The notion of calling is not clear among the rank and file of Christians, let alone those pursuing entrepreneurship. My research of over 300 Christian entrepreneurs reveals a diversity of understanding, and indeed confusion, by Christian entrepreneurs with respect to the notion of calling. One of the questions posed to Christian entrepreneurs was: “Do you feel that you were “called” to entrepreneurship? If so, what does that mean to you?

 The responses varied and could be grouped into two categories between essentially “yes” and “no” answers. The first group, comprising 50% of the entrepreneurs interviewed, believed that they were called. For example, one entrepreneur answered, “Yes, I feel that I am called to what I do. I do not think that my calling is a mysterious thing that requires a vision, a dream, or an experience to discern. What talents has God given you? Put your hand to this plough. This is your calling.” Another entrepreneur stated unequivocally: “Yes, I definitely feel called by God to what I am doing….I believe that the marketplace is something that God calls men and women to, just like He does to a mission field. The market place becomes a mission field; it becomes an opportunity.” The above comments reflect the perspective of 50% of the Christian entrepreneurs who believed they were clearly—and to some extent, obviously—called.  

 At the same time, however, half of the Christian entrepreneurs interviewed did not integrate the notion of calling as part of their spiritual journey. There were many explanations. One entrepreneur reflected, “I don’t think I was called to entrepreneurship. It was my choice; I always wanted to be my own boss. But I felt I could serve the Lord in what I was doing. The Lord maybe did call me, but I never really looked at it that way.” Another Christian entrepreneur, who had achieved success in property investments and supported his church generously, answered, “No. I cannot claim any form of calling.” Another entrepreneur explained his spiritual journey as “sensing a direction, rather than a calling.” These entrepreneurs would claim God’s ongoing presence in their lives, but they would not relate this to the concept of calling.

 There were a variety of other reasons for interviewees not believing they were called to entrepreneurship. Some concluded that they were not called because they did not hear an audible voice; there is sometimes an assumption that those who are called to ministry have a clear audible call, like Paul on the road to Damascus. One entrepreneur in his 60s, indicating that he did not feel called, suggested that there may be different generational views of calling: “when we were young it wasn’t fashionable to affirm or confirm.” For a number of interviewees, the basic need to have a livelihood, and in these cases as an entrepreneur, determined their career choices. In short, there were a variety of reasons for not integrating the idea of calling into the life of a number of Christian entrepreneurs.

 This question as to calling and entrepreneurship was challenging for many entrepreneurs to address clearly. The question is related to various other theological concepts, such as gifting and finding God’s will. Michael Novak, a Catholic theologian, points out that an individual’s gifts are not usually easy to discover: “Experiments, painful setbacks, false hopes, discernment, prayer, and much patience are often required before the light goes on.” One entrepreneur opined that he “was gifted and led, but it was not a calling.” The very use of the term calling is occasionally perceived as too limiting; some entrepreneurs view their relationship with God in terms of a journey, whereas calling is perceived as an event. Another issue is that the sacred-secular dichotomy still exists in the minds of some entrepreneurs—in other words, full-time church workers are called, but those outside the ministry are not. Some shied away from the term “calling” as it implied that God was then going to make the business financially successful; thus a lack of entrepreneurial success could cause disillusionment. In short, there was not only confusion over the term calling, but a considerable degree of dissatisfaction with the term.

 An explanation as to why there is some confusion over the nature of calling lies in another question asked: “Who, if anyone, affirmed that calling?” The most startling finding was not who was cited—but rather who was not. In approximately 65% of the responses, the issue of whether the individual was called was resolved by the individual entirely on their own. In other words, this critical issue of calling in one’s life was determined by oneself, and therefore by implication without any pastoral input. In 20% of instances some degree of confirmation was received from family, particularly one’s spouse. In only 15% of instances was any affirmation or clarification of calling received from the church. In 10% of cases an affirmation was received from friends.

 In short, many Christian entrepreneurs do not integrate the concept of calling into their lives and fewer still seek input from their Christian community.