DESCRIPTION: Asian American churches face challenges in their contexts (as neighborhoods change) and among generations (as newer generations become immersed in ethnic diversity and cultural shifts). Pastoral leadership has the work of providing interpretive, relational, and operational resources as a church engages its roots and its current context as agents of missio Dei. Leadership issues include character, capacities, knowledge, teamwork, and habits of reflection in the midst of experiences.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Practical theology provides a way for church leaders to reflect on ministry praxis by engaging theological resources (especially the perspective of missio Dei) in conversation with leadership and organizational studies. Church (and leadership) is always specific to a context, and this class will attend especially to Asian American contexts.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course, students will demonstrate the following:

• Cognitive: Understanding and integration of the theological framework of missio Dei with studies in leadership and organizational behavior.

• Skills: Ability to assess a congregation's current missional practices, challenges, and leadership resources.

• Affect: A heightened commitment to pursuing competencies suitable to leading Asian American churches and to mentoring future leaders.

Branson, Mark Lau, and Martinez, Juan F. Churches, Cultures and Leadership: A Practical Theology of Congregations and Ethnicities. IVP Academic, 2011. 275 pages. ISBN: 978-0830839261. Pub. Price: $25.00.

Fong, Ken. Pursuing the Pearl: A Comprehensive Resource for Multi-Asian Ministry. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1999. 192 pages. ISBN: 978-0817013042. Pub. Price: $18.00.

Quinn, Robert E. Deep Change: Discovering the Leader Within. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1996. 236 pages. ISBN: 978-0787902445. Pub. Price: $17.79.

Roxburgh, Alan J. Missional: Joining God in the Neighborhood. Baker Books, 2011. 196 pages. ISBN: 978-0801072314. Pub. Price: $16.99.

Additional materials will be on Moodle.

1. Class attendance and weekly Student Journal entries via Moodle. 20%

2. Reflection papers on Branson/Martinez, Fong, and Roxburgh (~250 words each). 15%

3. Organizational Audit including a SCOT assessment from a ministry context represented by their small group. 15%

4. Three-year Missional Futuring planning grid from the ministry context represented by their small group. 25%

5. A final assignment where each student will compose either an assessment report of their current church regarding their relative readiness for missional change or a proposal for a new ministry that is tied to a compelling eschatological vision (~3000 words). 25%