Author Archives: Dean G. Blevins

About Dean G. Blevins

Dr. Dean G. Blevins currently serves as Professor of Practical Theology and Christian Discipleship at Nazarene Theological Seminary as well as Director of Nurturing Care with Children through Worship and Prayer. An ordained elder, Dean has ministered in diverse settings and currently also serves at the USA Regional Education Coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene. A prolific author, Dr. Blevins recently co-wrote the textbook Discovering Discipleship and edits Didache: Faithful Teaching, a journal for Wesleyan Education.

New NTSx Online Course on Contemporary Youth Issues

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Dean G. Blevins

We wanted to post this special announcement! Ministry with Youth is serious, serious business.  NTS knows and appreciates that reality.  So we are offering a unique, online, continuing education opportunity through NTSx for anyone that takes youth, and youth ministry, seriously. … Continue reading →

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Can we Know the World and Still Love the World?

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Dean G. Blevins

Tonight the Oikonomia Retreat came to a close with dinner and a presentation by Greg Forster titled “Can we Know the World and Still Love the World?” As director of the Network, Greg often spends his time “reporting,” facilitating or … Continue reading →

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From Life to the Bible

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Dean G. Blevins

The second presentation to the Oikonomia Network this morning included a panel of experts discussing the role of scripture and its place in the faith and work conversation. Chris Armstrong, Darrell Bock, Gerry Breshears and Tom Nelson gathered to discuss … Continue reading →

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Loving Strangers through Work and Exchange

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Dean G. Blevins

Greg Forster and Charles Self open the session with a snapshot of the progress occurring in the Oikonomia Network. Among a number of efforts to provide growth of the influence within the network Greg notes several indicators of the group’s … Continue reading →

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Best Practices: a popcorn of institutional ideas promoting faith and work

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Dean G. Blevins

While the primary focus of today’s sessions at the Oikonomia Network retreat revolved around the state of theological education, there were moments of interaction about faith and work among the participants. One of the best aspects of the day were … Continue reading →

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Building Capacity to Navigate Change through Shared Governance

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Dean G. Blevins

After a morning of challenges, Robert Cooley reconvened the group to discuss a conceptual framework that would position theological institutions with a leadership strategy to address change. While a comprehensive presentation (with many layers) Cooley’s major role was to help … Continue reading →

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Dropping the Gauntlet, the Changing Face of Theological Education

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Dean G. Blevins

The Oikonomia Network began it’s retreat in earnest through a video presentation by Paul S. Williams, the David J. Brown Family Associate Professor, Marketplace Theology and Leadership at Regent College, that, in essence, dropped the gauntlet on theological education in general. … Continue reading →

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