DESCRIPTION:

Students will be challenged to consider how cultural and gender issues relate to effective Christian leadership. Students will articulate the ways in which they have been formed as leaders and will be introduced to major themes in leadership theory. We will examine leadership in relation to issues of ethnicity, culture, gender, and postmodernity. Students will become more fully aware of self and context and will thus become more effective leaders in churches and other organizations.

Cognitive: gain an understanding of leadership theory; see the importance for leaders of understanding one's own cultural formation and other cultures. Affective: desire to grow in cultural sensitivity; commitment to relating to diverse cultural settings; awareness of own cultural conditioning. Skills: ability to research and articulate the characteristics of a given culture that are relevant to leadership.

The class sessions will be a combination of brief lectures, discussion of readings and outside assignments, group work, and student project presentations. The class will meet daily for four-hour sessions for two weeks.

Heuser, Roger. Leadership and Team Building: Transforming Congregational Ministry through Teams. Matthews, NC: Christian Ministry Resources, 1999.

Law, Eric H. F. The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb: A Spirituality for Leadership in a Multicultural Community. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 1993.

Lingenfelter, Sherwood G. Transforming Culture: A Challenge for Christian Mission. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.

Ortiz, Manuel. One New People: Models for Developing a Multiethnic Church. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1996.

Weems, Lovett H. Church Leadership: Vision, Team, Culture, and Integrity. Nashville: Abingdon, 1993.

Course reader.

Strongly recommended to be completed prior to the first day of class:

1. Read all the books, especially Heuser (book review due August 2).

To be completed during the 2-week class:

1. Complete all readings according to lecture schedule and keep reading log (20%).

2. Three book reflections (800-1000 words each; 15%).

3. Attendance and participation (20%).

4. Personal leadership development project (1000-1500 words; 10%).

5. Cross-cultural interview project (1000-1500 words; 10%).

To be completed by September 9:

1. Research paper (3000-4000 words; 25%). Due by Sept. 9.

Meets requirement in Ministry Foundations (MINF) for MA in Theology.