What Is God Calling You to Do? Faith, Work & Following Jesus Today | Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast S4E5
Oct 18, 2026

Summary
Jesus didn’t say, “Meet me at the temple.” He said, “Follow me.” And he meant right then and there. So, what does it mean to follow Jesus today? How might God be calling you to respond—and why are we still standing still?
Detail
Jesus didn’t say, “Meet me at the temple.” He said, “Follow me.” And he meant right then and there. So, what does it mean to follow Jesus today? How might God be calling you to respond—and why are we still standing still?
In this episode of Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast, Rev. Trudy is joined by Garrett Doss-Ganucheau, Director of Stewardship & Development at First United Methodist Church of San Diego, to explore Mark 1:16–20 and the call of Jesus’ first disciples.
From recognizing God’s persistent nudges to discovering how our everyday work can serve a greater purpose, this conversation explores why following Jesus is about more than Sunday worship or financial giving. It’s about how we use our gifts, show up in the world, and respond when the Spirit calls us somewhere new.
In this episode, we explore:
- Recognizing God’s call: What happens when a nudge from the Spirit just won’t go away?
- Faith and work: How can we use our professional skills and everyday gifts to serve God?
- Beyond sacred and secular: What if there’s no such thing as a “secular” job?
- Following Jesus into uncomfortable places: How might faith lead us beyond our comfort zones?
- Faith as a shared journey: What does it look like when pastors walk alongside people rather than stand above them?
- A church that keeps moving: Why must we keep listening and adapting to meet the needs of today?
This is the first episode in our “What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus Today?” series. Next, we’ll turn our attention to the church’s mission and ask: What is the church here to do today?
Reflection Questions
- Where might the Divine be calling you to go or do in life?
- How important is it to follow that invitation?
Continue the Conversation
Whether you're exploring progressive Christianity, deconstructing your faith, studying the Bible, pursuing justice, wrestling with theology, or simply asking honest questions about Scripture, we invite you to join the conversation:
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- Join our Patreon community
Timestamps
00:00 Why Is Jesus Calling Us to Follow?
01:11 The Call of the First Disciples | Mark 1:16–20
02:57 Why Did the Disciples Follow Immediately?
04:27 Recognizing God's Nudges in Your Life
06:58 What Does Stewardship Really Mean?
08:26 Bringing Your Career and Gifts to the Church
10:19 Is There Really Such a Thing as a Secular Job?
12:13 What's Different About Working for a Church?
15:28 Following Jesus Into Uncomfortable Places
17:54 Pastors as Fellow Travelers, Not Just Leaders
19:20 Why the Church Can't Stay in One Place
21:33 Jesus Still Calls: What’s Your Response?
22:29 Reflection Questions: Where Is God Calling You?

