Oikonomia Network

Being the church means bringing life to the world, but how do we help our students lead churches that do that? In this stimulating new talk, Oikonomia Network Director Greg Forster argues that “economic life is the most powerful way to bring life to the world,” because “the economy is where people mostly live.” Drawing […]

When the church is divided by ethnic separation and political polarization, the kingdom of God is revealed less fully to our neighbors, and has a gravely diminished impact on communities. Sadly, our neighbors today are less likely to see the church either as an authentic spiritual body or as a positive social force – and […]

Reprinted from Made to Flourish. My friend Jason crowned me “Queen of the Side Hustle.” From the day we met, I had some sort of part-time, freelance work going on the side of being a student or a stay-at-home mom. Now, nearly a decade later, I’ve had to renounce my throne. “Queen of the Side […]

We inhabit a lonely, anxious culture bent on pursuing instant and constant gratification at nearly any cost. In this context, what does a truly flourishing life look like? What are the conditions necessary for cultivating a flourishing life? And what are the spiritual disciplines and habits of the heart that refine within individuals the capacities […]

I’m grateful to write this month’s seminary spotlight on behalf of The Commonweal Project at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I benefited from The Commonweal Project as a new student at Southern, grew with it through my MDiv, and now, get to serve it as its managing fellow.  I started at Southern in fall of 2014, […]

Note: This article spotlights the work of Paul Anderson, an individual faculty partner in the Oikonomia Network. He delivered this address as the 1985 Quaker Lecture, Western Yearly Meeting. See original text for full citations. Part One of Two The Revelation of John is actually a record of the revelation of Jesus Christ. This gripping […]

Karam Forum 2020 was a landmark. If pastors see themselves as CEOs, the call to justice and vocation – which rocks our placid organizational boats – will feel like a threat. But if pastors are shepherds, they can see that the call to justice and discipleship is essential to the flourishing of the flock. Discipling […]

At Karam Forum 2020 in Atlanta, the Oikonomia Network presented its new 2019 Impact Report. This document introduces the mission and vision of the network, with an overview of who our partners are and what we’re doing; provides testimonies and statistics on the scope of our impact; and previews our needs and opportunities for the years […]

Reprinted from Made to Flourish. What’s your measure for success at work? Somewhere in the back of my mind I carry around a little scorecard for success at work. “How was your day today?” my husband will ask me over dinner. To answer his question, I take out my little mental scorecard and review how […]

We’re grateful for the success of our Economic Wisdom Project Talks, a library of short and accessible – but catalytic and theologically weighty – videos that can be easily assigned to students in classrooms. Covering topics from Jesus as an economic teacher to the Trinity and work to how we can preach a public faith […]

As we step into the new year, we often welcome resolutions and reflections. We look at the year behind, and cast hopes and goals into the new year – and even the new decade – ahead.  This fall, the Theology of Work Project launched a new podcast, Making It Work, in partnership with The Max De […]

Five nouns, which we call our Graduate Profile, drive our teaching at Criswell College: Ambassador, Cultivator, Peacemaker, Problem-Solver and Professional. When students walk across the stage on graduation day, we intend that they will be these five things. We introduced our new Graduate Profile this academic year as a promise to our students and a […]

Theological leaders Richard Mouw and Greg Jones have dedicated much of their careers to equipping Christians to seek the common good of their communities. Both have led theological institutions and published on the intersections of faith and public life for many decades. Both will bring together the two sides of their careers – as scholars […]