By Dean Blevins, reprinted from the Oikonomia Network. “A gym really needs a pastor.” Observations like this one sprinkle across a new curriculum offered by Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) focusing on entrepreneurship with ministry in mind. The comment comes from my interview with entrepreneur and pastor Brett Armstrong, founder of CrossfitRWOL in Mustang, Oklahoma. This former youth pastor turned independent…
By David Williamson. Magnificent, skillfully worked, hand-crafted carvings are scattered throughout our home; they are fresh works of art, a personalized adaptation of folk art, from an untrained yet masterful wood carver, my father. I am coming to appreciate and value these pieces more each day. They are mostly owls and eagles, lovingly carved out of basswood. A manager of…
By Darren Lim, reprinted from the Salt & Light Australia Daily Devotional. Being a Christian in the workplace requires us to consider many perspectives. On the one hand we should always be striving to perform our jobs with excellence, while at the same time we need to consistently keep watch on how our actions, words and character reflect on our faith. In…
By Chris Robertson, reprinted from Made to Flourish. At Made to Flourish, we often focus on the three flourishings. We argue that a flourishing pastor should lead to a flourishing church, and a flourishing church should result in a flourishing community. We are living in a moment fraught with questions, uncertainties and fear. All of which do not often lead…
By J. Mark Bowers, reprinted from the Chalmers Center. Part one of two. What would you do if you received a windfall of money today? Imagine $20,000 fell into your lap. How would you use that amount of cash, no strings attached? Go for it. Dream! Some of us might finance a new car for reliable, stylish transportation. The more…
By Demi Prentiss, reprinted from Living God’s Mission. The writer of Ephesians urges us to “walk worthy of the vocation to which you’ve been called.” (Ephesians 4:1) In the midst of daily life, that can be a challenge, especially in our daily work. In a recent blog, Bob Robinson offered six markers that distinguish a “job” from a “vocation.” He thinks…
By David Gill, reprinted from The 313. The economic and workplace disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic are far-reaching and deep. Some of us have been required to mask and suit up and keep on keeping on as essential workers in disease-exposed workplaces. Others of us have managed to keep up our work but do it remotely via the internet. But still…
By Jim Grubs, reprinted from Minding the Gap. I began my employment with Reell Precision Manufacturing at a time when the company was flourishing. We designed and produced excellent products; we had strong net profits; co-workers enjoyed benefits that typically exceeded industry standards; and the leadership was clear and intentional about its purpose. However, as is true with all organizations, we…
By Colleen Derr, president; reprinted from the Oikonomia Network. Wesley’s students serve as basketball coaches, 7-11 managers, junior high teachers, YMCA directors, corporate executives, chaplains and health care providers as well as church planters, pastors, church leaders and missionaries. Our students live in 29 different countries, speak many different languages, and are connected to over 60 different Christian denominations. What…
By David Williamson. Being “house bound” or “grounded” by Covid-19, I started cleaning out old files and came across two newspaper articles that I had been saving, about shoes. The two articles had two very different vantage points: one, a manufacturer; the second, a shoeshine provider. This led me to remember a familiar old spiritual about shoes, and how all…
