Moody Bible Institute, home of Moody Theological Seminary, is going through a time of transition. The search for a new president is progressing well. God is proving his faithfulness to Moody in many ways, as he has over the last 132 years.
We launched our faith and work initiative in 2013. The seeds that were sown over the last five years are sprouting up in unexpected ways. Here are some of the ongoing faith and work programs taking place on the Moody Chicago campus.
Moody Distinguished Speaker Lunch Lectureship
We have held this lecture almost every month from September to April over the last four years. This is very successful as it brings awareness of the significance of the integration of faith and work among faculty, staff, students and people from Moody Radio’s listening audience. Attendance averages about 110 people. Speakers from various backgrounds, such as faith and work academics, business and marketplace leaders, economists and other leading professionals have provided valuable insight to the hearers. Some of these lectures can be viewed on our website.
Moody Marketplace Leaders Forum
Launched in spring 2018, this weekly forum is an in-depth Bible study led by Moody Bible Institute’s faculty. Participants also join in group and one-on-one prayer and spiritual guidance, as well as networking with marketplace leaders. The forum takes place on the Moody campus every Thursday from 11.45 AM to 1.00 PM and is planned to continue in the fall 2018 and spring 2019 semesters.
Four Saturdays in September Course
Moody Theological Seminary is once again offering a non-degree certificate course to people in the marketplace, as it has done over the last three years. The course was previously offered as a one-week modular class and was very well received by students. In September 2018 the course will be held on four Saturdays, September 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM and will be taught by seminary resident faculty and eminent guest lecturers. Here is what a former student said on the completion of the course: “Wow! In every aspect of my life, from work, to home, to church, to ministry – I can’t wait to put these new things into practice. I’ve already begun sharing these lessons and passages I’ve learned with my husband, parents, and friends.”
Moody Undergraduate Student Interest
The seminary offers a class, coming up again in fall 2018, with a dual syllabus, so students from Moody’s undergraduate school can take the course. The class is Vocational Stewardship: Integration of Faith, Work and Economy. Undergraduate theology students are showing strong interest in the course, evidenced by the growing number of students every year. This student interest was noticed by Moody Distance Learning, and in a new integrative program, this course is being developed to be offered to online students.
New Ministry Ventures
MTS students are developing new ministry ventures that are being progressively managed using best practice industry processes. A proposal is being evaluated to create a sustainable ministry environment that will enable entrepreneurial ministry ventures to flourish for the economic and spiritual benefit of peoples in the USA and globally. Stay tuned to see what emerges!
All in all, it can be said: God is sovereignly leading and growing the faith and work program at Moody Bible Institute. What began as an initiative at Moody Theological Seminary has now spread to Moody’s undergraduate and distance learning schools, and staff! The faith and work program enjoys the support of Moody’s interim president and its provost – the latter of whom, John Jelinek, is also vice president and dean of the seminary, and has been a partner in this program since its beginning. The program has the cooperation and support of the leadership and various departments at Moody. All are working together to make the faith and work program a blessing to many and the glory of God.
Sajan Mathews, professor of theology
