Category Archives: Vocation

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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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 →

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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 →

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The Spirit of Stewardship and the Entrepreneurial Economy

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Dean G. Blevins

Every once in a while you realize that blogging is an imperfect process for academics. Tonight was a great example. Normally, at the end of a conference, the brain is saturated by information overload and you are ready to “coast” … Continue reading →

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Pastoral Pathways

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Dean G. Blevins

Day two of the Oikonomia Network retreat. Today’s focus revolves around the pastoral pathways that seek to express the emphasis on faith, work, economics. Kern acknowledges that the dissemination of this vision requires a collaboration between seminaries and local congregational … Continue reading →

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

Gospel Entrepreneurship

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Dean G. Blevins

This evening’s series of presentations revolved around the theme of entrepreneurship. Greg Forster opened the presentation using Gallup Chairman and CEO Jim Clifton’s argument that the greatest challenge facing the country is job creation.

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