Visiting Lecturers 2012

7-17 Feb 2012: Theology of Work

Dr William Messenger and Alistair Mackenzie | Laidlaw College

People are created to work with God and each other to bring God’s creative purposes for the world to fruition. Yet most Christians say they don’t get enough guidance about how their work matters to God and how to work towards God’s purposes. This course equips students to identify God’s purposes and guidance in non-church-related workplaces and to help others do the same. Topics include the meaning and value of work, career and calling, leadership, business ethics, economics and society, and provision and wealth.

11-22 June 2012: The Ethics of Community

Dr Christine Pohl and Dr Nicola Hoggard-Creegan | Laidlaw College

Recognising the importance of community for Christian growth, formation, accountability, and witness, this course examines virtues and practices necessary for the flourishing of congregational life and Christian community. To help students reflect morally and theologically on challenges encountered in congregational ministry, it looks closely at the interaction between contemporary culture and the practices of promise-keeping, truth-telling, hospitality and gratitude. It also considers the impact of the deformations of practices in the forms of betrayal, deception, envy, entitlement, and exclusion.

Speakers

Dr William Messenger is the Executive Editor of the Theology of Work Project, an adjunct professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY, USA), and a member of the Board of Directors of ArQule, Inc., a biotechnology research and development company.

Dr Christine Pohl is professor of Church and Society/Christian Ethics. She has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary since 1989. She currently serves as an occasional advisor for homeless shelters and refugee programs. She has also helped plant three churches and is currently assisting her brother in planting a church in Nicholasville, Ky.