CF142DE Children S and Family Ministries Administration (Niles / Winter 2003)

CF662DE : Syllabus

2011-2012 Spring (C) (March 26-June 1, 2012)

Debra Moncauskas

(858)565-4808 ext. 204

Children’s and Family Ministries Administration

Course Description

This course explores the many facets of the administrative process within the context of a staff ministry position. Administration may be viewed as bringing the resources of an organization together in such a way as to maximize working relationships of people and programs for the benefit of both the organization and the individuals who comprise it. Students will be encouraged to examine the biblical bases for visionary leadership and the practical skills of creating and maintaining healthy programs for children and families.

Course Objectives

For the student:

1. To explore purposeful development of ministry-specific mission and visionary leadership

2. To develop management strategies related to

· facilities (safety and design)

· personnel (recruitment, supervision, and nurture)

· finances (budgeting and sound fiscal principles)

· programs (development and evaluation)

· marketing (internal and external communication strategies)

· community relations

· policy and procedures

3. To evaluate and improve on personal skills such as time management, data management, and building a circle of support and accountability

4. To become familiar with strategies of leading through change

Required Texts

Fall: Yourself and Your Vision

· Alley, Steve. Growing a Healthy Children’s Ministry: A step-by-step handbook to cultivating Christian kids in any environment. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2002. 224 pgs. ISBN 0784713901

· Sanders, J Oswald. Spiritual Leadership. Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute, 1994. 170 pgs.

· Stanley, Andy. Next Generation Leader: Five Essentials for Those Who Will Shape the Future. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2003. 165 pgs. ISBN 159052046-7

· Stanley, Andy. Visioneering. Sisters: Multnomah Publishers, 1999. 270 pgs. ISBN 1-57673-538-9.

Winter- Your Team: People as a Primary Resource (relationships, recruiting, team building)

· Kouzes, James M. and Barry Z. Posner. Encouraging the Heart: A Leader’s Guide to Rewarding and Recognizing Others. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003. 195 pgs. ISBN 0-7879-6463-8

· Lencioni, Patrick. The Five Dysfuntions of Teams. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2002. 200 pgs. ISBN 0-7879-6075-6

· Macchia, Stephen A. Becoming a Healthy Team: Five Traits of Vital Leadership. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2005. 190 pgs. ISBN 0-8010-6572-0

· Wilson, Marlene. Volunteer Leadership Series. Loveland, CO: Group Publishing, 2004.
Marlene Wilson ISBN: 076442744X

Spring: Your Other Resources: Finances, Facilities, and “Fences”

· Houser, Tina. Building Children’s Ministry: A Practical Guide. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008. ISBN 13: 978-1-4185-2681-8

· Wideman, Jim. Children’s Ministry Leadership: The you-can-do-it guide. Loveland, CO: Group Publishing, 2003. 144 pgs. ISBN 0-7644-2527-7

· Stephenson, Mark. Web-empowered Ministry: Connecting with People Through Websites, Social Media, and More. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2011.ISBN-13:978-1426713224

Summer: Your Programs: Charting New Paths

· Elmore, Tim. Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future. Atlanta: Growing Leaders Inc, 2010. 228 pgs. ISBN 978-0-578-06355-3

· Wilson, Marlene. Volunteer Leadership Series. Loveland, CO: Group Publishing, 2004.
Marlene Wilson ISBN: 076442744X

Course Requirements: Spring Quarter

Reading and Book Reports

· Your reading reports should demonstrate an understanding of the material covered in the books including key ideas, significant issues raised, important personal points of learning from the text and why these were significant to you.

· Include one issue from the reading that resonated with you

· Include a one paragraph summary of the most uncomfortable concept you came across in the reading and why.

· Include a one-paragraph summary of what you can apply directly to your ministry setting.

Reading Reports are due April 11th, April 23rd, and May 23rd.

Facility Evaluation: Due May 14th

Based on your reading this quarter, conduct a facility evaluation of the facility you use for ministry. If you are not currently serving in ministry, you may evaluate the facility of a church you are attending. (You should ask permission to do this.) You may want to use the form found in Growing a Healthy Children’s Ministry, pages 42-43 as a guideline. Your evaluation should include the following:

· First impressions. What are the first things someone new would notice about your facility? What does it look like? What does it smell like? Is there good signage so that people know where to go? Are there traffic flow issues near the classrooms?

· How are the rooms divided by age?

· Evaluate room use. Is there enough space for the children assigned to the room? Is the furniture adequate? Is it the right size? Are the rooms neat or cluttered? Is the room child-friendly? Is it clean? Are the toys or play equipment cleaned regularly?

· How are children welcomed into the ministry environment? Is there a check-in and check-out procedure?

· Do leaders wear nametags?

· Is there a parent call-system?

· Address safety and security issues.

· Are there first-aid kits in all of the rooms?

· Evaluate creative learning environments. Are there any hindrances to learning?

· Include an evaluation of supplies. Are there basic supplies available? What kind of supplies should be added and made available to teachers and/or students?

· Is there any outdoor play space? How would you evaluate that space?

· Evaluate the facility then write up your set of recommendations for improvement.

· Include an estimated budget and timeline for these recommended improvements.

Policies: Due June 1st

Think about the policy needs of your ministry assignment. What policy or procedure should be written out so that those who serve have clarity and clear expectations around their roles? You may choose one of the following or one of your own not listed below. (If you choose one not listed, please submit it to the professor for approval.) Use this assignment to add something of value to your ministry setting.

· Appropriate Touch Policy

· Discipline Policy

· Well/Sick Child Policy

· Diaper changing Policy

· Team Ministry Policy

· Child Abuse, Recognition and Reporting Policy

· Check-in/ check-out Procedures

· Emergency Procedures

· Child Protection Procedures

· HIV/Aids Policies

· Application and Screening Policy for Leaders

· Grievance Policy

· Media Use Policy

· Financial Policies (spending, receipts, accountability, permissions)

· Other?

