Hope College

Reading Assignments

inVocation Fellows enjoy a very unique opportunity to interact personally with some of the nation’s Christian thought leaders. These authors and activists are strong models of whole-life discipleship, living out their faith in the marketplace, the academy, the Church, and the public square. We cheerfully provide each Fellow with a copy of each major text selected for the program year. In order for our discussions with invited authors to be as rich and dynamic as possible, we ask Fellows to complete the assigned reading(s) before each Session. For those interested in diving more deeply into a particular topic, we have offered a curated list of additional resources to check out. Click here to view Fall 2022 reading assignments.

JANUARY 14, 2023

“Called to Steward Our Time” with Jen P. Michel

REQUIRED PRE-READING: “Habit Six: Practice”, pages 163-183 from In Good Time: 8 Habits for Reimagining Productivity, Resisting Hurry, and Practicing Peace  by Jen Pollock Michel 

OPTIONAL READING: “Align Your Time,” chapter 2 in Free: Spending Your Time and Money On What Matters Most by Mark Scandrette (IVP, 2013).

Brandon Crow, “How Should Christians Think About Productivity?” Review of Redeeming Your Time by Jordan Raynor,” The Gospel Coalition (Nov. 8, 2021). https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/redeeming-your-time/

FEBRUARY 11, 2023

“Called to Steward our Gifts & Abilities” with Bill Fullilove

REQUIRED PRE-READING: None, but you MUST complete the Highlands Ability Battery.

MARCH 11, 2023

“Called to Steward our Relationships” with David Bailey

REQUIRED PRE-READINGS (2): David Bailey, “Reconciliation is Spiritual Formation,” Comment (Spring 2021). Also, “Introduction and Chapter 1” of Just Health: Treating Structural Racism to Heal America by Dayna Matthew (NYC: New York University Press, 2022).

OPTIONAL READING: Jemar Tisby, The Color of Compromise (Zondervan, 2019).

APRIL 15, 2023

“Called to Steward our Money,” with Amy Sherman  

REQUIRED PRE-READING: Pages 33-52 in Practicing the King’s Economy by Michael Rhodes and Robby Holt (Baker, 2018)

OPTIONAL READING:

“Jumpstart Your Generosity” by Amy L. Sherman Prism (Jan/Feb 2009).

“Money Talks: Investing as Witness” by Amy Sherman (Eventide Center for Faith & Investing, 2022).

MAY 13, 2023

Closing Retreat: “Called to Steward Power”  with Andy Crouch

REQUIRED PRE-READING: Pages 1-48 of  Strong and Weak by Andy Crouch (IVP, 2016)

OPTIONAL READING: “Disciplined Power,” chapter 13 in Playing God by Andy Crouch (IVP, 2013).