Entrepreneurial Principles

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

I attended MidAmerican Nazarene University’s Tuesday’s program for alumni and local business leaders. I was interested in the program, organized by Graydon Dawson and the MNU Fastrac for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Unfortunately the program ran long (odd for business people but not for university promotions… I know the culture too well : 0-) so I had to leave early. However, there were some interesting insights from the first two presenters that may translate into principles within ministry or other forms of Christian vocation. Some key principles I heard:

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Just in Time

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

2013-02-17_11-00-37_685Worshiped at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene this morning. Incredible worship and sermon by Rick Harvey on the parable of the talents (Matt 25) and our preoccupation with “stuff,” and an investment of resources for the kingdom. Rick apologized to the congregation since he feels like he is “yelling” at times, but not to me. What I “heard”  is as passion and an enthusiasm for what God is doing and and can do through this community’s stewardship. Rick provided a great connection between everyday financial wisdom and whole life stewardship. Great job Rick.

2013-02-17_11-04-33_136Yet what caught my attention was the gathering for worship. We arrived early to second service, preferred by college students. While sitting in the sanctuary 10 minutes before worship the church sanctuary seemed almost empty. Five minutes later people were just arriving and talking in the sanctuary but still a modest crowd considering the size of the sanctuary. Meanwhile while I was musing on Facebook with my cell phone (yes, boys with their toys) about our proclivity to sit in the same place in a sanctuary regardless of church. (Yes, on Facebook)

2013-02-17_11-18-50_984and then suddenly I noticed
there was a countdown on the worship screen.

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John Wesley’s Prayer for Tuesday Morning

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

Wesley’s written prayer for families for Tuesday Morning. John wrote morning and evening prayers for families, I am offering paraphrases to my Family Ministry class.

Good morning our great and mighty King, the owner of heaven and earth. All the angels bless and praise you, the Father of all spirits. You have created all things and wisely made everything while spreading love over all of your creation. We yearn to thankfully acknowledge your gifts to us… alongside all your creatures… and particularly recognize your grace and approval, demonstrated to us in Jesus Christ, our merciful redeemer. Give us a deep sense of the same love which moved Jesus to die for us so He might become the Author of eternal life for everyone who obeys Him.

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John Wesley’s Monday Evening Prayer For Families

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

This past week I began my Family ministry class. One of my personal projects for this semester is to write a paraphrase of John Wesley’s written prayers for families. John actually wrote fourteen prayers for each morning and each evening for families to pray together. I use to read them walking to and from doctoral study classes. Finally I decided to try a paraphrase to update the 18th century English in them. I started with Monday evening since that is when the class met. Each week I will follow with a fresh paraphrase. It should be interesting.

Monday Evening

Father of all strength and mercy, in you we live, we move, we owe our very existence. It is because of your tender compassion that you kept us safe this day, gave us comfort and hope for the future you provide. We give you praise Lord; we bow before you and admit we actually own nothing that did not come from you. But what we have received in this life we give you thanks to you God, who daily pours out your gifts upon us.

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Posted in Children, Discipleship, Family, Pedagogy, Religious Education, Spiritual Formation, Wesley | Leave a comment

Economic Wisdom and Human Flourishing

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

2013-01-24_17-18-26_247I just got back from the retreat sponsored by the Oikonomia network. In addition to my earlier post, I joined a number of school faculty in a marvelous discussion on faith and economics.

We heard a solid overview around the role of money and economics by Victor Claar that proved helpful as a sound introduction to economics and monetary theory (both insightful but also disturbing).

Dallas WillardIn addition we heard two presentations by Dallas Willard, well known for his work on spiritual formation. Willard pushed the themes of theology and economics, providing I think a key framework based in large part on a theologically shaped virtue ethics (at least that is how I understood the backdrop).

Trying to summarize his complete presentation is not easy; however, Dr. Willard did provide talking points that should provoke considerable reflection and discussion. (I did include some additional info in parenthetical statements where Willard elaborated on his perspectives). Dallas Willard’s humility is lost when these are presented in stated form, but we need to recognize that his conviction is also shaped by his willingness to see each point a beginning point for ongoing conversation and nuance. I loved it. Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Economics, Leadership, Vocation | Tagged | 2 Comments

The Work of the People

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

Okay, just how serious can we be about the relationship between theology and economics, discipleship and work? I have already noted in a couple of previous posts this theme and some of the efforts we have attempted at NTS. Now I am sitting at a retreat with around 30 theologians and administrators from over a dozen seminaries and universities exploring the theme.  2013-01-24_17-18-26_247I left Kansas City and subfreezing temperatures for La Mirada’s 70 degree weather… but also rain, welcome to Southern California winter (just a note for my colleagues who think I am slacking :0-)

2013-01-25_07-42-15_855Greg Forster opened the conference last night with a thought provoking observation. He understands that both extremes of the national economic debate, the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street,  revolve around a continuing concern. Each group asks the question: “if I work hard and play by the rules, will it mean something?” That type of economic anxiety, that desire for human flourishing through meaningful work, under gird the goals of the Kern foundation and might serve as a backdrop for the discussion this week.

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Theology of Entrepreneurship?

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

Just how often do we pay close attention to workplace, the world of business, the arena of economics, as a place for theological reflection and intentional discipleship? Over the last few years I have begun wrestling with the workplace as a primary arena for discipleship. Too often ministry has lived on one side of a chasm between “church on Sunday” and “work on Monday.” This post tracks some of the reasons and early efforts… but it also suggests a new starting point for a theology and economics conversation over entrepreneurship.

Junction CoffeeThe issue began simply enough in a discussion over “service” at my local church in Nashville. While most people in the small group checked off their level of “church” service, one lady (who was active in the local congregation) listened pensively and finally lamented “I just wish someone would tell me that my work as an elementary school teacher was Christian service as well.”

I was struck by that lament then… and haunted by it today. I am a big believer in a missional God calling us to be a missional church. How could we ever discount the local workplace (school, business, factory, farm, etc.) as a place where God might be shaping Christians and validating vocation?

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