AG College News

AGTS to host special event "Flourishing Churches and Communities: Faith, Work and Economics in Spirit-Empowered Discipleship," January 29

The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS) and The Acton Institute for Religion and Liberty present "Flourishing Churches and Communities: Faith, Work and Economics in Spirit-Empowered Discipleship" beginning at Noon on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at AGTS (1435 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, Mo., 65802).

The public is invited to this free event that will unite Christians in faith and business communities together in strategic conversation. RSVP for the lunch, dinner or both to Susan Meamber (smeamber@agts.edu, (417) 268-1010). 

The economic uncertainty, moral confusion and spiritual hunger of our day call for dialogue among thoughtful people across diverse domains. In the past two decades, there has been intense interest and significant progress in the integration of ethics and economics, business and mission, with clerical and lay leaders finding new places of partnership. 

Thoughtful Christian leaders realize that evangelization and church planting/revitalization require fresh strategies as we confront challenges of cultural diversity, religious competition and skepticism and unprecedented social needs. The good news is that biblical faith and the empowerment of the Spirit provide the resources for local churches and communities to flourish as expressions of the kingdom of God. In order to realize this vision, church leaders, along with business, educational, social service and cultural leaders need to engage in serious conversations about issues so important to all of us as followers of Jesus.

The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary is dedicated to educating servant-leaders who are led by the Spirit for today's Church. 

The Acton Institute is dedicated to the integration of Judeo-Christian truths with free market principles and supports efforts of Christians from all traditions that enable the advancement of the Mission of God and human flourishing. 

The host for this event will be Dr. Charlie Self, the director of the Ph.D. in Bible and Theology and associate professor of church history at AGTS. He is also a senior advisor for the Acton Institute, tasked with mobilizing leaders to deep thought and decisive action. His new book (pictured above), published by Acton, represents a clarion call to Spirit-empowered discipleship that integrates faith, work and economics. 

Schedule (These sessions will be recorded and video posted to the AGTS website after the event.) 

Noon-1:30 p.m.: Lunch and Keynote Addresses   

• "New Frontiers of Mission and Economics," Stephen Grabill, director of programs and international and research scholar in theology at Acton
• "Exploration and Leading Change," Dwight Gibson, director of program outreach at Acton and a "chief exploration officer" with decades of church and corporate experience, will inspire us on leading change.

2-3:30 p.m.: Panel Discussion, "Toward Integration of Faith, Work and Economics"

5:30-7:30 p.m.: Dinner and Keynote Address

• "Economic Flourishing in the Mission of the Local Church," Dr. Greg Forster, program director of faith, work and economics at the Kern Family Foundation 

For more information contact Charlie Self (cself@agts.edu, 417-268-1077). To RSVP for the lunch, dinner or both to Susan Meamber (smeamber@agts.edu, (417) 268-1010).