Crossroads: Navigating Your Calling and Career Paperback – February 4, 2008

I did not like this book. I felt it was a bit trite and that I had already read this material in many other places.

In the midst of an unexpected job loss, I read through this book with a colleague who was in a similar situation. And, in general, I found the content to be moderately helpful but not sufficiently thorough. The first half of the book addresses the theological idea of calling and its implications related to vocation/jobs/career. This was the more helpful part of the book, as I think that Creel addressed a number of important, if sometimes lofty and even idealistic, aspects of pursuing a calling from God as we consider what sort of work He intends for us to discover and employ. Though there was nothing earth-shattering or especially profound, he covered some important ground, which fostered some great discussion and reflection. I would happily encourage anyone who is interested in the notion that God might call us to particular work to read these chapters and discuss them further with thoughtful friends.The second half of the book is ultimately a "how to succeed in the workplace" guide. This was the less helpful part of the book, as these chapters mostly felt like vastly underdeveloped descriptions of the vital workplace traits of endurance, character, integrity, frugality, mentoring, discipline, skill, humility, weighing your words, family, and boundaries and balance. I certainly valued the topics, but these sorts of things cannot be adequately unpacked in the course of just a few pages. Frankly, I feel as if I had read all of this content elsewhere, in much more compelling and engaging ways.My final critique of the book is my disappointment with the "Seasoned Advice" that followed each chapter. These words of wisdom from various "experts" felt especially trite at times and often very disconnected from the chapter which preceded it and upon which it was supposed to expound or clarify. It even seemed a few times as if the seasoned advisers were indirectly contradicting what the author had just written. Frankly, I thought that these segments added very little to the book and could have been excluded to allow the author to cover his intended content more comprehensively.To be sure, much of my disappointment with the book may be the simple fact that I am a decade or more older than its primary audience. Twenty-something college graduates may find this book much more helpful than I did, and I certainly think it has much to offer any reader pondering these issues of calling and vocation. But I would have preferred if the author had tried to cover fewer topics and instead pressed into some of the nuance and finer details of the most important ideas which he had to offer. This book certainly isn't a total loss, but I'll keep looking for something to more thoroughly address some of the big picture questions that are relevant to my own situation as I look towards the next chapter of ministry to which God is calling me.

Colin Creel is dean of junior boys at Wesleyan School in Norcross, Georgia. In addition to his role as dean, he also teaches Bible and coaches swimming. Besides this work under review, he has also written Perspectives: A Spiritual Life Guide For Twentysomethings (Orlando, FL: Relevant Books, 2005). You may visit Colin's web site at [...].Each of us wonders at one time or another, what we will be when we grow up. It seems that when we finally grow up, many of us continue to question the choices we have made in relation to our calling and our career. This book will be a worthwhile resource for both the novice and the seasoned professional, who might be wrestling with these sorts of questions.The book is divided into two sections. Part one considers topics related to calling and part two considers topics related to career. At the start of every chapter there is a short story to illustrate the topic at hand. These topics are further expounded upon with "seasoned advice" from respected Christian leaders like Steve Arterburn, Max Lucado, and others. Each chapter closes with "points to ponder", which includes relevant Bible references and discussion questions.This is the sort of book one may consider reading once a year and still come away with fresh insights in relation to their current life circumstances. I found it to be enlightening for my personal study, but am considering using it for a study with a small group. The "points to ponder" at the close of each chapter make it especially applicable for use in small groups. Whether for personal study or for use in a small group, this book is sure to cause you to consider important questions about your career and calling. I am confident you will be inspired to seek God's leading as you strive to move well beyond your current circumstances. I commend Colin Creel for writing this timely work. I pray that it will be used of God to transform our current and future workforce, so they might be moved away from the doldrums of listlessness and confusion towards a Godly calling and career.