Spring 2011/ Houston

GM550: Leadership and Character Development

Mike Johnson

DESCRIPTION: This course will tackle leadership from the perspective of principal based leadership. Of the two key components of leadership: competence and character, this class will focus on the latter. It will explore principles and practices for healthy character growth as the bedrock of healthy influence for Christ. As one component of the course, students will complete the Grip-Birkman Blueprint, an inventory to help persons assess and develop their spiritual gifts. The course instructor is trained in interpreting the GBB.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: To serve in the role of pastor is to lead. A strong sense of one’s character and commitment to character growth will contribute to clergy excellence in leadership. This course aims to provide that.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who pass this course will have demonstrated that they have 1) reflected upon and begun to construct their own theology of Sanctification (disciple formation); 2) thought theologically about the act and styles of leadership (the influence of a disciple); 3) grappled with the subtle character temptations in pastoral ministry today; 4) gained deeper understanding of themselves, leading to a clearer and more specific understanding of God’s call on them; 5) explored healthy practices for character growth (fostering Christian discipleship), like spiritual disciplines and mentoring, and built a “Rule of Life” for their own character growth over the next 12 months; 6) begun to consider how to develop leaders through character growth (formation of disciples in the context of Christian community).

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet Thursday evenings, 6-9:30, over 9 weeks. This class includes a wide variety of pedagogical styles like short lectures, class discussion, peer learning in triads for application, case studies, triad team assignments, participation in threaded discussions, workbook reading with specific reflection assignments, sermon writing, book review, and a major paper including one’s own mission statement and “Life Rule.”

REQUIRED READING:

Collins, Jim. How The Mighty Fall. New York: Jim Collins, 2009. ISBN: 978-0977326419; $16.31. (182 pp.)

Cormode, Scott. Making Spiritual Sense: Christian Leaders as Spiritual Interpreters. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0687492237 ; $11.00. (139 p.)

Kärkkäinen, Velli-Matti. William A. Dyrness, Francisco Martinez and Simon Chan. Global Dictionary of Theology.

Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008. ISBN: 978-0830824540; $33:75. (relevant pages on sanctification)

Haley Barton, Ruth. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry, Downers Grove, IL: IVP books, 2008. ISBN: 978-0830835133; $12.25. (228 p.)

Hart, Arichibald. Thrilled to Death: how the endless pursuit of pleasure is leaving us numb. ISBN: 978-0849918520; $10.20. (254 p.)

Johnson, Mike, Don Watt and AL team, Charting Your Course and Your Self: a unit of ten modules around self-understanding. [sale through Ascending Leaders] (391 pages)

Students will also be required to purchase and take the Grip Birkman Blueprint assessment ($89)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Anderson, Keith R. and Randy D. Reese. Spiritual Mentoring: a guide for seeking and giving direction. Downers Grove, IVP Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0830822102; $10.25.

Blackaby, Henry. Spiritual Leadership. B & H Books, 2001. ISBN: 978-0805418453; $13.75.

Clinton, J. Robert. Conclusions on Leadership Style. Barnabas Publishers, 1986. ISBN 978-1932814194; $8.00.

Clinton, Robert and Paul D. Stanley. Connecting: the mentoring relationships you need to succeed. NavPress, 1992. ISBN: 978-3909131020; $10.25.

Cloud, Henry and John Townsend, How People Grow: what the Bible reveals about personal growth. Zondervan, 2002. ISBN: 978-0310245698;; $10.50.

Harney, Kevin G., Leadership from the Inside Out. Zondervan, 2007. ISBN: 978-0310259435; $13.00.

Herrington, Jim, R. Robert Creech and Trisha Taylor, The Leaders Journey: accepting the call to personal and congregational transformation. Jossey-Bass, 2003. ISBN: 978-0787962661; $16.50.

Johnson, Mike and AL team. Listening Prayer. [sale through Ascending Leaders]

Palmer, Parker , Let Your Life Speak: Listening to the Voice of Vocation. Jossey-Bass, 2000. ISBN: 978-

0787947354; $13.00.

Peterson , Eugene, Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration in Vocational Holiness. Eerdmans Publishing,

1994. ISBN: 978-0802808486; $13.00.

Watt, Don and AL team. Dream Teams: People. [Ascending Leaders]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1) Regular attendance and participation in all aspects of the course. (pass-fail)

2) At least five entries in threaded discussions during the course or face-to-face. (pass-fail)

3) A 5 page book review of any two of the books from the required reading. 10%

4) An 8 page personal essay reflecting on a passage of Scripture relating to the theology of sanctification and its application, interacting with the assigned reading from a systematic theology and one other of the assigned books. 30%

5) A 12-17 page final application paper addressing each of the six learning outcomes and articulating how this has affected your thinking about, attitude toward, perspective on and/or planned actions regarding the objective. This will include a journal you have been recording during the class of favorite quotes, ideas, art, discussion or reading has spawned or potential future applications in ministry, along with reflections on the implications of your Grip Birkman Blueprint report for character and leadership. The student will need to show explicit interaction with all the assigned reading. 60%

Note: While not graded #1 and 2 are also requirements and will negatively affect the final grade if not fulfilled or minimally fulfilled.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MACL leadership core. Elective in masters programs.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.