DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is to teach students the calling, roles, and responsibility of Christian leadership in any context, but especially youth ministry. Issues discussed are: the meaning of being a Christian leader; how to develop a volunteer leadership program, how to recruit, initiate, train, nurture and care for volunteer leadership, the necessity for encouraging people in their giftedness, even if that may mean helping them to move on from youth ministry, and how to lead, equip and best utilize interns and paid staff.

The New Testament makes clear that leadership is the recognition that God works through every individual as their gifts are encouraged and exercised. Leading a ministry team, however, is not for many a natural talent, and even the most experienced of leaders have a hard time allowing for the free expression of the giftedness of others. The student will learn how to care for people in a way that allows the Spirit to move in and through a community of Christian men and women.

Lectures, class discussion, and presentations by various guest experts will make up the class time. Each student will complete a final project. Class meets once a week for a three-hour session.

Larson, Carl E. and Frank LaFasto. Teamwork: What Must Go Right, What Can Go Wrong. Sage Publications, 1989.

Nouwen, H. J. M. In the Name of Jesus. Crossroads, 1990.

Reed, Bobbie; John F. Westfall; and John Maxwell. Building Strong People: How to Lead Effectively. Baker Book House, 1997.

Houston, James M. The Mentored Life. NavPress, 2002.

Borthwick, P. Organizing Your Youth Ministry. Zondervan, 1988.

Johnston, R. Developing Student Leaders. Zondervan, 1992.

June, Lee N. Evangelism and Discipleship in African-American Churches. Zondervan, 1999.

Ratcliff, Donald and Blake J. Neff. The Complete Guide to Religious Education Volunteers. Religious Education Press.

Wilson, Marlene. How to Mobilize Church Volunteers. Augsburg Fortress, 1990.

1. Write a personal philosophy of Christian leadership paper.

2. Create a one-page case study dealing with volunteers and bring six copies to class on the day assigned.

3. Design a volunteer leadership program, including but not limited to, recruitment, initiation, training, fellowship and nurture opportunities, regular training times, camp counselor training, and evaluation.

4. Complete two quizzes on the lectures and readings.

5. Complete a midterm exam.

Elective for general M.Div. Required course for Youth, Family, and Culture concentration in the M.Div. and for the M.A. in Youth, Family, and Culture.