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Author: The Green Room

Ever heard of a “green room”? It’s the room in a theater where actors and speakers can relax when they’re not on stage….talk to each other about what they really think, fix their makeup, get some coffee, and otherwise prepare for their next moment “on.” Well, this blog is the green room for the faith and work movement, where its leaders can kick off their shoes, grab a cup of coffee or a mug of tea, and talk heart-to-heart about where the movement’s come from, where it’s going, what’s working, and what’s not working. We hope you’ll join the conversation.

Gleaning: Make Space for the Outsider

By David Gill, reprinted from the Bay Area Center for Faith & Tech. What would an economic system look like if God designed it?  I mean the God who loves everybody on earth. The God who loves the poor as well as the rich, east and south as well as north and west. Would it be all about free enterprise…

Just Imagine: God a Worker!

By Greg Forster: part one of a series. Do we really think of God as a worker? We may say he is one, citing John 5:17 or other passages. But does our concept of God match our theology?  How we imagine God is one of the most profound formative influences on our faith and life. That’s why scripture gives us…

Conflict at Work: A Small-Group Study

Reprinted from the Theology of Work Project. Introduction to the Issue Most of us have experienced conflict at work. Shows like The Office and movies such as Office Space make light of conflicts between bosses and subordinates or between coworkers. But real workplace conflict is no laughing matter. If conflict goes unresolved it could leave you feeling stressed, drained and…

In Praise of Ordinary Work: Virtue, Struggle and Individuality

By Chris Armstrong, reprinted from Humanism as a Way of Life. Part four of a series. But what is ordinary work? It is long, slow, steady, continuous, and fraught with the thorns and thistles of the Fall. It is incremental, additive, progressive. It most often creates results by the concerted efforts of many people, working over an extended time, within a…

So What Are We Meeting For? Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ

By Jo Trickey, reprinted from the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28 I’ve got a five-year-old who’s currently football mad. He’s making lists of the most important pieces of kit to buy, asking, ‘Is this good…

A Christian Vision for the Common Good

Reprinted from the Oikonomia Network. Our vision paper “A Christian Vision for Flourishing Communities” lays out how we see the challenge of renewing theologically formed Christian wisdom for the common good and human flourishing in the advanced modern world. En Español: “Una Visión Christiana para las Comunidades Florecientes“ Inside, you’ll find: While the Twelve Elements usually get most of the…

Ministry Design Principles: Addressing Brokenness

Reprinted from the Chalmers Center; part seven of a series. Over the last few months, we have reviewed the Ministry Design Principles established by A Field Guide to Becoming Whole, and today we look at the last five principles. Creating and stewarding God’s Kingdom Community means that we need to actively care about our stories, practices, systems, people, and spirits, which…

The Work beneath the Work

By Demi Prentiss, reprinted from Living God’s Mission. There is holiness in our work—paid and volunteer, work we’re called to and work we resist, work that’s rewarding and work that drains us.  We come closer to making our life a prayer when we can discover that holiness. When we can perceive God present in the work itself. My work colleague,…

On the Freedom of Generosity

By Paul Taylor, reprinted from the Bay Area Center for Faith, Work & Tech. In one of his most challenging statements, Jesus once told a wealthy young man to sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor. That instruction has generated a variety of responses among Jesus’ followers. Some actually do what he suggested. Some feel guilty…

Work from the Beginning: Genesis 7-8

By David Williamson, part seven of a series. God’s intent in saving Noah and the contents of the ark is broader and more comprehensive than the particular creatures and plants. God uses Noah and this remnant from the original creation to preserve all forms of life. Is Noah in this way an environmentalist, understanding and protecting the whole hearth for future…