What is the Gospel?

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Dean G. Blevins

IMG_20140103_074030_808Day two of discussions around faith, work, and economics with the Oikonomia Network connecting work, mission, and our definition of the Gospel through presentations by Greg Forster and Gary Breshears. Greg Forster started the group echoing last night’s IMG_20140103_080915_113challenge to expand congregants’ horizons of the role of work and economics as part of their missional endeavor.

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Posted in Clergy, Culture, Discipleship, Economics, Leadership, Mission, Practical Theology, Theology, Vocation | Leave a comment

The Ministry of Economics: Rethinking Wealth

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Dean G. Blevins

IMG_20140102_171432_054I arrived in Phoenix today for the annual Kern Oikonomia retreat.  It is hard to take time out of a busy schedule to spend IMG_20140102_173442_850three days in the tepid 70’s in Phoenix (particularly with the arctic air in Kansas City) but I somehow found the time. Rode the light rail down to the hotel in time to catch the opening session with Greg Forster  director of the IMG_20140102_190918_382Oikonomia Network. The network includes approximately twenty seminaries around the country dedicated The Oikonomia Network Websiteto exploring the multiple themes of faith, work, and economics. Greg opened the IMG_20140102_191129_417session by reminding us that our primary focus will be economics (something Kern is dedicated to providing resources around) but also in conversation with pastors who have already begun to implement this vision of engaging economics and faith in the congregational context.

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Posted in Continuing Education, Culture, Discipleship, Economics, Leadership, Practical Theology, Vocation | 1 Comment

Tom Nelson’s Confession and Challenge: Work Matters

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

IMG_0193Sometimes confession is good for the soul. At least that is how Tom Nelson opened his address to NTS students last week. Nelson, (DMin, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) has served as senior pastor of Christ Community Church in Leawood, Kansas, for more than twenty years. He is also author of the popular book, Work Matters:  Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work. He was on campus as part of the Kern Family Foundation, Oikonomia grant. Kern has long supported research and teaching around tIMG_0189he themes of faith, work, and economics. Nelson came to encourage students but also to challenge them through his confession and his Biblical teaching.

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

On the Mind or On the Ground, Food for the Soul

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

IMG_20131122_113656_946IMG_20131123_120840_191So, I am riding to Nashville with Mark Hayse and students from MidAmerica Nazarene University for the National Youth Workers Convention.

Mark introduces me as NTS professor but also presenter and board member with Youthfront.. One of the students leans forward and asks: “so what does Youthfront ‘do’?” I had to pause.

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Posted in Discipleship, MidAmerica Nazarene University, Pedagogy, Practical Theology, Theology, Young Adult, Youth, Youthfront | Leave a comment

Discussing Youth Ministry and Race: A View from the Pew

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

GroupEvery once in a while you realize you are in the middle of something really, really special.  I have over thirty-five years experience listening to presentations in varying contexts, first in broadcast television news and later in academic settings. November 12th was special, as I sat in a pew and was drawn into a panel discussion over the issues of youth ministry and race. The theme ran through two sessions in the morning, the first included an opening presentation by IMG_20131112_104050_129Brandon Winstead, followed by responses from the panelists. IMG_20131112_103809_706The second session was a general discussion of how race factors into contemporary youth ministry. Many of the concepts and ideas were reported through the NTS website so I will not repeat all of those comments. However, the very journey to this moment, the cast of presenters, and the ensuing discussion does deserve special mention. In some sense it was not only “what” was said that morning, but “who” was saying it that made a difference for me.  For this reason I begin with the “who,” the people that gave voice to the need, before adding addition content on the theme of the day.

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Posted in Clergy, Culture, Discipleship, Practical Theology, Race, Religious Education, Theology, Young Adult, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

YOUTH MINISTRY AND RACE: A CONVERSATION

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins
 

 

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November 12, 2013

Nazarene Theological Seminary

8:30am-11:30am

Keynote:

Dr. Brandon Winstead (’05) | Killearn United Methodist Church

Panelists:

Rev. Montague Williams (’09) | Eastern Nazarene College

Dr. Claire Smith | St. Paul School of Theology; YouTheology

Rev. David Gilmore | Centennial United Methodist Church
Kurt Rietema | Youthfront

The public outcry following the verdict of the Zimmerman trial this past summer exposed anew the pain and reality of the highly racialized society we live in.  Our churches and our youth ministries are not exempt from these patterns of racial isolation.  Beginning at 8:30 am on November 12, Dr. Brandon Winstead will address the historical, social and cultural issues that have shaped the realities of youth ministry and race in the US.  In a second session, Dr. Winstead will lead a panel discussion with other scholars and ministry leaders regarding the implications and future this reality holds for ministry among youth.  We will conclude at 11:30am.
Posted in Clergy, Continuing Education, Pedagogy, Practical Theology, Race, Youth | Leave a comment

In the Spirit of Saint Patrick

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

DSC00328Part of our 365m trip included our participation in the North British Isles District minister’s retreat in Newcastle. Driving through the DSC00246hedgerows of this lovely country, we decided to stop by the town of Downpatrick where the Holy Trinity Cathedral on a ridge above the town.  Our entourage included David and Glynda Wesley, Norm Henry, and missionaries Stephen Morley and Ted Voight. Continue reading →

Posted in Clergy, Continuing Education, Discipleship, Higher Education, Leadership, Mission, Pedagogy, Practical Theology, Wesley | Leave a comment