Video invites exploring church-work vocations

“Explore” — the second of three online videos with Synod President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison supporting aspects of the church’s What a Way initiative — is now available online.

What a Way aims to bolster recruitment and retention of church workers in the Synod.

In “Explore,” which runs just over 5 minutes long, Harrison speaks personally and directly to young people about their vocation as baptized children of God and invites them to consider serving in a church-work vocation.

“Explore” joins “Encourage,” a shorter video posted in early September that features Harrison urging church workers and others to encourage potential church workers.

In the third video, “Embrace”  — Harrison directs his message to those serving in church-work vocations, encouraging them in their vocations and inviting them to emphasize wellness and continued personal and professional development in those vocations.

Harrison speaks in “Explore” of his love for “being a parish pastor” before joining the Synod staff as executive director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care in 2001.

“What I loved about it so much is that people let you into their lives at their very worst moments. … And they also let you in at their very best moments,” he says in the video.

He also says he “remember[s] with great joy those people who would come into the church as a result of our work evangelizing,” but also notes, “It’s a challenging business, though.”

He reminds young viewers, “You were called at your baptism to be faithful, to be a Christian and to serve God wherever He puts you. You have a sacred vocation as a young person. That means you are to be a Christian where you are. “

“The Lord is setting before you right now the possibility of a vocation specifically in church work,” he states, adding that “there are lots of different options,” including as a pastor, teacher or director of Christian education (DCE) for men; and teacher, deaconess or DCE for women, “and a whole host of other career opportunities” for both men and women.

“And then I would say,” he adds, “if you’re a young person just starting to consider this, pray.” He reminds them that Jesus says, ” ‘Pray the Lord of the harvest send workers.’ “

At the end of the new video, Harrison quotes the Synod’s third president, the Rev. Dr. H.C. Schwan, who said, ” ‘Be careful if you pray, though, because you’ll find that soon, the Lord will send you.’

“And if that’s indeed the way you should go, it’ll be a blessing and the Lord will bless, and you’ll have a great life,” Harrison says. “Challenging — but a great life telling people about Christ and His love. And there’s nothing better than that.”

Posted Oct. 6, 2011