Friendships and partnerships are growing throughout the body of Christ and Oikonomia Network members. We are excited to announce that ON steering committee member Charlie Self, professor of church history at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, is now director of city development for the Made to Flourish Pastors Network – an ON partner in helping pastors equip people for whole-life discipleship and faithful work. He will lead the launching of new networks and help resource current MTF networks, which now encompass 12 regions and hundreds of pastors and churches.
He commented on this new opportunity for service: “I am grateful for the privilege of serving local pastors and fostering flourishing cities. God’s work in the world takes place through people who spend their waking hours working, and MTF will help encourage pastors to envision, equip and empower all members toward fruitful influence for the glory of God and the good of others. This position is a convergence of my experiences, gifts and desires and I humbly ask that all my ON friends remember me and the entire team in their prayers as we partner with you.”
Self is the author of Flourishing Churches and Communities – the Pentecostal/Charismatic primer connected with the For the Life of World (FLOW) video series. His recent TED-style talk “Faithful Churches Create Flourishing Communities” is available for classroom and local church use. Along with Johan Mostert and other colleagues at AGTS, Self is the co-producer of the Discipleship Dynamics Assessment: the first biblically grounded and empirically validated assessment of whole-life discipleship that includes integration of faith with work and economic awareness. His career has also included pastoral and teaching ministry, along with business experience and deep interest in community and cultural transformation.
While Self will continue as a professor at AGTS, as MTF’s director of city development he will be fully devoted to expanding the size and impact of MTF networks. He will assist pastors and cities in addressing work and the economy within a framework of whole-life discipleship. This will include helping pastors understand that daily work is beautiful, community focused and a primary expression of neighborly love.
This new appointment will enhance the strategic partnership between the Oikonomia Network and Made to Flourish. MTF President Tom Nelson is dedicated to fostering stronger and wiser connections between seminaries and local churches, especially by establishing pastoral residencies for seminary students and graduates, and drawing on shared insights and resources for current pastors and network leaders.
MTF and the ON are exploring opportunities to create new resources for pastors and students together. As Self travels to various cities and seminaries, he is excited to help seminary leaders connect connect the ON’s robust theological reflection and disciple resources with the needs of local pastors.
