  someone  took  you  and  your  gifts  seriously.  A  time  
when  someone  took  you  and  your  gifts  seriously,  and  you  knew  it.  
 
 Don’t   worry   about   the   perfect   story.   You   do   not   have   to   worry   about   sounding  
smart   or   about   having   a   beginning,   middle   and   end.   Just   speak   the   words   that  
come  from  your  soul.  Pretend  you  have  all  the  time  in  the  world.  
 
 I’ll  stop  you  after  two  minutes.  

-17-­‐
  
• First  Listeners—you  will  only  listen.  You  don’t  have  to  think  about  what  you  are  going  to  say.  
You   are   a   calm   presence,   waiting   expectantly   to   hear   what   emerges—leaning   in.   Pretend  
you  have  all  the  time  in  the  world.  
 
 After  two  minutes  I  will  stop  you.  
 
• Begin.  (Set  timer  for  2  minutes)  
 
• What  did  it  feel  like  to  speak,  uninterrupted?  What  did  it  feel  like  to  listen?  Was  it  hard  to  find  
something  to  say?  Was  it  hard  to  focus  on  the  speaker?  Did  two  minutes  feel  like  a  luxury?  
Did  you  receive  one  small  whiff  of  what  it  would  be  like  to  have  someone  listen  as  if  they  had  
all  the  time  in  the  world?  
 
 Switch  roles.  Now  we  give  the  other  person  a  turn—speakers  will  be  listeners.  
 
• Repeat  instructions  for  both;  prepare  to  stop  them  at  2  minites.  
 
Debrief  Practice  (15  min)  
 
Did  it  feel  any  different?  Were  there  a  few  more  clues?  Could  you  imagine  yourself  listening  in  this  
way  to  a  child?  Think  of  a  child,  a  teen  or  a  young  adult  you  know—a  real  person—and  imagine  for  a  
minute,  a  time  and  a  place  where  this  kind  of  listening  might  happen.  Hard  to  imagine  or  easy?    
 
“For   the   next   six   weeks   in   this   Season   of   Vocation   CARE,   we   will   practice   creating   this   kind   of  
space—this  way  of  being  present  to  and  with  one  another  and  the  ‘Eternal  Listener,’  as  we  explore  
vocation  together.”  
 
Closing  (5  min)  
 
 Next  Steps  (2  minutes)  
1. Assign   participants   to   small   groups   of   four   to   six   (no   more;   a   smaller   group   is   better   than   a  
larger  group).  
 
2. Before   we   leave,   we   want   to   be   sure   that   everyone   has   a   clear   sense   of   what   the   four   Vocation  
CARE  practices  are  and  what  to  expect  over  the  next  weeks  we  are  together.  
 
3. Today  we  practiced:    
a. Creating  a  space  to  be  with  each  other—Touchstones  
b. Creating  a  space  to  explore  by  sharing  our  stories  
c. Both  Testimony  and  Holy  Listening,  balancing  roles  
d. Creating  a  different  quality  of  space  between  us  
 

-18-­‐
  
Announcements  (1  minute)  
1. Invite  volunteers  to  join  the  leader  Team-­‐of-­‐the-­‐Week  for  next  time;  stay  for  reflection  and  
evaluation  (10  min)  and  one  meeting  during  the  week  
2. Reminder:  Evaluation  of  today's  meeting  after  
3. Other  announcements  
 
Closing  Prayer  (1  minute)  

-19-­‐
  
Vocation  Conversation  –  What  it  Is  and  is  Not      HANDOUT  
 
VoCARE   conversations   are   “a   space”   of   trusted   companionship   in   which   to  bring   the   other   CARE  
practices—Ask   self-­‐awakening   questions,   Reflect   theologically   on   self   and   community,   and  
Establish  ministry,  the  movement  to  faithful  response  in  action.  The  questions  and  reflections  we  
share   together   in   conversations   are   a   kind   of   mutual   “coaching”   for   purposes   of   clarity   and   deeper  
meaning  in  our  My/Your/Our  Story.  
 
As   practiced   in   VoCARE,   conversations   are   face-­‐to-­‐face   meetings   in   which   two   or   more   people  
explore   call   and   Christian   vocations   in   the   stories   of   their   lives   and   experiences.   Our   spiritual  
practices  are  VoCARE  conversations,  Touchstones,  Testimony  and  Holy  Listening.  In  a  relationship  
of  mutual  mentoring—that  is,  as  companions  together  on  a  journey  to  understanding  and  meaning,  
learning  together  what  cannot  be  known  alone—we  wonder  out  loud  together  and  in  the  presence  
of  the  Holy  Listener.    
 
