Called to do more than a good job
We don’t hear the word ‘vocation’ much these days, but for a Christian it is an everyday concern. And that’s not just for those who work for the church in a formal capacity. We are all called to live – and work – for Christ. We asked four people to share their stories about the way in which their faith underpins their daily work.
Farming takes faith
by Katy Kucks
When I attended Lutheran Youth of Queensland camps more than 25 years ago and met farmers for the first time, little did I know I would marry one and leave Brisbane behind for rural central Queensland and the farming life.
It’s been a great adventure and learning journey. Faith has also been central and critical throughout.
These days, the once naïve suburban girl is a wiser farmer’s wife – and company director! And working the land has changed as technology has advanced. Now we have ‘agribusiness’ and it is big business.
Yet the timeless constant is the struggle of coaxing food from the land on the driest, harshest habited continent. This is where our faith is a vibrant, living thing that sees us through.
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Katy Kucks is a member at Theodore Lutheran Church, Queensland.
Glorifying God at home
by Sarah Joy Fandrich
I am a pastor’s wife and stay-at-home, homeschooling mum to seven children. This is my career and calling, and in a way I view myself as a CEO.
As Christian parents, our greatest desire is that our children know Christ as their Saviour. Teaching our children about how God works in their world when things are not easy is the most important part of how I serve God.
Faith in God is what keeps me sane.
As a pastor’s wife I serve our church by supporting my husband in his work. Pastoral ministry is a lot like housework in that there’s always more to be done. It’s a lot like raising kids in that there are often challenging behaviours to work with.
Being a career mum is tiring. I seek a home glorifying God in all we do with fun and service. I love it when that happens.
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Sarah Joy Fandrich is a member of Burrumbuttock Lutheran Parish NSW.
Seeking his purpose
by Bob Thiele
Two years ago I received a letter from my superannuation fund. ‘Dear Mr Thiele, this is to inform you that your pension scheme has matured and you will no longer be required to pay into the scheme’.
Most people work to retire. I had to make a conscious decision to work when I didn’t need to. Why work when you could live a life of leisure?
For me the answer is purpose. I do still feel called to be in the same vocation I believe God called me to at six years of age when I decided to become a teacher.
Now as a principal of more than 20 years, I try to take God into every class, every meeting and every situation.
I trust he is using me to make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families with whom I work, serving his purpose.
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Bob Thiele is a member at Seaford Lutheran Church, South Australia.
Seeing beyond the labels
by Greg Spann
My journey to my current job (as a pharmacist) started at school. I was good at science and, unimaginatively, thought I’d do a science degree.
Fortunately my father and my chemistry teacher suggested pharmacy. My first thought was what most people think of pharmacy – white coats behind a counter. But a lady at church commended the simple role of a pharmacist as an educator. ‘Great’, I thought, ‘I can help people’.
I know that aspiration is very clichéd but, even now, after years of working, I still need to be reminded of it every day. ‘God’, I pray as I drive to work, ‘let me serve my patients today’.
A few years into my career I found that space working in mental health.
Every day I am able to meet people at their worst, discuss with them what’s brought them here and try to assist them to manage their medication
to get them back on track.
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Greg Spann is a member at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Rochedale, Queensland.
