by Thomas Scarborough

Dr. George N. Malek must be one of South Africa's most abstruse theologians. He is, in fact, both a doctor of theology and a doctor of psychology. Among his many publications is a fourteen-page booklet titled THE CALLING TO THE PRIESTHOOD, which is the subject of this review.

But first, some definitions. A common view of the calling to the priesthood/ministry is that it is TO SEE WHAT WILL BE, i.e. it is synonymous with VISION. It is "a vision from the Lord" (Halcomb J, Hamilton D and Malmstadt H 2000:65), a "God-given vision" (Gibbs 2005:191), "a kingdom vision" (Hybels B 2002:37). Similarly, the calling may be seen as VISION'S GOALS: one's "ambition" (Engstrom T W 1976:29), one's "purpose" (Boa K 2006:60), or one's "contribution" (Banks R and Ledbetter B M 2004:92). Another common definition of the calling is that it INVOLVES ONE'S HEART AND SOUL. This stands in contrast with a mere "role one plays" (Munroe M 2005:20), a mere "occupation" (Blackaby H and Blackaby R 2001:xi), or "functional competencies" (Barna G 1997:25), which, not seldom, may not seem to sit comfortably with who one really IS.

In contrast with the above, Dr. Malek considers that the calling is TO SEE WHAT IS NOT -- in fact, to see what CANNOT BE through human agency. It is, therefore, a very different kind of "vision". Dr. Malek introduces "the nature of the calling" with the well known passage Isaiah 6:3-8. This includes Isaiah's words: "Woe is me! For I am lost ..." Dr. Malek writes: "The nature of the calling begins not by 'hearing a call from God', but by SEEING, PERCEIVING THE CONDITION OF MAN WITHOUT GOD" (Malek G N 1997:1). He further refers to Ezekiel, who saw a valley of dry bones. God said to Ezekiel: "Son of man, can these bones live?" (Ezekiel 37:3). Through human power, of course, they could not. Through the call, therefore, "impossibilities become possible" (:7). But the starting point is "the point of banishment" (:9) -- again, TO SEE WHAT IS NOT, and CANNOT BE through human agency. And therefore, the calling has to be "involved in the reality of God" (:8). "A call is the total poverty of man in the hands of ALMIGHTY God" (:7).

Given the above, this has various implications for the priesthood/ministry, among them the following:

1. The priest/minister, being "lost", has a great need to depend on God in prayer. "Prayer indicates that there is no alternative ... At the point of powerlessness, prayer is the link with the power of God" (:12). 2. The priest/minister should not tackle the calling in his or her own strength. A calling is not the "ability to manipulate the crowd". Rather it "SUBJUGATES both the empowered and the hearer". Dr. Malek refers to the well known example of Moses, who acted on his own volition (Exodus 2:12). 3. The calling cancels out human despair and despondency, since one already knows that one is lost. It "cuts through despair" (:2). 4. The calling is built first on the encounter with God, not on character. Dr. Malek warns of the call that "turns into ethics" (:11). "THE PRACTICE OF PROPER BEHAVIOUR cannot substitute [for] ONE'S OWN ENCOUNTER WITH THE HOLY" (:2). In fact, "Breaking all of the last nine commandments may not prove fatal yet, because there still is God" (:12). And 5. A calling is caught up in what GOD is doing. One is "caught up in the presence and activity of God" (:4). "The iniative lies with God" (:3). And therefore, God Himself "evokes amazement" (:2).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Banks R and Ledbetter B M 2004. Reviewing Leadership: A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches (Engaging Culture). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic.

Barna G (ed) 1997. Leaders on Leadership: Wisdom, Advice and Encouragement on the Art of Leading God's People. Ventura, California: Regal Books.

Blackaby H and Blackaby R 2001. Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God's Agenda. Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Boa K 2006. The Perfect Leader: Practicing the Leadership Traits of God. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Victor.

Engstrom T W 1976. The Making of a Christian Leader: How to Develop Management and Human Relations Skills. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.

Gibbs E 2005. Leadership Next: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press.

Halcomb J, Hamilton D and Malmstadt H 2000. Courageous Leaders Transforming Their World. Seattle, Washington: YWAM Publishing.

Hybels B 2002. Courageous Leadership. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.

Malek G N 1997. The Calling to the Priesthood. Cape Town: The Ecumenical Pastoral Institute in Cape Town (201 Belgravia Road, Crawford 7764, Cape Town, South Africa).

Munroe M 2005. The Spirit of Leadership. New Kensington, Pennsylvania: Whitaker House.

Thomas Scarborough is a minister in Cape Town. He is currently completing an M.Th. in Christian leadership (systematic theology)

through the S.A. Theological Seminary. View his leadership blog at http://leadershipsouth.blogspot.com