Back Porch Book Chat with William Boekestein

Back Porch Book Chat: a casual conversation about books and writing. Today we’re visiting with William Boekestein. Bill is an author best known around here for his histories of major Reformed confessions (such as the Westminster Confession of Faith), written for middle graders. He’s also a pastor, husband and father, and author most recently of Finding My Vocation: A Guide for Young People Seeking a Calling, published by Reformed Free Publishing Association. In his free time he enjoys hunting, fishing, and biking.

Good morning, Bill! We look forward to chatting with you about this very important subject, but first, let’s get comfortable. Is it still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors where you are? Do you have a back porch or deck where we could sit? And what would be your beverage of choice?
Good morning Janie! We could sit outside today but we should find some shade. It is forecasted to be in the low 90s. I would love to have you join my wife Amy and me on our front patio with a hot vanilla latte, which we enjoy every morning and afternoon. But watch out for our cats Milo and Sebastion; they are always curious about what is in the cups.

Hi, kitties! I’ll pet you but you can’t share my latte. Bill, you’re a father of four. Would you mind sharing their ages and a little about them?

Asher is 19. He is moving back to his college dorm this week after finishing up a productive summer at a new job. Eva is 17 and Mina is 15. They are just starting their second season of volleyball. If you come to our local Chick-fil-A it would be their pleasure to serve you! Hazel is 10. She has enjoyed a few camping excursions this summer with Dad. She just received a handwritten note from Karina Yan Glaser that made her day! I know Redeemed Reader has featured some of her books.

 That’s great! Karina is a good friend to Redeemed Reader. Let’s talk about Finding My Vocation, which I reviewed last week. I thought the book was especially timely for the start of the school year. What inspired you to write this book at this particular time?

When I was approached by the publisher to consider this topic I was instantly excited. When I was a teenager and young adult I had no idea what I would do with my life. I barely knew my options and had given little thought about living a productive life for God’s glory. I know that many teenagers today are more thoughtful than I was, but I was sure that they too could benefit from wisdom on this important topic. And I have often written books that roughly correspond to the reading levels of my own kids. Our three oldest kids are asking the exact questions that this book hopes to answer.

After receiving the invitation to write this book I approached my church elders to see if I could also preach the themes of vocation, work, rest, and stewardship. They were very encouraging! And the feedback from my congregation was quite helpful in fine-tuning this material.

I can relate to your story. After high school graduation I just assumed I’d go to college—that’s what all my friends were doing, so why not? I didn’t have a clue about a vocation for my life, though marriage was in the plan somewhere. I wasn’t unusual, but do you think young people have a tougher time deciding on a vocation now than they did, say, 40 years ago?

I do. There is truly “nothing new under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9). People have always had to ask tough questions about their future. But today, more than ever, young people are inundated with options, in every area of life, which can make choosing more difficult. In earlier generations one’s future occupation was often carved out for them by family and social circumstance. Now career pathways are broader. That can be good. But it is also intimidating.

Technology too, while often helpful, can rapidly change job markets. AI, for example, opens up fields of opportunity but might make certain workers less necessary. Young people today also need to evaluate the suitability of a college education in unprecedented ways. In recent decades college degrees have become more common and, at the same time, less “certain” to lead to a rewarding career.

Finally, work itself is arguably less valued by people today. An increasingly common view is that work is a necessary evil—simply a way to help us survive and afford us the leisure time that we want—rather than a satisfying and productive calling and privileged partnership with God who is always working (John 5:17).

More reasons for reading this book! Who were some of the adults in your life who helped shape your early ideas about vocation?

My parents have been excellent examples. Both worked hard in my younger years while never allowing work to infringe on their other vocations like family and church. In general, I was blessed to grow up in a setting where hard work was valued and rewarded. I think that made a deep impression on me.

In the book, you mentioned starting your work life in construction. What influenced that decision, and what did you find rewarding and/or challenging about the work?  

My work history started similarly to many people throughout history; I worked in a field that was familiar and that offered open doors. I grew up in a farming community where the vocation was highly valued and workers were always needed. So my first job, which I enjoyed from age 12-17, was as a farm hand. I walked or rode my bike to milk cows and harvest crops. That job taught me skills and disciplines that would be valuable later—you have to show up on time, do your very best, care about the work, honor authority, and take responsibility for mistakes.

