Category Archives: Clergy

Community: Church and Seminary in Partnership

Posted on January 9, 2016 by Dean G. Blevins

Oikonomia Network (ON) Director Greg Forster opened Friday’s retreat sessions with a short history lesson. Forster noted that Dallas Willard’s early presentation in year one cast a powerful vision about the need to connect faith at work to the local … Continue reading →

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

Future of the Faith and Work Movement

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Dean G. Blevins

This year’s Oikonomia Network (ON) gathering took place in San Diego. The beauty of this coastal setting created a great backdrop for a serious conversation on faith, work, and economics. The vision of Avodah, a Hebrew term for work, worship, and … Continue reading →

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

Can we Know the World and Still Love the World?

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Dean G. Blevins

Tonight the Oikonomia Retreat came to a close with dinner and a presentation by Greg Forster titled “Can we Know the World and Still Love the World?” As director of the Network, Greg often spends his time “reporting,” facilitating or … Continue reading →

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

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

Dropping the Gauntlet, the Changing Face of Theological Education

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Dean G. Blevins

The Oikonomia Network began it’s retreat in earnest through a video presentation by Paul S. Williams, the David J. Brown Family Associate Professor, Marketplace Theology and Leadership at Regent College, that, in essence, dropped the gauntlet on theological education in general. … Continue reading →

Posted in Clergy, Discipleship, Economics | 1 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

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