Abstract
This paper draws from research of the Creative Callings project at Boston University, funded by the Lilly Endowment. It first explores the notion of a religious “calling” as relates to vulnerability—identifying religious/spiritual callings to care for and lift up the vulnerable as well as some blindspots of Christian theologies of vocation when it comes to accessing vocations. In other words, while the notion of vocation can be a powerful framework of meaning for those in the most vulnerable social, economic, and spiritual positions, often an overlooked practical theological question is how the most vulnerable actually access the callings to which God may be calling them. Economics, racial oppression, ecclesial restrictions, and ableism, for example, all can impede the vulnerable from claiming and living out their vocations. This paper examines vulnerability and vocation, drawing from concrete examples of religious communities seeking to develop innovative ministries around vocation in the Boston area of the United States.
Presenters
Claire WolfteichProfessor, School of Theology, Boston University, Massachusetts, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Fragile Meanings: Vulnerability in the Study of Religions and Spirituality
KEYWORDS
VOCATION, LAITY, VULNERABILITY, COMMUNITIES, THEOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY, MEANING, PURPOSE, CHRISTIAN, MINISTRY