What  a  Vocation  conversation  Is  -­‐-­‐   What  Vocation  Conversation  is  Not  -­‐-­‐  

-­‐  a  meeting  in  public   -­‐  a  private  meeting,  behind  closed  doors  

-­‐  probing   -­‐  prying  

   
To  learn  about  self-­‐interests,  values;  why  you   Personal  information  that  does  not  clarify  
feel  called  to  nurture  call  in  yourself  and  others;   interests,  values  and  choice  points.  
what  you  would  like  to  see  change/grow  in  your  
congregation.  

-­‐  purposeful   -­‐  chit  chat  

   
A  time  to  deepen  trust  and  relatedness,  and   Just  talking  to  pass  time.  
CARE  for  vocation  together,  agreeing  to  share  
the  Season  of  CARE  and  respond  in  action  as  a  
congregation.  

-­‐  time     -­‐  random,  chance  encounters  

   
A  choice  to  make  time  to  explore  vocation  and   Free-­‐floating,  without  agenda,  open  to  
call  together.   interruptions,  no  time  limits,  not  a  phone  call,  if  
you  can  help  it!  

-20-­‐
  
Touchstones  for  Creating  Hospitable  Space     HANDOUT  
 
(Adapted  from  The  Center  for  Courage  and  Renewal)  
 
Be   100   percent   present,   extending   and   presuming   welcome.   Set   aside   the   usual   distractions   of  
things   undone   from   yesterday,   things   to   do   tomorrow.   Welcome   others   into   this   place   and  
presume  you  are  welcome  as  well.    
 
Listen   deeply.   Listen   intently   to   what   is   said,   listen   to   feelings   beneath   the   words.   As   Quaker  
Douglas   Steere   writes,   “To   listen   another’s   soul   into   life,   into   a   condition   of   disclosure   and  
discovery,  may  be  almost  the  greatest  service  that  any  human  being  ever  performs  for  another.”  
 
It  is  never  “share  or  die.”  You  will  be  invited  to  share  in  pairs,  small  groups  and  in  a  large  circle.  The  
invitation  is  exactly  that.  You  will  determine  the  extent  to  which  you  want  to  participate.  
 
No  fixing.  We  are  not  here  to  set  someone  else  straight  or  to  help  right  another’s  wrong.  We  are  
here  to  witness  to  God’s  movement  in  the  sacred  stories  we  share.  
 
Suspend   judgment.   Set   aside   your   judgments.   By   creating   a   space   between   judgments   and  
reactions,  we  can  listen  to  another  person,  and  to  ourselves,  more  fully.  
 
Identify   assumptions.   By   identifying   our   assumptions,   which   are   usually   transparent,   we   can   set  
them  aside  and  open  the  sharing  and  learning  to  greater  possibilities.  
 
Speak  your  truth.  You  are  invited  to  say  what  is  in  your  heart,  trusting  that  your  voice  will  be  heard  
and  your  contribution  respected.  A  helpful  practice  is  to  use  “I”  statements.  
 
Practice   confidentiality   care.   We   create   a   safe   space   by   respecting   the   nature   and   content   of  
stories  shared.  If  anyone  asks  that  a  story  shared  be  kept  in  confidence,  the  group  will  honor  that  
request.  
 
Turn   to   wonder.   If   you   find   yourself   disagreeing   with   another,   becoming   judgmental,   or   shutting  
down   in   defense,   try   turning   to   wonder:   “I   wonder   what   brought   her   to   this   place?”   “I   wonder  
what  my  reaction  teaches  me?”  “I  wonder  what  he’s  feeling  right  now?”  

-21-­‐
Our  Mission  
 
The  Fund  for  Theological  Education  advocates  excellence  
and  diversity  in  pastoral  ministry  and  theological  
scholarship.  Through  our  initiatives,  we  enable  gifted  
young  people  throughout  the  Christian  community  to  
explore  and  respond  to  God’s  calling  in  their  lives.  
 
We  seek  to  be  a  creative,  informed  catalyst  for  
educational  and  faith  communities  in  developing  their  
own  capacities  to  nurture  men  and  women  for  vocations  
in  ministry  and  teaching.  We  also  aim  to  awaken  the  larger  
community  to  the  contributions  of  pastoral  leaders  and  
educators  who  act  with  faith,  imagination  and  courage  to  
serve  the  common  good.   -22-­‐