Scott Bader-SayeFrederick Christian BauerschmidtMichael Baxter Daniel M. Bell Jr.Jana Marguerite BennettMichael G. CartwrightWilliam T. CavanaughPeter DulaChris K. HuebnerKelly S. JohnsonD. Stephen LongM. Therese LysaughtDavid Matzko McCarthyJoel James ShumanJ. Alexander SiderJonathan TranPaul J. WadellTheodore Walker Jr.

"e;An extended theological essay on the meaning, value, and function of memory as it operates in community . . . For Pinches, memory is rooted in the physical world, bound by time and space and dependent on the human body. Appropriately, he develops his points less through argument than through story--Odysseus, King David, Oscar Romero, and his father-in-law, the flying ace. This reality base, along with his generally accessible style and occasional flashes of inspiration, will attract thoughtful readers beyond academia."e;--Publishers Weekly"e;In this deceptively profound book, Charles Pinches, by directing our attention to the role of memory, helps us understand the interdependence of family, nation, and church. By doing so he offers a constructive way to acknowledge the significance of family and nation in our lives as Christians."e;--Stanley Hauerwas, Duke Divinity School"e;In this highly provocative and skillfully crafted work, Charlie Pinches speaks to one of the most pressing problems of our postmodern world--the loss of memory. The solution offered in 'A Gathering of Memories' will leave you with a fresh appreciation of how the Christian faith speaks cogently to the recovery of memory for the healing of the family, nation, and church, as well as the recovery of our baptismal life."e;--Robert Webber, author of Ancient-Future Faith"e;This is a beautiful and powerful book--and one urgently needed in our forgetful times. With compelling stories and richly stimulating reflections on family, nation, and church as communities of embodied memories, Charles Pinches teaches us the wisdom, authority, and mystery of the act of remembering. Along the way, he offers persuasive insights into the relationship of the potency of sacrifice to memory, the 'commandment' of ritual memory, and the church as the trainer of memories. This volume is a superb gift to all."e;--Marva Dawn, author of Talking the Walk

In the thick of modern life, we are tempted to forget what we are doing and why we are doing it. We are busy socializing, building careers, and looking for fun--but what's it all for? The ancient concept of "e;vocation"e; has recently gained popularity as we return to questions about the meaning of life. Almost all religions include the idea that divine purposes should guide our lives; Christianity has particularly accented it. The God who called Israel and sent Jesus has something in mind for us. God's call challenges us, but also opens us to the best sort of life imaginable. In Living Vocationally, the challenge and the joy of the called life is thoroughly explored. Part one considers the benefits of living vocationally, biblical traditions of call, and subsequent Christian understandings. Part two examines why vocation pertains not only to careers, but indeed touches every dimension of our lives and encompasses our full journey through life. Because every person's life includes many callings, some very difficult, part three considers the virtues we need to live the called life well. Living Vocationally demonstrates why to have found a calling is to have found a good way to live.

Scott Bader-SayeFrederick Christian BauerschmidtMichael Baxter Daniel M. Bell Jr.Jana Marguerite BennettMichael G. CartwrightWilliam T. CavanaughPeter DulaChris K. HuebnerKelly S. JohnsonD. Stephen LongM. Therese LysaughtDavid Matzko McCarthyJoel James ShumanJ. Alexander SiderJonathan TranPaul J. WadellTheodore Walker Jr.

"e;An extended theological essay on the meaning, value, and function of memory as it operates in community . . . For Pinches, memory is rooted in the physical world, bound by time and space and dependent on the human body. Appropriately, he develops his points less through argument than through story--Odysseus, King David, Oscar Romero, and his father-in-law, the flying ace. This reality base, along with his generally accessible style and occasional flashes of inspiration, will attract thoughtful readers beyond academia."e;--Publishers Weekly"e;In this deceptively profound book, Charles Pinches, by directing our attention to the role of memory, helps us understand the interdependence of family, nation, and church. By doing so he offers a constructive way to acknowledge the significance of family and nation in our lives as Christians."e;--Stanley Hauerwas, Duke Divinity School"e;In this highly provocative and skillfully crafted work, Charlie Pinches speaks to one of the most pressing problems of our postmodern world--the loss of memory. The solution offered in 'A Gathering of Memories' will leave you with a fresh appreciation of how the Christian faith speaks cogently to the recovery of memory for the healing of the family, nation, and church, as well as the recovery of our baptismal life."e;--Robert Webber, author of Ancient-Future Faith"e;This is a beautiful and powerful book--and one urgently needed in our forgetful times. With compelling stories and richly stimulating reflections on family, nation, and church as communities of embodied memories, Charles Pinches teaches us the wisdom, authority, and mystery of the act of remembering. Along the way, he offers persuasive insights into the relationship of the potency of sacrifice to memory, the 'commandment' of ritual memory, and the church as the trainer of memories. This volume is a superb gift to all."e;--Marva Dawn, author of Talking the Walk

In the thick of modern life, we are tempted to forget what we are doing and why we are doing it. We are busy socializing, building careers, and looking for fun--but what's it all for? The ancient concept of "e;vocation"e; has recently gained popularity as we return to questions about the meaning of life. Almost all religions include the idea that divine purposes should guide our lives; Christianity has particularly accented it. The God who called Israel and sent Jesus has something in mind for us. God's call challenges us, but also opens us to the best sort of life imaginable. In Living Vocationally, the challenge and the joy of the called life is thoroughly explored. Part one considers the benefits of living vocationally, biblical traditions of call, and subsequent Christian understandings. Part two examines why vocation pertains not only to careers, but indeed touches every dimension of our lives and encompasses our full journey through life. Because every person's life includes many callings, some very difficult, part three considers the virtues we need to live the called life well. Living Vocationally demonstrates why to have found a calling is to have found a good way to live.