Theology of Work

This course explores the meaning and ministry of work which engages people for most of their waking hours. The approach taken is biblical – surveying and meaning of work in God’s revealed purpose;  contextual – understanding how world-views and specific cultures affect one’s work ethic and provide both points of content and a prophetic challenges; integrative – exploring how  work is related to ministry, calling, mission and the phenomenon of globalization; and theological – undertaking the understanding of, and practice of work in the light of the timeless Word of God and the contemporary situation.  Having a theology of work is critical both for those people engaged in a societal occupation and also for pastors, whose primary challenge of equipping the saints includes empowering people for the primary arena of their service to God in the world.

The purpose of this course is to: (1) Help leaders gain an understanding of these God-given institutions and how they were established to help us fulfill the pre-Fall mandate to be stewards (have dominion) of God’s creation, and to help us fulfill the post-Fall mandate to be stewards of the redemption mandate for mankind, (2) Help leaders apply this understanding to their personal calling and their ministry, (3) Provide leaders a clear understanding of what it means to be a steward of people and their gifts, of power and authority, of community resources and values, and (4) Show how the laity has been called to be stewards and ministers in the workplace and how the church has been called to teach, equip, and consecrate them to this task. (5) Help leaders understand the clear, God-given role for business in Scriptures, Church History, and from current examples, so that they can in turn pass this understanding on to the pastors and business/government leaders in their churches.