Hardwired For Purpose: A Journey In Reclaiming Call Language As Narrative At University Of Lynchburg

Abstract

ABSTRACT

KATRINA STIPE BROOKS HARDWIRED FOR PURPOSE: A JOURNEY IN RECLAIMING CALL LANGUAGE AS NARRATIVE AT UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG Under the direction of Dr. Robert N. Nash, Jr., Ph.D.

Despite the interpretations of Christian tradition and history, restricting call language exclusively to the ordained lacks biblical support. Reclamation of call and call language requires a new framework to restore it to its original and biblical meaning in the life of the church. This qualitative, ethnographical study investigates a sample population’s journey to reclaim call language and restore it to its original and biblical meaning in the life of the church. The study aims to observe the ability of a sample population, comprised of seven evangelical students, to imagine a new framework for call language as inclusive language for all Christians and assimilate the call language into their personal narrative. Over the course of five sessions, the sample population engaged the biblical text, Call Waiting: God’s Invitation to Youth, and group session materials. Responses to the reflection questions and session materials were recorded in the student journal entries. In addition to the journal entries, the session engagement tools, the project evaluation rubric, and call stories written by the sample population served as data collection tools items. Analysis of the collected research data indicates the sample population engaged the sessions at a high level and assimilated the call language into their personal narrative as evidenced in their journal entries and call stories. Recommendations for further study include: changing the sample population profile and analyze the data’s connection to the project goals, substitute a different text and/or reflection questions, increase the number of sessions, change the context to the church, and explore call and call language in the life of the ordained. Another recommendation for further study would be finding a church that implemented call language as inclusive language for all Christians and explore the catalyst for change, methodology implemented, or impact on the membership.