Foundational Concepts

Are you new to the faith-work conversation? Are you wondering where to start? There are a number of high-quality resources to consider as you begin to unpack how faith fundamentally shapes the purpose of our work and our understanding of vocation.

Work with Purpose Booklets

Biblical and Theological Perspectives on Work

This concise booklet examines the biblical foundations, historical insights, and constructive proposals related to work and vocation. It provides an excellent, accessible foundation for pastors, ministry leaders, and lay Christians on why work matters to God. Purchase copies.

Contributing authors:

Glen Scorgie, Professor of Theology, Bethel Seminary San Diego
Jeannine Brown, Professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary San Diego
Paul Ferris, Professor Emeritus of Hebrew Bible, Bethel Seminary St. Paul

The Scope of Kingdom Work: A Christian Vision of Society, Culture and the Life to Come

This practical booklet offers an expanded vision of kingdom work that acknowledges the significance of evangelism and church planting. Discover how God's comprehensive purpose for humanity extends to vocation and leads to a variety of professions as valid Christian callings. Learn to appreciate the life to come while celebrating the importance of kingdom life—and work—here on earth. Purchase copies.

Contributing author:

Glen Scorgie, Professor of Theology, Bethel Seminary San Diego

Must-Read Books

Here are a few titles we strongly recommend:

Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work - Timothy Keller & Katherine Leary Alsdorf
Keller and Alsdorf offer a solid biblical and theological foundation for work that identifies ways our faith expresses itself in and through a redeemed understanding of daily work

Imagine Church: Releasing Whole-Life Disciples - Neil Hudson
Hudson draws from powerful true stories to illustrate how ordinary churches can become communities of people living out their whole lives as followers of Jesus, Monday through Sunday

Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good - Amy L. Sherman
Sherman explores how everyday work can directly contribute to flourishing communities and invites us to imagine what happens when God's people steward their faith and work for the greater good

Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good - Steven Garber
Garber argues that a biblical definition of vocation means following our calling to help the world flourish while seeking the welfare of others and loving the world with all its joy and pain

Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work - Tom Nelson
Nelson writes from his own experiences as a pastor by weaving in engaging and practical stories as he makes a strong case for the importance of faith-work integration in the life of the local church

Articles and Papers

The Economic Wisdom Project (pdf) from the Oikonomia Network provides a biblical framework on where theology and economics meet and how this shapes our communities

In his paper on faith and work (pdf), Roger Anderson identifies solutions to key challenges churches face when adopting a worldview that assumes the integration of faith and work

Case Studies

We collaborate with local pastors and churches to support their efforts toward faith, work, and economic integration. The case studies below include three Twin Cities pastors sharing their experiences of engaging their congregations in whole-life discipleship, plus our story of developing a national-level workshop in partnership with our church network.

Talks Series Scripts

Faculty members from Bethel Seminary St. Paul and San Diego recorded a video series outlining biblical and theological perspectives on work. Go deeper into the content and get more insights by viewing the written scripts of each talk.

Seminary Student Reflections

We hosted the 100,000 Hours Colloquy reading group in both St. Paul and San Diego. Seminary and graduate students met regularly over an entire semester and read four foundational books. Participants from the Seminary wrote reflection papers on what they've learned. We've collected highlights of their work via short blog posts. And we are also pleased to share the full-length winning papers from the last few years.

Graduate School Speech

At the May 2016 commencement ceremony for the Graduate School at Bethel University, MBA graduate Jon Bonkoski delivered a short address highlighting the importance of living out our calling and using our 100,000 working hours for God's kingdom. Read the brief script of his remarks below:

Commencement speech script - Jon Bonkoski (pdf)

Pastors Gathering Discussion Notes

We hosted an ongoing series designed to give pastors and ministry leaders the opportunity to learn from one another as they move toward whole-life discipleship. Use the links below to access notes from past gatherings that capture the discussion content.

Guest Preaching Sermon Notes

Work with Purpose staff member TediAnne Hasapopoulos spoke at Abundant Life Church on what the Bible says about our identity as a human being and as a worker.

Looking in a Mirror Sermon Notes (pdf)

Seminary Student Teachings Transcripts

Bethel Seminary students from San Diego recorded videos of their teachings on faith and work. Get a different perspective on their content by viewing the written scripts of each teaching.

Preaching Resources

These materials are designed to help pastors and teachers more effectively communicate truth about whole-life discipleship to their congregations.

Worship Resources

These materials include lists of worship songs relating to work and a pastor-led project that developed new music connected to the ideas of vocation and calling.