Vocation Sunday, celebrated on April 12th, is a time when the Church encouraged people to reflect on their role as co-workers with God in the world.

One of the basic understandings of the Christian faith is that Jesus calls all his followers to participate in establishing God’s rule of justice, peace, love and joy.

I was recently asked to reflect on the route my life has taken as a follower of Christ at a breakfast meeting with business people in Birmingham entitled ‘From BP to Bishop’.

Perhaps some expected to hear that God called me out of an entirely secular occupation into a ‘Christian’ way of life as a member of the clergy. But what I actually spoke about was my calling in BP and how I lived out my vocation to be part of that business, at that time.

For me there are five marks of someone living out their vocation, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, in whatever context they find themselves. And, as you would expect from someone who preaches for a living, they all begin with the same letter!

The first is Excellence. As people who are participating in God’s continuing work of creation we seek to excel. We do not put in half measures or remain content with mediocrity but reflect God’s generosity, creativity and graciousness.

Next comes Ethics which means implementing our values in everything from our expense accounts to international trade. Values in business are high up on the agenda in many workplaces in this region. Chaplains are often invited to have a key role in this and I have been delighted to chair discussions with senior business people who are taking these issues very seriously indeed.

Ethics in our professional dealings are followed by Engagement which is about the relationships we build at work..
 
Someone who is following the example of Jesus Christ devotes time and energy into building friendships, cares for the whole person when dealing with a  team member or client and is someone who and becomes visible as a trusted and appreciated colleague.. This distinctive, loving presence may lead to curiosity and an invitation for what I call Evangelism – the fourth mark of vocation in my list. People of faith in the workplace have excellent opportunities to explore, with others, questions and challenges about belief and truth.

Following on from evangelism is Encouraging confidence.. This could mean simply ensuring the highest standards in normal business practices, persuading the company to consider a quadruple bottom line which includes a high degree of corporate responsibility and spirituality, starting a book club with some theological content or supporting a colleague who would like to establish a dedicated prayer room
I am convinced that places of work should be places of prayer and people of faith should not be shy of that. Just as we pray at home or in our places of worship we should offer to pray for colleagues in need or establish our own routine of prayer while we are at work.

Finding time to pray is not only the mark of someone who is following their vocation but also ensures we remain open to the deepest promptings and urgings which keep us moving on the journey of faith.

The recent National Trend Survey has shown what we probably always knew on some level. Being wealthier, and even being healthier, than before has not made people in Britain happier than they were in the 1970s.

The reasons why we are not happy are complex but living a life of co-working with God, following Jesus and responding to the urges of the Holy Spirit has for me, and for many that I meet, brought a deep joy and fulfilment, a sense of purpose, sometimes suffering, but in the end, real happiness.