Oikonomia Network

Theology that Works

Helping pastors equip people for whole-life discipleship, fruitful work and economic wisdom.

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The Trouble With Utopia

byKenneth Barnes, Mockler-Philips Associate Professor of Workplace Theology and Business Ethics and Director of the Mockler Center for Faith & Ethics in the Workplace, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Note: This is an excerpt from the new book Redeeming Capitalism. As this excerpt suggests, Barnes sets the Christian message of redemption against both the moral emptiness of our current “postmodern capitalism” and the naiveté of revolutionary utopias. Whether driven by political will or economic theory, well-meaning people creating an economic utopia are destined for […]

Thinking Big at Karam Forum 2019

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Mark your calendars for Karam Forum, January 3-4, 2019 in Dallas. We’ll think together about how the deep patterns of scripture can inform and transform how our people live their daily lives in their homes, workplaces and communities. Taking place at the Warwick Melrose Hotel, Karam Forum will bring together theological educators and Christian academics […]

Seminary Spotlight: Seattle Pacific Seminary

byDoug Koskela, professor of theology

Located in a thriving urban setting, Seattle Pacific Seminary (SPS) aims to prepare students for holistic ministry with a threefold emphasis on scholarship, spiritual edification and service. This approach, which we call “Academy, Abbey, and Apostolate,” reflects our Wesleyan identity in joining “knowledge and vital piety” to engage the world with the gospel of Jesus […]

Faith at Work Summit Call for Papers

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The Faith at Work Summit is a gathering of over 500 Christian leaders from the marketplace, the church, academy, and faith/work movement organizations who come together to learn from each other and positively impact workplaces around the world. The ON has a history of leadership at the summit, and 2018 will be no different! Register […]

Karam Forum Mini-Talks

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Each session at Karam Forum 2018 was hosted by a leader from our community who framed the session with a 7-8 minute mini-talk. Like our Economic Wisdom Project Talks, these mini-talks are packed with catalytic insight. Check them out below and mark your calendars for Karam Forum 2019, featuring Miroslav Volf, David Miller and Mark […]

How Are You Doing? A Rubric for Schools

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All our partner schools know that the change we seek in theological education is not an overnight process. Our ambition is generational; it is a change that will take twenty years, not two. But when we’re working for the long term, there is a danger of losing focus and momentum. How can a school get […]

Fellowships at Acton University

byAnna Kelly, program outreach associate, Acton Institute

In June 2018, the Acton Institute will welcome 50 Oikonomia fellows to Grand Rapids, Mi. to attend Acton University. Being awarded an Oikonomia fellowship is a unique opportunity for a cohort of evangelical seminary professors to network during a four-day conference in order to promote sound anthropology and economic understanding in U.S. seminaries and churches. […]

Seminary Spotlight: Bethel Seminary

byJustin Irving, interim co-vice president & dean

Bethel Seminary joined the Oikonomia Network in 2012. Since 2013, the Work with Purpose Initiative of Bethel Seminary has intentionally worked with seminary students and ministry leaders as they develop and implement a robust theology of whole-life discipleship. Along this journey, we are grateful for the partners like the Oikonomia Network and Made to Flourish […]

Seminary Spotlight: Assemblies of God Theological Seminary

byRandy Walls, associate professor of pastoral leadership

AGTS has been part of the conversation about academic integration of whole-life discipleship, vocation and economic wisdom for about ten years now. Starting with a small initiative, we began to conceive what might be possible for a Pentecostal seminary to embed itself in this milieu. Early on, the conversations occurred among just a few of […]

KF18: Poets and Prophets for God’s People and World

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Charlie Self delivered the closing address at Karam Forum 2018, “Poets and Prophets for God’s People and World.” He cast a vision for theological and educational institutions to raise up Christians who can inspire and instruct in a polarized and embattled world. In seeking the shalom of the church and the nations, our institutions of […]

New Members Join ON Steering Committee

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The ON is proud to welcome four new members to the network’s steering committee. Each has been a contributor to the ON community at large, as well as leading the way in theological education through their own teaching and scholarship. We also honor Gerry Breshears as he transitions off the committee, though not out of […]

Creation and Creativity

bySean McDonough, professor of New Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Note: This is an excerpt from the author’s book Creation and New Creation. Notes have been omitted. Whatever the precise meaning of the “image” language might be, it is clear that humanity plays a critical role in the furthering of God’s creation project: while the language of “co-creation” might be too strong, J. R. R. […]

Sample Assignments Across the Curriculum

byJennifer Woodruff Tait is managing editor of Christian History, content editor for The High Calling at the Theology of Work Project, an Episcopal priest, an affiliate professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, and the author of The Poisoned Chalice.

Here are more sample assignments to help inspire fresh thinking about how to incorporate a concern for vocation, flourishing and economic justice across the curriculum. Church History Ask students to respond to the Apostolic Tradition’s list of unacceptable jobs for Christians (chapter 16 here.) What is the context for this writing? (It will help to […]

Seminary Spotlight: Indiana Wesleyan University

byMichael Blue, executive director, Ron Blue Institute for Financial Planning

Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) desires to promote conversations and curricular integration to move students and faculty into a more complete understanding and practice of what it means to steward one’s whole life for God’s glory. In previous ON newsletter articles, we have highlighted our workplace internship program for pastoral students and other initiatives. In this […]

Join Us for the Faith at Work Summit

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The 2018 Faith at Work Summit, held in Chicago at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare on October 11th-13th, is now open for registration! The early bird pricing for registration is now available at $179 per ticket, so be sure to purchase soon! The ON has been a leading co-host and sponsor of the summit from the beginning. We’re proud […]