Emerging Scholars Blog

InterVarsity's Emerging Scholars Network

vocational stewardship

ESN News: A Leadership Transition

Photo: At Urbana 18, we held a staff party to celebrate Tom’s great work with ESN (Emerging Scholars Network). This picture shows Tom and Theresa Grosh, their daughter Ellen, and InterVarsity Grad/Faculty Ministry Colleagues Bobby Gross (Vice President for GFM), Kathy Tuan-Maclean (Director of Faculty Ministry), and Hannah Eagleson (ESN). 

With both sorrow and joy, we announce that Tom Grosh IV will be transitioning to a new role as an area director with CMDA (Christian Medical and Dental Association) in South Central Pennsylvania, and I will be carrying on the vision and mission of ESN. Sorrow, because Tom is an amazing colleague who has grown ESN into a vibrant ministry with a strong model, and I will miss him immensely. Joy, because Tom is moving on to another wonderful opportunity to serve Christ and still plans to do some volunteer writing with ESN, and joy also because I am deeply excited to grow the vision, mission, and model Tom has built at ESN. [Read more…] about ESN News: A Leadership Transition

Equipping Christian Scholars at Urbana 18: The ESN Urbana Fellows Program

“It was amazing seeing so many Christian graduate students passionate about integrating their faith and their academic work. The connections were invaluable and further spurred me on to persevere as a faithful witness to Jesus’ kingdom in the academy.” — InterVarsity ESN Urbana 18 Fellow

[Read more…] about Equipping Christian Scholars at Urbana 18: The ESN Urbana Fellows Program

Letter to a New Graduate Student

letter photo
Photo by lukemontague

Dear New Graduate Student,

I don’t know you. And yet today, I think about you and pray for you. The academic world is small and mobile enough that there’s a good chance we’ll be on the same campus at some point in our lifetimes, and yet this letter is probably the only chance I’ll be able to speak these words to you. And reflecting back on my own first year as a graduate student reminds me of all I want to say to you, to tell you that you aren’t alone. [Read more…] about Letter to a New Graduate Student

Deploying Vocational Power: Four Pathways

Kingdom Calling Cover
“Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good” (Amy Sherman. InterVarsity Press, 2011) Book Cover

Amy Sherman begins Chapter 8 of Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good (InterVarsity Press, 2011) with a bang!

Jesus is actually looking for people He can trust with His power. – Dallas Willard

Faithful vocational stewardship is not only about doing, it’s also about being. To deploy their vocational power for the common good, believers must possess a character that handles this power humbly and eschews its misuse. This is why discipling for vocational stewardship involves not only the work of inspiration and discovery but also an emphasis on formation (italics in original. Sherman, 129).

What do you think of power, particularly as a follower of Christ? How do you discuss its use in your household, local congregation, neighborhood, department, lab group, campus fellowship? Ever been in a mentor-mentee conversation such as the one young Spiderman found himself in with Uncle Ben?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DfztIIqbTI

I’m reminded that those engaged in higher education as young scholars are truly involved in a maturation process. Sherman helpfully highlights four key character traits as the beginning of wise vocational stewardship. As you consider these character traits, what Biblical texts and stories from your experience in higher education give testimony to their value?
[Read more…] about Deploying Vocational Power: Four Pathways