All Are Called

by Robin Linkhart

I want to be part of what you are doing here, but all I have to offer are these,” the woman says softly as she holds out two empty hands.

“A wish to serve is all it takes. Follow me,” the other replies. And off they go to introduce the newcomer and find out what comes next.

I’ve heard words like these many times during my association with the Interfaith Quilters of Longmont, an organization that opposes poverty and domestic violence.

People of many faiths sit side by side. They transform scraps of donated materials into beautiful quilts, displayed and sold in hopes of creating a better world.

Young and old, frail and strong, male and female, quilter or not, these sojourners spend hundreds of hours with people they otherwise might never know. They do it to make a difference in their community. No skill goes unused. No gift is too small. The table has a seat for anyone who wishes to share.

…therefore, if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work… —Doctrine and Covenants 4:1, Joseph Smith Jr., 1829

All are called according to the gifts of God unto them; and to the intent that all may labor together, let him that laboreth in the ministry and him that toileth in the affairs of men of business and of work labor together with God for the accomplishment of the work intrusted to all.—Doctrine and Covenants 119:8b, Joseph Smith III, 1887

I say to you now, as I have said in the past, that all are called according to the gifts which have been given them. This applies to priesthood as well as to any other aspects of the work.—Doctrine and Covenants 156:9b, Wallace B. Smith, 1984

Be reminded once again that the gifts of all are necessary in order that divine purposes may be accomplished.—Doctrine and Covenants 161:4b, W. Grant McMurray, 2000

Woven inextricably throughout the fibers of what it means to be a disciple in Community of Christ are threads of identity, mission, message, and beliefs.

All are called. It’s in our blood, the DNA of our movement, the essence of whom we are. Yet the words go beyond a statement of belief. They sing to the vision of whom we are called to become. These words invite us into the struggle of understanding—bit by bit, step by faithful step—the radically inclusive nature of God.

As we live the practice of “all are called” our lives become a virtual lens of incarnate witness, inviting the world to see the nature of God revealed through Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul brings light to this core value of faithful discipleship in Romans 12:3–8 and I Corinthians 12:1–11 (NRSV). In the Corinthians passage Paul speaks to the nature of giftedness. He underscores diversity as he uses key phrases: “varieties of gifts…varieties of services…varieties of activities” (verses 4–6). Once he shows many forms of diversity he addresses the heart of Christian life: community.

Community magnifies giftedness. It enriches the faithful response of the whole, recognizing and releasing the giftedness of all in joyful expression.

In the Romans text, Paul expounds on the nature of life together, life in blessed community. Not as people expressing giftedness in solo endeavors, but rather within self-awareness and knowledge. Not in the capacity of self-importance, but as a treasure hunt to discover and mine God-given gifts in thanksgiving and full recognition of connectedness one with other.

Paul effectively uses the metaphor of the body. He brings the gospel to life. He helps us understand the diversity of gift and function brought together into one body. That diversity draws life-giving breath in unity of purpose while upholding plurality. In other writings Paul refers to diversity in joining two peoples—Jew and Gentile—into one family of God.

When we invite, encourage, and welcome the faithful expression of giftedness in life together, we experience life abundantly as the body of Christ. We glimpse God’s dream as we orient ourselves and our relationships toward God’s kingdom. God’s dream, Archbishop Desmond Tutu explains, is a place where laughter, love, and peace reign. It is where we realize that we are all members of one family: God’s family.

To live out “all are called” is to allow hierarchy to be shaped and formed in the image of God until transformed, a change symbolized by sharing the Eucharist at a table that is round.

All are called. It sounds simple. But we know all too well how it stretches and tugs us to grow and change.

Therefore, do not wonder that some women of the church are being called to priesthood responsibilities. This is in harmony with my will…—Doctrine and Covenants 156:9c

In 1984, when Community of Christ joined with other Christian churches in ordaining women, we literally broke apart. We quickly learned the difference between Enduring Principles in written words and Enduring Principles faithfully lived out.

Though giving birth to new life came with anguish, the release of once-dormant reservoirs of giftedness gave way to tears of joy. Still we continue to learn what it means to sit in the round as the body of Christ. To minister with instead of minister to. To feel the giftedness of all flowing freely when we respond as one to God’s call.

