Transforming Vocation: Connecting Theology, Church, and the Workplace for a Flourishing World(Australian College of Theology Monograph)

There has been an explosion of publishing in the faith-work movement in the last twenty years. Work is increasingly seen as the new frontier for Christian mission. However, the church and theological colleges have failed to keep up with the interest among, and needs of, workplace Christians. This book is the urgent corrective that is needed, moving past Theology of Work 101 to much deeper encounters with God's word as it relates to daily work. These twelve academic papers look at work through three different lenses: the workplace, the church, and theological education. It is prefaced by Mark Greene from the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, reflecting on what work, church, and theological education would look like if there was no sacred-secular divide. In the concluding remarks, the editors imagine a future where each domain is transformed by the gospel, working dynamically together for the life of the world. While academic in terms of depth of thinking, quality of research, and referencing of crucial sources for further exploration, this book is never dry. Rather, it's life-giving and provocative for every vocation, asking fundamental questions of the reader: What is the work that God is calling you to do? How can the gospel transform your work? And how well-positioned are churches and colleges to be at the forefront of transforming vocation? With contributions from: Mark Greene James Pietsch Peter White Peter Docherty Gordon Preece Keith Mitchell David Fagg Ian Hussey Colin Noble Andrew Matthews Sarah Bacaller Samuel Curkpatrick Maggie Kappelhoff

About the Author :
David Benson directs Culture and Discipleship at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (licc.org.uk). Formerly he lectured in practical theology, worldviews, apologetics, evangelism and faith-work integration at Malyon Theological College, an affiliate of the Australian College of Theology, based in Brisbane, Queensland. His work concerns pluralistic dialogue and the public expression of Christian faith in a post-Christendom context, toward the flourishing of all. Kara Martin is the author of Workship: How to Use your Work to Worship God, and Workship 2: How to Flourish at Work, and is a lecturer in leadership at Alphacrucis College in Sydney. She coaches social entrepreneurs and marketplace leaders through seed.org.au and is on the Marketplace Ministry Board of Lausanne Global. Her third book, How to Shape Christians for the Workplace, is awaiting publication. She has spoken, taught and written across four continents. Andrew Sloane is Director of Research and Senior Lecturer in Old Testament and Christian thought at Morling College, where he has taught since 2002. He teaches in the areas of integration of faith and work, Old Testament, philosophy of religion, and bioethics. Andrew qualified in medicine and practiced briefly as a doctor before training as a Baptist pastor. His latest book is Vulnerability and Care: Christian Reflections on the Philosophy of Medicine (2016).