Character and Virtue in Practice

This workbook is an essential resource for training pastors and emerging leaders in Majority World contexts to serve with wisdom, compassion and integrity.

Nigel Ajay Kumar, PhD
Theological Education Consultant and Curriculum Designer,
Global Theological Education Network

This is an excellent workbook that I highly recommend. There is no better place to start for a balanced, thorough and thoughtful introduction to the practice of Christian character and virtues.

James Arthur, DPhil
Director Emeritus,
Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, University of Birmingham, UK

This workbook will assist workers around the world as they equip leaders through individual mentoring, church-centred, non-formal training and formal theological education.

John Bernard, DMin
President, Mesa Global

Character and Virtue in Practice is a clear and practical workbook that invites you to train like an athlete, and develop habits and virtues that will help you and those around you flourish.

René Breuel
Lead Pastor, Hopera Church, Italy
and Sarah Breuel
Executive Director, Revive Europe
Member of the Board of Directors, Lausanne Movement

Dr. Oxenham’s Character and Virtue in Practice is an invaluable twenty-four-week guide designed to cultivate Christian character and virtues.

Jhohan Centeno, PhD
Theological Education Consultant,
Latin America and the Caribbean, Mesa Global

For many, virtue and character are vague categories or, at best, hard to explain. Oxenham simplifies these not only for understanding but also proposes tools to develop it. This is a great resource for the church.

Joyson K. Cherian, PhD
Regional Vice-President, Manna Group of Ministries
Founder Coordinator, Christ Love For All Youth Movement

Character and Virtue in Practice is a unique, interactive, multi-generational guide to virtue literacy, offering practical insights for cultivating virtuous character. I highly commend Marvin Oxenham’s labour of love to you.

Samuel E. Chiang
Deputy Secretary General, World Evangelical Alliance

Highly recommended for theological educators, pastors, church planters, new believers and all who wish to cultivate virtue in alignment with Christ.

Valerie Hamilton, PhD
Member Engagement, A Global Alliance for Church Multiplication GACX

For those committed to competency-based theological education, Character and Virtue in Practice offers a unique blend of biblical teaching and practical exercises designed to connect character education and discipleship.

Greg Henson, DMin
President,
Kairos University, South Dakota, USA

Character and Virtue in Practice is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of character and virtue.

Bennet Lawrence, PhD
Regional Secretary, ATA India

In an accessible, easy-to-grasp format, the Character and Virtue in Practice workbook delivers on what it promises; to lead individuals, churches, students and teams through a process of deeper discipleship and spiritual formation.

Connie Main Duarte
Co-General Secretary, European Evangelical Alliance

This is an engaging and well-written manual with sound biblical teaching and a down-to-earth practice, laid out in a user-friendly format.

Michael Phua
Academic Dean,
Italian Chinese Theological Seminary, Italy

Sadly, a few pastors in the non-formal sector resort to an unfortunate expediency in their day-to-day pastoral praxis, characterized by a lack of integrity. This workbook makes a helpful contribution towards solving that problem.

Reuben van Rensburg, PhD
Project Director, Re-Forma

If you are seeking Christic in-formation built on reliable information, here is your workbook into biblical maturity.

Ramesh Richard, PhD, ThD
President, RREACH
Professor of Global Theological Engagement and Pastoral Ministries,
Dallas Theological Seminary, Texas, USA

Character and Virtue in Practice is an indispensable resource for educators, discipleship leaders and individual learners seeking to intentionally shape character with practical, research-based tools.

Barry Saylor, DMin
Executive Director,
World Alliance for Pentecostal Theological Education

The development of character and virtue will only result in good works for the glory of God. I fully recommend this workbook.

Henry Tan, PhD
President, International Leadership Consortium – Cru

1. Preface
2. Introduction
3. Week 1 Why Character, What Virtue?
4. Week 2 About Virtue and Character
5. Week 3 Exploring Biblical Roots
6. Week 4 Virtue in Your Culture
7. Week 5 Making a Commitment
8. Week 6 Take the Virtue Test
9. Week 7 Interpreting the Virtue Test
10. Week 8 A Plan for Practice
11. Week 9 What Is Habituation
12. Week 10 Planning for Virtue
13. Week 11 Character Friendship
14. Week 12 Engage a Friend
15. Week 13 Improve Your Virtue Literacy
16. Week 14 Being Humble
17. Week 15 Being Temperate
18. Week 16 Being Courageous
19. Week 17 Being Just
20. Week 18 Being Compassionate
21. Week 19 Being Diligent
22. Week 20 Being Grateful
23. Week 21 Being Passionate
24. Week 22 Being Loving, Faithful and Hopeful
25. Week 23 Being Prudent
26. Week 24 Evaluate, Reflect and Celebrate
27. Group Facilitator Guidelines
28. Further Exploration
29. Notes