By Ben Fisher ’27

Eric Parrish is the Worship and Music Coordinator for First Lutheran in Worthington, MN and an inspiring leader for deep discussion and vulnerability in the church through the use of the VOCARE tool. In a recent interview, I learned about his experience with the National Vocation Project and how he used the VOCARE tool to harbor intimate discussions in small groups at his church as well as create an immersive outdoors worship experience during Lent. We also discussed the individual aspects of the VOCARE tool and how it helps people get vulnerable and real with each other while also guiding them to their calling. This led to a discussion about how using the VOCARE curriculum helps us to find new ideas and perspectives that we can incorporate into worship, such as art and music. By doing this, we are able to experiment with ways of calling in new participants and exploring how we can conduct worship in a modern context. For example, Eric shared how the use of a narrative lectionary taught people about important biblical stories that were originally left out from the regular cycle of worship lessons. As a result of this, the attendance for their Kids for Christ program tripled, leading to new efforts to gain volunteers to accommodate the newfound audience. He also shared how doing Vacation Bible School with other churches led to more connection, community, and volunteer help, making a more enriched worship experience overall. It’s by asking questions about how we can change and improve by making connections and accommodations for other people that we are able to tap into new audiences and experiences that will further enrich the church and worship. 

We also discussed the individual aspects of the VOCARE tool and how it helps people get vulnerable and real with each other while also guiding them to their calling.

Eric and I also discussed how using the VOCARE tool with others can harbor strong relationships and tear down barriers we might have in this politically polarized world. For a real-world example of this, I shared my experience with using the VOCARE curriculum with my coworkers and how it made us become vulnerable and transparent with each other. By sharing my values, regrets, and calling, I was able to better understand myself and my coworkers, who I now consider personal friends. I also shared with Eric that by using VOCARE with my coworkers, we were able to gain new perspectives about life and religion and how by not doing this process, people will be stuck with only their own thoughts and perspectives that can lead a close-minded and restrictive view of the world. We agreed that these types of discussions are something that everyone should practice and that, by doing so, we will have a more accepting, connected, and perceptive world. 

Using the VOCARE tool with others can harbor strong relationships and tear down barriers we might have in this politically polarized world

Another important topic I discussed with Eric was the idea of inviting others to new experiences and how, before doing so, you need to know yourself and what you’re inviting others to. This takes a huge amount of reflection and vulnerability, which is something the VOCARE tool can help achieve. We specifically talked about the “Regret” portion of the VOCARE tool and how it helps us see the bigger picture of past experiences and recognize what we can do differently to improve future experiences. By asking yourself what your values are and what you’re being open to, you get a better understanding of both yourself and how you can follow your vocation to invite others into finding theirs. Eric did this when he reflected on his values for music and the health of the natural environment to make songs for his ensemble group called the Worthington Chamber Singers. For the previous Christmas concert titled Heaven and Nature Sing, he combined these values to present music that merged Christianity and the environment, inviting people to see the close relationship between these two values and recognize their connectedness. This is an amazing example of seeing how the use of the VOCARE tool can help us better understand ourselves and what we want to invite others to.

You need to know yourself and what you’re inviting others to. This takes a huge amount of reflection and vulnerability, which is something the VOCARE tool can help achieve

I look forward to seeing how Eric will continue using the VOCARE tool to help people grow closer with God, themselves, and each other while following their God-given purpose. I hope to take Eric’s lessons to heart and continue engaging in deep discussions with my peers and harbor new connections with others while following God’s calling for me.