PE022-712 - Principles of Vocational Stewardship

  • 2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 7
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • philosophy ethicsUnit Discipline

Corequisites

96cps of study, including 36 cps at AQF level 6

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code MCE41.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Functional knowledge and understanding of vocation as a spiritual act of worship

B. Be able to

1. Critically Analyse vocation from biblical, theological and historical perspectives
2. Demonstrate Functional skill in aligning vocation with God’s work in the world
3. Present Critical evidence-based perspectives on vocational stewardship
 

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives from ‘Principles of Vocational Stewardship’ to contemporary Christian life and ministry practice as a reflective practitioner

Content

A. FRAMING VOCATION: Forming a Theology for Missional Work

1. Introduction to Vocational Stewardship: vocation, calling, work dimensions, our kingdom mission, creation and redemption biblical imperatives

2. A Narrative Theology of Vocation I: Creation & Israel

3. A Narrative Theology of Vocation II: New Testament (Jesus, Church, New Creation)

4. An Historical Theology of Vocation: Overview of key movements and perspectives from Church History

5. Macroeconomic Context for Contemporary Vocation, e.g. capitalism and consumerism, globalization and the global financial crisis, impact of technology, environmental degradation, and changing work patterns.

B. DISCERNING VOCATION: Discovering and Sustaining Your Call

6. Discovering and Orienting Your Call for Vocation

7. Forming Spirituality for Shalom: cultivating vocational virtues and spiritual practices

8. Deploying Vocational Power: Pathways for Vocational Stewardship in work and in the church

C. STEWARDING VOCATION: Seeking Shalom on Your Frontline

9. Elements of Vocation I: The Nature of Your Vocation

10. Elements of Vocation II: The Context of Your Vocation: work environment, relationships, social capital, leadership & followership

11. Elements of Vocation III: The Income from Your Vocation: ethics, investment, using resources for Kingdom impact

12. Elements of Vocation IV: The Product of Your Vocation: goods & services, making good work and culture, environmental sustainability

13.  Celebrating Shalom through Vocation: witness and fellowship through vocation, all of life dedicated to God, entering the rest of the Lord.

 

Note: Sections A, B and C are weighted approximately 40%, 20% and 40% respectively.

Set Readings

Adeney, Tim, and Stuart Heath. Good Work: A Labour of Love. Gospel Groundwork, 2010.

Banks, Robert J., and R. Paul Stevens. The Marketplace Ministry Handbook: A Manual for Work, Money and Business. Vancouver: Regent College Pub, 2005.

Bolt, John. Economic Shalom: A Reformed Primer on Faith, Work, and Human Flourishing. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian's Library Press, 2013.

Boone, Dan. The Way We Work: How Faith Makes a Difference on the Job. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2014.

Brand, Chad. Flourishing Faith: A Baptist Primer on Work, Economics, and Civic Stewardship. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian's Library Press, 2012.

Chester, Tim. The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity, 2008.

Coffey, Ian. Working It Out: God, You and the Work You Do. Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 2008.

Crouch, Andy. Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2013.

Ellul, Jacques. The Technological Society. New York: Knopf, 1964.

Garber, Steven. Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2014.

Greene, Mark. Fruitfulness on the Frontline. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2014.

Hooper, Graham. Undivided: Closing the Faith-Life Gap. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press, 2013.

Hudson, David Neil. Imagine Church: Releasing Whole-Life Disciples. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press, 2012.

Hunter, James Davison. To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010.

Keller, Timothy J. Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters. New York: Dutton, 2009.

Mangalwadi, Vishal. Truth and Transformation: A Manifesto for Ailing Nations. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub, 2009.

Mouw, Richard J. He Shines in All That's Fair: Culture and Common Grace : the 2000 Stob Lectures. Grand Rapids, Mich: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co, 2001.

Perman, Matt. What's Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014.

Preece, Gordon. “Calling: Does God Call People to Work or Particular Kinds of Jobs, and If So, How?” Zadok Paper 203/204 (Spring 2014): 2-11.

Smith, James K. A. “Redemption.” In his Discipleship in the Present Tense, 3-10. Grand Rapids, MI: Calvin College Press, 2013.

Stevens, R. Paul, and Alvin Ung. Taking Your Soul to Work: Overcoming the Nine Deadly Sins of the Workplace. Grand Rapids, Mich: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub, 2010.

Volf, Miroslav. A Public Faith: How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good. Grand Rapids, Mich: Brazos Press, 2011.

Winner, Lauren F. Mudhouse Sabbath: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Discipline. Brewster, Mass: Paraclete Press, 2012.

Wong, Kenman L., and Scott B. Rae. Business for the Common Good: A Christian Vision for the Marketplace. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2011.

Wright, David. How God Makes the World A Better Place: A Wesleyan Primer on Faith, Work, and Economic Transformation. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian's Library Press, 2013.