Category Archives: Practical Theology

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 →

Posted in Clergy, Economics, Practical Theology, Theological Education, Vocation, Work | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Economics, Practical Theology, Scholarship, Theological Education, Work | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Economics, Practical Theology, Theological Education, Vocation, Work | Leave a comment

Imagery to Address Change and Rekindle Passion

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Dean G. Blevins

Is theological education merely an attempt to develop a series of “new tricks” or is it more about changing our attitude to foster change in the church? Getting to that answer from the standpoint of faith, work, and economics became … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Discipleship, Economics, Leadership, Practical Theology, Theological Education, Vocation | Leave a comment

Love God, Love Neighbor

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Dean G. Blevins

This evening marked the first presentation of the Oikonomia Network gathering sponsored by the Faith, Work and Economics initiative at the Kern Family Foundation. The Oikonomia Network represents a group of scholars and educators engaged in seminary education around the … Continue reading →

Posted in Clergy, Economics, Leadership, Pedagogy, Practical Theology, Theology, Vocation | 1 Comment

Okonomia Network in Tempe AZ

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Dean G. Blevins

It has been a while since I last posted on Discipleship Commons. To be honest I have been focused on a new blog celebrating discipleship at Kansas City First Church and excited to share the stories in that congregational context. … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Economics, Practical Theology, Vocation | Leave a comment

Leadership  and Learning together in Australia

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Dean G. Blevins

Field Strategy Coordinator John Moore invited both David and I to participate in a day of learning through the region’s Leadership Development Initiative. This event combined both established pastors and rising young leadership such as Brett Crowther, Aaron Park, Emily … Continue reading →

Posted in Clergy, Culture, Discipleship, Higher Education, Leadership, Mission, Practical Theology, Theological Education, Young Adult | Leave a comment