Being Before Doing: jobs vs vocations
Blog Series Introduction: Called Beyond the Job
What if our deepest calling isn’t defined by a title or job description? What if vocation is something far more human, more relational, and more enduring than the roles we take on or the tasks we complete?
This blog series is a set of personal reflections on what it might mean for me to be a pastor, not just by job, but by vocation. After nearly two decades in ministry—I have beginning to see the difference between doing the work of ministry and being called into a life that embodies Christ for others. That distinction is shaping how I lead and—more importantly—how I live.
These posts come out of a season of wrestling—with grief, with change, with misunderstanding, and with clarity. I’ve evaluated myself for the wrong things, sought praise for the things that drained me, and judged myself when I try to walk in a quieter, more relational sense of calling. I seek to name that tension, not only for myself, but for others who are also living in it.
The truth is, jobs come and go. I’ve had duties and deadlines that have drawn the applause of others. But vocation is something quieter. It is a way of being that is rooted in knowing you are loved by God and sent to embody that love for others. And in a world that measures everything—productivity, platform, performance—that kind of calling can feel invisible. But it is, I believe, where true life is found.
In these posts, I’ll reflect on ministry experiences, stories of relational depth, seasons of burnout, and the pain of misunderstood transitions. I’ll also try to name the grace and clarity that have slowly emerged. My hope is not just to tell my story, but to help you reflect on yours.
Maybe you’re a pastor, a caregiver, a teacher, or a friend. Maybe you find yourself doing the job well but wondering where the joy went. Maybe you feel like the job changed but your calling didn’t. Or maybe you are in a season where you don’t know how to name what you do at all. My prayer is that this series offers language, honesty, and encouragement as we walk this road together.
Finding our vocation leads us to a place deeper than the job. It organizes our chaos, gives meaning to the hard moments, and is a source of grace when we are judging ourselves.
-Zach
