The Conversation

It was a cold December evening in 1785. A man walked purposefully down a cobblestone street in East London, his breath clouding in the still air. In his mid-twenties, he could have been mistaken for older, and probably would have been recognised had anyone looked closely enough. A prominent Member of Parliament, he had quietly slipped away from the public eye to this unlikely part of town, intent on finding an answer to a nagging question.

Stopping before a door, he hesitated—and knocked. The door opened to reveal a white-haired man in his later years, who welcomed him, taking his coat. That night, a conversation between two men would change the history of their nation. The home was that of John Newton, the preacher who had been a slave trader. His visitor was William Wilberforce.

Wilberforce had already written to Prime Minister William Pitt to explain that if he was going to live for God he must withdraw from the world of politics—a view held by most Christians of his time. Pitt had been unable to change Wilberforce’s mind. It was only after his conversation with Newton that the matter was resolved—he would remain in office. Two years later, Newton wrote to Wilberforce with words which must echo what was said on that day: ‘It is hoped and believed that the Lord has raised you up for the good of his Church and the good of the nation.’ During the next years, Wilberforce would lead the campaign that dismantled the institution of slavery in Britain.

Even today, many Christians see vocation in the ‘secular world’ as nothing more than a necessary evil. However, we as Christians are called to holistic faith—dismantling the false divide between our public and private lives. Followers of Christ within all vocations should be innovative and reflective practitioners, vibrantly living out the gospel’s encounter with their surroundings.

What does the church say to someone in the world of commerce and industry, whose Christian vocation seems challenged by service to false gods? Typically, the church’s response is a suggestion that one’s job can provide a place to practice kindness and a platform for evangelistic witness. This message implies that, while the so-called secular career may have some value as a service to others, it possesses no inherent value in and of itself.

While one’s vocation unquestionably does provide a forum for sharing faith, it is vital for Christians to move beyond this narrow view of what it means to be a faithful witness in the marketplace. A corporate executive managing her department in a way consistent with a biblical understanding of the value of people and relationships—this has spiritual value in its own right, regardless of anything else that may be accomplished from that platform. A lawyer practicing his craft in a way that respects human dignity, upholds justice, and extends compassion powerfully recognises God’s order for this world. A painter reflecting the beauty of creation through his work is engaging in an act of worship. An educator vigorously plumbing the depths of her field with an appreciation of God’s order within the universe gives praise to the Creator of all.

How are Christians being challenged today to think innovatively about the relevance of their faith to their vocation and to their broader cultural contexts? Where are the Wilberforces of today finding their Newtons? At Schloss Mittersill, we dream of being a place where conversations like theirs can happen—where people engaged in a true vocational calling can learn that they need not enter ‘full time Christian service’ for their work to have eternal significance. As people pass through our community for shorter and longer periods of time, young practitioners are being connected with vocational mentors within their fields; Christians in all vocational callings are learning they are not alone.

In order for conversations like this to happen, our community is engaging in an ongoing, broader conversation. This takes place on many levels. It happens as scholars and students pursue research projects on specific questions of faith and culture, and these projects then inform each other, making them stronger through exposure to other disciplines. It happens as people within a vocational field attend a symposium on the issues faced within their profession. It happens in our publications and on our website. It happens as we watch and discuss the films which are quickly becoming today’s literature. It happens around meal tables and fireplaces.

Truly world-altering ideas are not developed in isolation; they take shape as they are exchanged and built upon. We invite you to bring your ideas, and to join the conversation. Attend a conference, a course, or come for a short stay. Participate in the conversation on our website. Contribute to and benefit from the things we are learning together as we boldly offer the men and women of our cultures a way of engagement based unashamedly on the revelation of God made in Jesus Christ. And maybe… just maybe… we can be part of raising up the William Wilberforces of the next generation.

- Jonathan Wiles

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