Faculty Authors
Two members of Wisconsin Lutheran College’s faculty recently had books published. Rev. Dr. Michael Berg, Assistant Professor of Theology, penned Vocation: The Setting for Human Flourishing, while Associate Professor of Education and Dean of Student Success Dr. Rhoda Wolle wrote Creating a Culture Where All Are Included: A Look at Bullying through the Lens of the Law and the Gospel. WLC staff member Jonathan Lorenzen ’11 met with each author to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their new writings.
REV. DR. BERG Vocation: The Setting for Human Flourishing
Rev. Dr. Berg literally “wrote the book” on the topic of Christian vocation. Earlier this spring, Berg published his work titled Vocation: The Setting for Human Flourishing (available from vocationbook. org). In it, he points the reader to the scriptural understanding of vocation, or God’s call to each Christian to be in continuous, outwardfocused service to his or her neighbor. “God puts us on as His mask. He uses us to show His love to our co-workers, friends, family members, and anyone we might come in contact with,” explained Berg.
To the Christian, vocation isn’t simply limited to one’s career; rather, it encompasses every aspect of life: work (or school), family, church, and citizenship. Berg’s book explains that when individuals view themselves and others as “the very hands and feet of God,” they approach serving one another with a renewed sense of calling and purpose. “Suddenly that ‘annoying neighbor’ down the street becomes the object of our delight,” said Berg. “When we recognize that we are God’s conduit of love, we then consider it a profound blessing and privilege to be called to do something larger than ourselves.” Berg wants readers to know that God’s gift of vocation isn’t just for a lucky, “talented,” few – it is
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for everyone. “God says, ‘I call everybody.’ We don’t have to worry about chasing down our calling,” reassured Berg. “Your vocation is in the here-andnow. Whether you are a college student, a brand-new mom, a working adult, or a retiree, God has placed you exactly where He needs you to be to be.” Berg also stressed that uncovering your calling need not be a difficult endeavor, shrouded in mystery: “Simply ask yourself, ‘What am I good at… what gifts do I have?’ And ‘Where has God placed me?’ God has a plan for your neighbor to receive His love through you. God will always get His work done – the saint simply does the work in front of him.” Freedom to love our neighbor is a key concept that Vocation seeks to bring home to the reader. Berg said this begins when Christians take comfort in being fully justified by Christ: “The book starts with justification. Once we know we don’t have to please God through our works to win salvation, we are free to exercise love to others.” Having this freedom to love and serve, Christians can truly flourish with a divinely established purpose and calling. “Although it sounds like an oxymoron, God chooses to need us. This gives us real reason to get out of bed in the morning. We are not a waste of space,” said Berg. “Our work and responsibilities become gifts from God. We lose ourselves in our craft – it’s no longer just about earning a paycheck.” Berg wrote Vocation to be a practical resource, applicable to every age and station in life. When asked why he took on the project, Berg responded: “I felt there was a little ‘crack’ in the publishing world for a book about human flourishing with a divine purpose. I also think the topic of vocation had been largely ignored in Lutheran circles for a long time. I saw this as my opportunity to ‘sneak’ something into the conversation.”
