We have created this course to enable students to explore the theological, cultural and pragmatic principles undergirding the integration of faith and work, toward restraining sin and promoting shalom.
The mission of Malyon College is “developing Christians of influence.” One of the greatest contemporary avenues for gospel influence is through our work, where we participate with God in transforming the world. Thus, we need wisdom to integrate our faith and our work.
Subtitled “Principles of Vocational Stewardship” (MCE41/61/D) we focus upon our “frontlines” where we invest the majority of our waking hours. Vocation includes all of life—domestic, economic, political and cultural relational spheres and responsibilities—as divinely given avenues through which persons respond obediently to the call of God. This unit will explore the theological, cultural and pragmatic principles undergirding the stewarding of one’s vocation toward restraining sin and promoting shalom. That is, we will seek flourishing through right relatedness with God, each other, and this world God loves.
This unit will help students to theologically frame, discern and steward their vocation as a spiritual act of worship (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:17; Proverbs 11:10). It will also assist church workers to empower and equip Christians to seek God’s Kingdom in all of life.
It studies a multitude of issues including:
A. FRAMING VOCATION: Forming a Theology for Missional Work
- What is “vocational stewardship”?
- A biblical/narrative and historical theology of vocation
- The macroeconomic context for contemporary vocation
B. DISCERNING VOCATION: Discovering and Sustaining Your Call
- Discovering and orienting your call
- Forming spirituality for shalom
- Deploying vocational power
C. STEWARDING VOCATION: Seeking Shalom on Your Frontline
- The nature, context, income and product dimensions of your vocation
- Joining in God’s providential, revelatory, justice, redemptive, compassionate and creative work in the world
- Celebrating shalom, balancing work and rest
Recommended Reading
Amy Sherman, Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2011).
Integrating Faith and Work Course Guide
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Module 1: Introduction to Vocational Stewardship
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Module 2: A Biblical Theology of Vocation (Part 1 of 2)
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Module 3: A Biblical Theology of Vocation (Part 2 of 2)
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Module 4: An Historical Theology of Vocation
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Module 5: Macroeconomic Context for Contemporary Vocation
Click to download this module. Also, see the link to Ken Liddell interview “Mining Engineering & Vocation” and the link to Lindsay McMillan talk “Work in Australia & Globally”.
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Module 6: Discovering and Orienting Your Call
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Module 7: Forming Spirituality for Shalom
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Module 8: Deploying Vocational Power
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Module 9: Elements of Vocation I: The Nature of Your Vocation
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Module 10: Elements of Vocation II: The Context of Your Vocation
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Module 11: Elements of Vocation III: The Income of Your Vocation
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Module 12: Elements of Vocation IV: The Product of Your Vocation
Click to download this module. Also, see the link to Sue Chapman video “Creative & Revelatory Work”.
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Module 13: Celebrating Shalom
Click to download this module. Also, see the link to interview with Painter “Reliable Richard” and the link to James Alley video “Redemptive & Revelatory Work”.