Discipleship Commons

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 the task of Reverend Kevin Mannoia, who served as keynote speaker this evening for the Oikonomia Network retreat.

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 United States, all working on projects to prepare seminarians to take seriously the place of work and economics as part of their ministry. Greg Forster, the Program Director of the Faith, Work and Economics initiative at the Kern Family Foundation, shepherds this network. Forster opened the gathering this evening reminding scholars that in our world where there’s never any shortage of greed, materialism, sloth, pride, envy.

Yet seminaries remain called to educate pastors:

just to teach God’s people that God is with them in their work
to make disciples who do fruitful work that blesses our communities;
to make disciples who can point our communities to hope and economic wisdom in the midst of so much despair and unwisdom;
above all, to love our communities.

As redeemed people in Christ, we live for the love of God and neighbor, not for ourselves.

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. You can read about it on KCFCDiscipleship. Yet travel tends to shake me out of my “doldrums” particularly when you leave -12 degree weather in Kansas City for 68 degrees in Tempe Arizona (yes, an 80 degree swing after a three hour flight).

The reason for coming to Arizona, like this time last year, is to engage in a serious yet exciting conversation on faith, work and economics courtesy the Kern Foundation’s Oikonomia Network. The Faith, Work and Economics initiative at the Kern Family Foundation has funded several projects readers have encountered on this blog. Vocational Discipleship, a course I just finished teaching this past fall, the Preaching Faith @ Work class with Dan Boone and Merritt Nielson, a course of vocation and discernment taught by Doug Hardy, and a number of excellent presentations and consultations at NTS courtesy the Foundation. So, beyond the weather, there was ample reason to be in Tempe.

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 Po Ching, Chang Po Ching, Charity Kelegai, Watson Po Ching, Cameron Batkin. Many of these young adults pair with established leaders in mentor/protégé’ relationships. John started this initiative as a way of cultivating and empowering young leaders in the region through relationships.

Continue reading →

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

Orientation

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Dean G. Blevins

Today David and I had the privilege of providing an orientation to the 365M program for people who will be serving as local mentors to the students while in Brisbane area, as well as people who may well be involved in future efforts from the South District that includes Melbourne.

Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Leadership, Mission, Practical Theology, Theological Education, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Lay of the Land

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Dean G. Blevins

We began our day early on the NTC-Brisbane campus. It was a beautiful but crisp morning (Australia’s weather resembles very early spring… which meant extra blankets last night in the dormitory since few homes in Australia possess central heat.) Today was dedicated to a number of preliminary meetings to help us get the ”lay of the land” for the students who will be coming to Brisbane for 365M.

Continue reading →

Posted in Clergy, Culture, Discipleship, Mission, Theological Education | Leave a comment

365M “Down Under”

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Dean G. Blevins

David Wesley and I began a journey to beautiful Australia, with a “short,” 16 hour, flight from Dallas to Brisbane. The purpose of our trip was to provide an orientation to the 365M program for local leaders and ministers who will mentor and guide the academic process of the certificate program. 365M serves students interested in learning about culture while engaged in ministry, often in global contexts like Australia. Previous 365M students engaged in contextual learning in places like Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Brazil, and other creative access countries. Our goals include meeting prospective mentors for the program and visit some of the congregations and local contexts that will shape student learning.