Last summer I traveled to Lamoni, Iowa, for the annual Singles Reunion. Not sure what to expect, I was among the first people to arrive. I walked up the hill from the parking lot to Walker Hall. Sweat rolled down my face, and I said prayers of thanksgiving that this dorm was air-conditioned. Once checked in, I started back to the car to haul my belongings up the hill.

Before I could say hello, someone gently pushed me into the passenger seat of a golf cart and stomped on the pedal. The driver began chatting happily as we zoomed down the hill, pausing briefly to holler at “Bill” to help.

Bill galloped across the grass with a wagon as my driver stomped on the pedal again. We quickly loaded all my stuff. Then away we went, back up the hill with Bill on the backseat, holding the wagon handle with one hand and the golf cart with the other.

Next on the agenda was decorating mail bags that hung on the lobby coat-rack in neat little rows. As I cut, glued, and colored I met my new friends.

Each single carried a story: never married, divorced, spouse died. Some were old, some young, some between. We came in all sizes and shapes, bringing different interests and skills. Those with broken health and broken hearts bravely wrote new pages in the book of life, all on an adventure with old friends and new.

Stories came with hope.

Hope in the realization that laughter, love, and peace prevailed in this time, and we could be real. Nothing else mattered: health, wealth, beauty, status, past screw-ups, where you came from, or where you were headed. During our week together we could be our true selves.

The week wasn’t perfect. A few solos were off-key, some of us stunk at golf, and we forgot lyrics to some campfire songs. More than one of us looked scary when we danced with glee. A few flower petals on the newly created Ikebana arrangements fell off.

No facades, pretenses, or superficial fronts. Just transparent people authentically present, forgiving, including, sharing, honoring others. All received and treasured the giftedness of each one.

It was the closest to kingdom living I ever experienced.

The reign of God crashed into the present, and I wrestled to understand all that brought us into holy living. Several months later, something became clear. God lives vibrantly in the margins of society—margins that humans create to stratify, classify, rank, and appoint worth.

In many ways our culture assigns singles to life’s social margins with countless other castaways who don’t fit the mold of model mortal.

Jesus lived in the margins.

This is the place God calls us to live out the Enduring Principles. Places where life often is messy. Places that pull us into new and liberating truths. Places where we have much to learn, and God has much to say if we have the courage to listen.

Stephanie Roberts Meckfessel of the Florida USA Mission Center gives voice. “I’m listening. All are called. I hear this phrase and wonder how it applies to me. Who is Jesus to me? Right now, I can’t answer that question confidently. But I am listening. I am urged to pay attention to that still, small voice within. To look…to notice…to consider… God is telling me something.”

Are we listening?

In his 2005 World Conference sermon, President Stephen M. Veazey called the church to “share the peace of Jesus Christ.” His closing sentences sounded this challenge:

And, we are called! We are called to deepen our discipleship through spiritual formation that centers in the Spirit of the Living Christ, who continues to redeem and restore people to life in community. We are called to share the peace of Jesus Christ, the fullness of the gospel, with all who will hear and respond. We are called to bear witness, through word and deed, of the cause of Zion, the peaceable kingdom, the vision of hope for this desperate world. We are called to reveal Jesus Christ in the world through finely honed ministries of peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit, making the ministries of the Temple manifest through our lives.

We are called to shape a diverse family of peace in Jesus Christ from the cultures and nations of the world, for the blessing and salvation of humanity. We are called to give of ourselves and our resources generously so our witness of Christ and Zion can increase, not decrease, throughout the world. We are called!

I am ready to respond to the call to share the peace of Jesus Christ.

Are you?

For Further Reflection and Discussion

1. The words “all are called” invite us into the struggle of understanding—bit by bit, step by faithful step—the radically inclusive nature of God. How would you define “radically inclusive?”
2. All people are blessed with gifts from God. Name several of your gifts. Do you notice the giftedness of others?
3. Our culture is made of various social categories. List the social, ethnic, and age groups represented in your family, congregation, and community. Notice which groups are absent.
4. Would you be willing to live as Jesus did, in the margins where life gets messy?
5. Identify areas of risk for yourself. List the benefits. Notice how the two balance out. Is this new information for you?
6. As you read the phrase, “all are called,” what questions does it raise for you? How are you and your congregation responding to the call to share the peace of Jesus Christ?