Liberty Baptist theological seminary
LEAD 830
Pastoral Leadership
Dr. charles n. davidson
434-592-4241
I. Course Description
An advanced study of the personal leadership function of the pastor. Attention is focused on such topics as conflict management, decision making, long-range planning, motivation, and interpersonal relationships.
II. Course Rationale
This is a course designed to expand and enhance the leadership training received in the M. Div. program and other training opportunities the student has experienced. Pastor's and church staff members are expected to be "bishops" and to manage the church. This course will take certain topic and do extensive study of them.
III. PREREQUISITES
None
IV. MATERIALS LIST
Managing Change:
Coutta, Edward. A Practical Guide for Successful Church Change. Universe, 2008.ISBN-10: 0595505759; ISBN-13: 978-0595505753
Planning:
Malphurs, Aubrey. Advanced Strategic Planning: A new Model for Church and Ministry
Leaders, 2 edition. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005. ISBN-10: 0801091810; ISBN-13:
978-0801091810
Church Conflict:
Everist, Norma Cook. Church Conflict: From Contention to Collaboration.Nashville:
Abingdon Press,2004. ISBN-10: 0687038014; ISBN-13: 978-0687038015
Decision Making:
Huffman, Douglas, ed. How Then Should We Choose? Three Views on God’s Will
and Decision Making. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2009. ISBN 978-0-8254-2898-2
V. MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
(LBTS PLOs: 2, 4, 5,)
The student will be able to:
A. Recognize the important place that leadership has in church growth.
C. Produce a plan to improve and strengthen leadership in the church.
D. Develop a plan to produce successful change in a church or religious organization.
E. Appraise potential resistance to change, with both rationale and possible response aimed at reducing that resistance.
F. Classify, with examples, the typical causes of church conflict.
G. Compare the various approaches to dealing with conflict in a church, determining the most appropriate means of resolving each.
H. Distinguish between good/positive conflict and bad/negative conflict.
I. Design an assessment and evaluative tool for a program or ministry of a church or religious organization.
J. Demonstrate an ability to evaluate and improve organization structures.
VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A. Pre-Course Assignment:
- Read and be prepared to discuss in class the textbooks.
B. Post Course Assignment:
- Prepare a 3-5 page critical evaluation (not a summary, but strengths and weaknesses) of each of the textbooks. You can choose three of the four text for critical evaluation. Evaluations are to be submitted to Dr. Davidson on Blackboard by November 30.
- Select one project from the list below.
Project 1: Begin the process of strategic planning. Your study should include a church and community survey that results in a listing of needs to be addressed.
Project 2: Evaluate a major conflict situation in your recent ministry. This would include a narrative presenting the conflict, information on how the conflict was managed, and an evaluation of the management procedure with emphasis on how the conflict might have been managed better.
Project 3: Prepare a report, "Why our church should _____ (make some decision). This report should be in a form that could be given to pastoral staff, deacons, or other decision making groups. It should contain sections on reasons for making a decision now, importance of the decision, alternative solutions (with pros and cons of each), a recommended solution with a strong presentation defending it, and a plan for implementing the decision. If the decision has been made, then an evaluation should be included.
VII. COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
- Weight
Class participation 100 pts.
Group presentation in classroom setting 100 pts.
Critical evaluation of textbooks `200 pts.
Final Exam 200 pts.
Project Course Assignment400 pts.
Total Points: 1,000 pts.
- Scale
940-1000 / A
920-939 / A-
900-929 / B+
860–899 / B
840–859 / B-
820–839 / C+
780–819 / C
760–779 / C-
740–759 / D+
700–739 / D
680–699 / D-
BELOW 679 / F
- Assignment Policies:
Each assignment should be completed by the end of the module in which it is assigned. All late work will be assessed a deduction of 5% per day of the assignment’s point value. Late work may not be penalized at the instructor’s discretion in the event of a military deployment, medical emergency, death in the family, or other extenuating circumstances.
D.Attendance Policies
The student is obliged to follow the attendance policies identified in the graduate catalog.
- Academic Misconduct Policies
Academic misconduct is strictly prohibited.See the graduate catalog for specific definitions, penalties, and processes for reporting.
F.Drop/Add Policies
The student is obliged to follow the drop/add policies identified in the graduate catalog.
G.Dress Code
The student is expected to maintain a neat, professional appearance while in class. The code is described in the graduate catalog and may be amended with guidelines by the school of study.
H.Classroom Policies
The use of cell phones will not be permitted. The use of computers is provisional. The student will only be allowed to use a computer if he/she is taking notes during class. Surfing of the web, social networking, or any other activity on a computer that distracts the student from the lecture (in the opinion of the professor) will result in the forfeiture of the privilege of the use of the computer in class. Should one student’s behavior result in the forfeiture of the use of a computer for that student, the entire class may lose the privilege of the use of computers.
- Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact the Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) in Green Hall 2668 to make arrangements for academic accommodations. For all disability testing accommodation requests (i.e. quieter environment, extended time, oral testing, etc.) the Testing Center (Green Hall 2700) is the officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular classroom.
- Student Conduct Policy
The student is expected to conduct himself/herself in a Godly and civil manner when addressing the professor or other students. While good healthy discussion will be expected and encouraged, at no time will personal attacks be tolerated.
X. CALENDAR
The class time will use a seminar approach, and the class members are expected to discuss the reading and add personal insights to the topics each day.
Monday topic: Leadership in the Church
Tuesday topic: Managing Change
Wednesday topic: Planning
Thursday topic: Decision Making
Friday topic: Conflict Management
X. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Supplied separately