After graduating from high school I started a job in residential construction. This too was influenced by my upbringing. My father was a carpenter. I had often helped him when he needed a hand. So construction made sense to me. Honestly, I had never thought about other options. And that can be a good career pathway. Find honorable work that you understand and work hard to glorify God in it!

But at that time I had no idea that God had other plans for me.

I agree that any honorable labor well done glorifies God, but could you share in a little more detail how God led you into the ministry?

My call to ministry was a complete surprise. Regrettably, I squandered my high school years through spiritual and academic carelessness. I was certain that I would never sit in a classroom again!

But, as I mentioned, the Lord had other plans. Because of a slew of bad choices, I felt I needed a new start in a different location. My dad’s cousin Ron, to whom I dedicated the book, gave me a job and a place to live on the other side of the country. While living in California the Lord gave me good friends (and a girlfriend who would become my wife!). He also started to give me vocational clarity. I was working in construction but feeling restless. I accepted a surprising invitation to accompany a missionary to India for three months. While there the missionary, David, mentored me and gave me opportunities to disciple others. He encouraged me to develop my gifts by going to college. I was apprehensive, but I was excited to teach the Bible. So I enrolled at Kuyper College, and later received an M.Div at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. I cannot imagine how I would have become a minister if not for the steady encouragement of other believers. I also can’t imagine doing anything else than pastoring, preaching, and writing!

Your section in the Appendix about a pastoral calling is addressed to young men. Do you see a place for young women in full-time ministry (not pastoral)? If so, how would you modify your advice?

While believing that God calls only qualified men into pastoral ministry (1 Tim. 3:1–13), I am so thankful for the women God calls into his service. And in general, I would see the advice in Appendix E as helpful for young women considering whether God might be calling them into a ministry. They should pray for God’s guidance, test their desire for the vocation, evaluate their competency for the work, seek encouragement (or caution) from trusted advisors, and derive confirmation from they appointment they might receive from the position. At the end of Chapter One I highlight the experience of Peggy, whose entire career revolved around Christian service. I hope her story will be helpful for other young women and men.

Earlier in the book I encourage young people to think carefully about how their gender affects their callings. While there was no way to answer every application-type question that could be asked, it is increasingly important to “never forget that your maleness or femaleness is basic to who you are and must affect how you work.”

That point is especially pertinent these days, and I hope many young people take it seriously. Changing topics: as you know, we’re all about books at Redeemed Reader. What type of literature do you and your wife enjoy reading for relaxation? What are some of your favorite family read-alouds?

We love books too! When my kids were little, I read to them a lot, sometimes two or more hours a day (it was a small way I gave my wife well-deserved breaks from her many child-rearing responsibilities). Probably the series that we’ve read aloud the most is “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Our kids still read a lot, I think because they grew up with books. Many of us try to squeeze in reading wherever we can. I listen to audiobooks while driving and hunting (with one ear-bud out to listen for activity in the woods!). Amy listens to audio books while she works around the house.

What are you reading now, or recently, that you could recommend?

Hazel and I are working through the second book in Dale Peck’s “Drift House” series, called The Lost Cities (Peck read all the Narnia books dozens of times.). We do less read alouds today than we used to. But we often ask each other now to “Tell me about what you are reading.”

Writing is only one of your occupations! How do you find time to write in your busy life as husband, father, and pastor? What’s your writing process or habit?

I don’t have a perfect answer to this question! But as I mention in the book, I have tried to develop the discipline of saying no opportunities that fall further from the center of the things I believe I am called to. I also try to “kill two birds with one stone” as often as possible. If my elders had not encouraged me to first preach on the topic of vocation, I would have declined the invitation to write this book. But the research and writing for the sermon series was a huge help. And in the church tradition in which I minister the elders are like co-pastors with me. So I get a lot of help! And many of my ministry responsibilities are shared with my family. My wife and kids have been on many “hospital visit” dates. Although I try to lure them with a trip to the ice-cream store afterwards.

In general, my most important “hack” for larger writing or speaking projects is to start early. If I am asked to speak at a youth retreat, for example, I will try to get some ideas down six months in advance. That way, as I read, converse, or reflect, I have time to incorporate the ideas into the project. This gets harder to do with procrastination.

That’s good advice for me, as I tend to put projects off until the pressure is a prime motivator. Not sure if that’s conducive to my best work. Thanks for taking time out of a busy to talk with us, Bill, and best wishes on Finding My Vocation—may it help many young people find theirs!