Course Grading

Reading Reports: 20% each –total 60%

Facility Evaluation: 25%

Policies: 15%

Please note: All work must be submitted on time to receive full credit. Late work received within one week of a deadline will lose one grade. (i.e. an “A” will become a “B”) Late work, 8-14 days late, will lose two grades. (ie. An “A” will become a “C”)

Please contact your professor if special circumstances might cause you to miss an assignment deadline.

Academic Course Policies

Revised 10/26/2011 (Please see 2011-12 catalog for full range of requirements.)

1. Academic Integrity (p. 53): Written material submitted must be the original work of the student. Academic dishonesty constitutes a serious violation of scholarship standards at Bethel and can result in denial of credit and possible dismissal from the school. Any act that involves misrepresentation regarding the student’s academic work is forbidden. Academic dishonesty includes cheating on assignments or exams, plagiarism, fabrication of research, multiple submissions of work in different courses, misrepresentation of academic records, the facilitation of academic dishonesty, and depriving others of necessary academic resources.

2. Course Papers (p. 55): All assigned course and term papers in all degree programs (with the exception of those in Marriage and Family Studies and Community Ministry Leadership) are to be submitted in thesis form in conformity with the most recent edition of Kate Turabian’s A Manual for Writers…Students submitting papers in the Marriage and Family Studies, Marital and Family Therapy, and Community Ministry Leadership programs should follow the requirements of the most recent edition of The Publication Manual of the America Psychological Association. In addition, students are expected to use inclusive language.

3. Grades (p. 57): “Grades will be assigned using the full range of letter grades (A-F), representing the following levels of performance:

A Excellent work submitted; evidence of outstanding ability to synthesize and use course knowledge; consistent evidence of creativity and originality; insightful contributions in class; consistent demonstration of integrative and critical thinking skills; regular class attendance; and respectful interaction.

B Good work submitted; evidence of substantial ability to analyze and use course knowledge; evidence of creativity and originality; thoughtful contributions in class; demonstration of integrative and critical thinking skills; regular class attendance; and respectful interaction.

C Acceptable work submitted; evidence of adequate ability to analyze and use course knowledge; appropriate contributions in class; attempts at integration and critique; regular class attendance; and respectful interaction.

D Poor work submitted; little evidence of ability to analyze and use course knowledge; inconsistent evidence of mastery of course content; few contributions in class; no attempts at integration and critique; inconsistent class attendance; and respectful interaction.

F Inadequate work submitted; insufficient evidence of ability to analyze and use course knowledge; inappropriate and/or disrespectful contributions in class; poor class attendance; or failure to complete course requirements.”

4. Incomplete Course Work (p. 59): Students are expected to submit all work by the dates set by the course instructors and complete all course requirements on or before the last day of the quarter. The grade ‘Incomplete’ is temporary and will be granted only in unusual circumstances (such as serious illness or critical emergencies) and will not be considered for a student who is simply behind in the assignments.

5. Harassment Policies (p. 58): Bethel Seminary is committed to providing a Christ-centered community where students, faculty, and staff can work together in an atmosphere free from all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation, including racial and sexual harassment. All members of the Bethel community are expected to educate themselves about sexual and racial harassment.

6. Course Evaluations: Student course assessments are an important part of course development and enhancement. Student feedback is used by professors to modify courses and teaching approaches and is included in decisions on promotion and tenure for professors.

FOR ST. PAUL, SAN DIEGO, AND TRANSREGIONAL COURSES, in order to recognize the value of your input and to encourage you to provide that input, your completion of the course assessment electronically at the end of the course will be included as a factor in your final course grade. See your course syllabus for how this will be calculated. All courses will be evaluated. For further information about the evaluation process: For St. Paul and Trans Regional courses, please go to: https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/eval_index; For San Diego, please go to: https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/semfac/bssdfaculty/eval/

7. Accessibility: (p. 45) Please contact the instructor as soon as possible if disability-related accommodations are needed. Accommodations for students with documented disabilities are set up through the office of Disability

Services. Contact Disability Services at 651-638-6833. You may visit www.bethel.edu/disability for further, detailed information.

8. Drops/Withdrawals: (p. 62) If you are dropping or withdrawing from a course, it is important to establish your last day of attendance. Please notify the registrar’s office and contact your instructor of your intent to drop or

withdraw from a course. Students carrying financial aid, please contact the financial aid office prior to dropping or withdrawing from the course in order to be informed of the consequences of this action on financial aid. If you are in a course that uses distance education delivery (e.g. Moodle), be sure to sign on to your Moodle course prior to withdrawing in order to establish the last day of attendance in your course.

Assignments

(Please carefully refer to your Syllabus throughout this course for a detailed description of all listed assignments.)

Your Other Resources: Finances, Facilities, and “Fences”

Session One: March 26th – April 11th

· Reading:

o Growing a Healthy Children’s Ministry, Chapters 4, 6, 8, 9

· Reading Review Due April 11th

Session Two: April 12th – April 23rd

· Reading: Building Children’s Ministry: A Practical Guide (Whole Book)

· Reading: Children’s Ministry Leadership: The you-can-do-it guide (Whole Book)

· Reading Review Due April 23rd

Session Three: April 24th – May 14th

· Project: Facility Evaluation and Recommendations

· Due May 14th

Session Four: May 15th- May 23rd

· Reading: Web-empowered Ministry: Connecting with People Through Websites, Social Media, and More

· Reading Report Due: May 23rd

Session Five: May 24th – June 1st

· Project: Policies

· Due: June 1st