Terminology

While browsing our website, you may come across terms you are unfamiliar with. This page lists terms relevant to this movement, and explains how they should be understood.

Terms Introduced by The Dorean Principle

dorean — A transliteration of ΔΩΡΕΑΝ (free), as found in Matthew 10:8.

doreanism — Anything pertaining to the dorean principle.

The Dorean Principle — A book by Conley Owens that first coined the term the dorean principle, and originally defined it as follows: “In the context of gospel proclamation, accepting support as anything other than an act of colabor compromises the sincerity of ministry.” (See below for the broader use of the term today.)

the dorean principle — The biblical principle that spiritual things must be freely given, and any receipt of support must be in the form of co-labor rather than reciprocity. An easy-to-understand approximation of this principle that is frequently expressed is: “Ministry should be supported, not sold.”

co-labor — Originally defined in The Dorean Principle as “Support (material or otherwise) given by man to a minister out of a sense of obligation to God, to honor or aid in the proclamation of the gospel.” This usually takes the form of donations to persons or organizations involved in ministry, and is considered appropriate by this movement.

reciprocity — Originally defined in The Dorean Principle as “Support (material or otherwise) given to a minister out of a sense of direct obligation for his ministry of the gospel.” This usually takes the form of payment for ministry, and is opposed by this movement.

mediated obligation — Where believers are to support ministry, not out of obligation to the minister, but out of obligation to God.

Other Relevant Terms

christian ministry — Spirit-empowered service specifically and directly for the edification of the body of Christ. This definition captures most of what is considered subject to the dorean principle. Not all things labeled as ‘ministry’ today are subject to it; only those that meet this definition are.

freely given — Something that has been given free of cost and conditions (such as copyright restrictions).

open licensing — Removing the most restrictive conditions of copyright, requiring only attribution or a ShareAlike condition.

public domain — Intellectual property that has fallen into, or been dedicated to, the public domain. Such resources are not owned by anyone and have no copyright restrictions.

simony — The buying and selling of spiritual things. It is named in reference to Simon the magician’s attempt to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit in Acts 8.

the Jesus trade — The commercialization of Christianity, highlighting how selling the sacred has become normalized, much like the historical normalization of the slave trade.