Recently I learned of Frederick
Buechner’s definition of vocation: “where your deep gladness meets the world’s
deep need.” But I think on some gut level I’ve always known it, believed it, and
allowed it to guide me.
Recently I learned of Frederick
Buechner’s definition of vocation: “where your deep gladness meets the world’s
deep need.” But I think on some gut level I’ve always known it, believed it, and
allowed it to guide me.
Paid for That?
When I first started thinking about careers, I was in high school. Initially, I had no idea what I wanted to do but I did know that I had to do what made me happy (or ignited my deep gladness), regardless of the salary, power, or prestige (or lack thereof!).
It was my mom who made the observation that I would make a good Director of Christian Education in a local church. I didn’t even know what that was. As it turned out, my new aunt, Elaine, who had just married into the family, was a DCE. Mom explained, her work this way: Elaine is responsible for Sunday school, youth fellowship, choir, hand bells, and drama. My jaw dropped and my eyes widened.
“And she gets paid for that?” I gasped, incredulously. I was currently involved in all of those things in my own church and loved it! In fact, Sunday was my favorite day of the week because I got to spend the entire day at church participating in all those activities. The thought that I could continue that fun as an adult, and get paid for it, brought me a deep sense of gladness! So I decided, right there on the spot, to become a Christian educator.
In college I double-majored in Christian Ministries and Elementary Education and then I went on to earn an M.A. in Religious Education. Upon graduating, I found a job as a DCE in a United Methodist Church in North Carolina where I knew, in my gut, I was supposed to be and I settled in for the long haul. I felt as though I had truly found my place— geographically, vocationally, and spiritually. It was the perfect “Tracy job.”
NOBS
But before I could complete my first year, I received a brochure in the mail advertising a one-night event sponsored by the Network of Biblical Storytellers (NOBS). I thought to myself, “There’s a network of biblical storytellers?”
Intrigued, I signed up and my life was changed forever. I had no idea at the time just how much it would change, though. At that point I still figured that I would retire at 65, having spent my entire adult career as a Director of Christian Education—just one who happened to tell biblical stories as part of her job. But God had other plans.
Almost immediately I started getting invitations to perform or teach others how to tell biblical stories. Initially I tried to beg off, explaining that I was brand new to this, but they always assured me that I was the one they wanted. So I went. And the invitations continued to come in. And before long I had a thriving little side business to complement my “real” job as a DCE.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that storytelling is where my passion (and deep gladness) lay. I never got to the point where I disliked my DCE job but it was clear that it wasn’t feeding me the way that storytelling was. That’s when the confusion (and a little bit of annoyance) set in. “Look, God! I just spent two years getting a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Duke of all places. So if Christian education isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing, what was that all about?”
I had to wait three years for an answer to that question. But I did get an immediate feeling in my gut that said somewhere down the road I would find the perfect “Tracy job” which combined all of my experience, education, and interests... and that in the meantime I should take advantage of every storytelling opportunity that came my way so as to get as much experience under my belt as possible.
So I did. And at the end of those three years I found out that East Tennessee State University offered a Master’s degree in Storytelling. I knew immediately that that was the next step in the journey.
During my time at ETSU, I discerned, again (with the strong aid of my gut feelings), that once I graduated, I was supposed to do fulltime what had brought me such deep gladness as a side job—freelance storytelling. But as I was driving the U-Haul to Baltimore where I was to begin this next leg of the journey, I had another little talk with God: “Look God, to the best of my ability to discern, I really think that this is what you want me to do. And I’m more than happy to give it the old college try. But let’s not either of us be too surprised if, after a year or so, I have to get a real job!
Itinerant Story-teller
That was nine years ago. And in the ensuing years I’ve traveled all over the United States and to several foreign countries where people have not only paid my way, but have paid me an additional honorarium just to tell them stories or teach them how to do it. Amazing!
Now, I’d be lying if I said it’s all been peaches and cream. Living the life of a “starving artist” with an inconsistent income, no pension and no benefits (other than the ones I pay for myself out of my meager earnings) can be nerve-wracking, to say the least! But I can honestly say (because I’m certain that I’m on the right vocational track) that even at my most unsure and vulnerable, I have felt an underlying sense of calm knowing that God is in charge and, that as long as I continue to do my part, God will take care of me. So, despite the financial obstacles and lack of security, it’s been clear that I have found the perfect “Tracy job” or have I?
Doctorate
A few years ago I found out about a Doctor of Ministry program at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC and, originally intending to simply inquire about an adjunct position, it quickly became clear (according to my gut) that I was supposed to get this degree. I graduated last May and a few months later I was named Dean of the newly formed Academy for Biblical Storytelling, sponsored by the Network of Biblical Storytellers (remember them?). This is a one-year certification program focusing on the performance and teaching of biblical stories. The Academy’s first class of 15 students began this past January and I love it! In fact, I’m not sure that there’s anything more “up my alley” than this position where I get to distill down, into a one-year, school-without- walls curriculum, everything I’ve worked on, and been educated in, and experienced my entire life.
My first DCE job was the perfect “Tracy job” at that time in my life. Freelance storytelling was (and still is) the perfect job for me at a different time in my life. Heading up the Academy for Biblical Storytelling is also the perfect job for me at this new time in my life.
But who’s to say what the future will hold? God may have several more adaptations of my vocation planned for me and I’m fine with that. As long as my gut continues to clue me in and my deep gladness continues to meet the world’s deep need, I’m ready for the journey.
Dr. Tracy Radosevic still engages in freelance storytelling. (Visit her Web site at www.tracyrad.com.) While most of her work is with religious organizations she’s also listed on the Maryland State Arts Council roster for Artistsin- Education and will occasionally perform for schools, libraries, and civic groups. In addition to serving as Dean of the NOBS Academy for Biblical Storytelling, Tracy has also been the editor of their bi-monthly newsletter, The Biblical Storyteller, since 2000. For more information on the Network or the Academy, go to www.nobs.org.