Summary/conclusions of the findings

A great majority of the participants (68.5 + 15.8%) know with certainty that they are called and that the calling is from God as was revealed to them through the working of the Holy Spirit (43.4%). For many, this conviction of their calling has been known for a significant period of time – it is not a fleeting experience or a spur of the moment feeling.

Many participants (57%) have suppressed their calling in the past or are continuing to suppress it (11.4%) and therefor not living out their calling.

The main reasons for not living out their calling are firstly subscribed to an experience of a lack of training and skills (58.4%) and secondly, to the consumption of time and energy by the daily challenges of life (36.4%).

Frankl distinguishes between two types of inhibiting factors in life:

  1. Situations where change is possible, and
  2. Less fortunate situations where change is not possible. E.g. the death of a love one.

Fortunately the main reasons identified for not pursuing one’s calling are “situations where change is possible” and more so, situations that are within the control of the individual (e.g. persecution is not within the control of the individual).

ATS’ reaction to the survey’s findings

We will continue to implement strategies to help people start pursuing their calling sooner rather than later:

  1. Continue to emphasise the importance of God’s calling in every Christian’s life.
  2. Help people identify their calling and bring the appropriate training for their specific calling within their reach.
  3. Allow students to start their studies at a slower pace (one or two subjects), with the intent of finishing their full course. Thus, in spite of their daily responsibilities and challenges, they can embark towards fulfilling their calling.

“John was the security access controller at my workplace. He was always busy reading. Every morning, when I pulled up next to his security booth, he would look up at me from behind a book. I later learnt that he was enrolled for his LLB at Unisa and that he studied during the “slow” periods of the day. It was a long and tedious process but, I’m sure, with sweet rewards in the end.”

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Question 1: On a scale from 1(low) to 5 (high), how convinced are you of your calling?

survey1question168,5% is most convinced about their calling (5) and 15,8% very convinced (4). 13,2% is least convinced (1).

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Question 2: At which stage of your life did you first become aware of a calling for your life?

survey1question257% become aware of their calling in adulthood, 34.2% in adolescence, 6,3% in primary school, 1,3% in pre-school and 1,3% late in adulthood.

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Question 3: What do you consider the biggest threat(s) to fulfilling your personal calling?

survey1question3

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Question 4: Did you, for some part of your life, try to suppress the conviction of your calling?

survey1question457% of participant did at one time suppress their calling.
11,4% are still suppressing their calling and
31,6% never suppressed their calling.

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Question 5: If so, and if you have finally acknowledged your calling, what changed your behaviour?

survey1question5

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Question 6: General comments.

The themes identified from of the general comments from participants can be summarised as follows:

  1. I don’t know when and where to start?
  2. There is competition between people with regard to the importance of their own calling.
  3. Since I started to pursue my calling my problems started. I am thinking of giving up.
  4. I first became aware of my calling in primary school but nobody helped me to understand this and to “fan” it on.
  5. My calling gives meaning and motivation to my life.
  6. My senior pastor, church structure and/or church culture supresses the development of my calling.