DESCRIPTION: The focus of this course is the theology, philosophy, and practice of Christian leadership. Issues discussed include the meaning of being a Christian leader; how to develop a volunteer leadership program; the necessity for encouraging people in their giftedness; and how to lead, equip, evaluate, and best utilize interns and paid staff.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have (1) assessed and further developed their personal theology of Christian leadership; (2) interacted with the leadership principles of diverse authors; (3) integrated various leadership principles into the practice of youth ministry; (4) developed a complete volunteer leadership program for a large church; (5) considered the issues surrounding student leadership; and (6) gained an understanding of how to structure a ministry organization.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The New Testament makes clear that leadership is the recognition that God works through every individual as their gifts are encouraged and exercised. 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.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions that will consist of lecture and class discussion, based upon topics selected from the assigned weekly reading.

REQUIRED READING:

DePree, Max. Leadership is an Art. Dell Books, 1989.

Kouzes, James and Barry Posner. The Leadership Challenge. Jossey-Bass, 1995.

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

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

Reed, B., J. F. Westfall, and J. Maxwell. Building Strong People: How to Lead Effectively, Baker, 1997.

Sample, Steven. The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership. Jossey-Bass, 2002.

Banks, R. and B. M. Ledbetter. Reviewing Leadership: A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches. Baker Academic, 2004.

Bennis, W. and B. Nanus. Leaders: Strategies for Taking Charge. Harper Business, 1997.

Collins, J. Good to Great. HarperCollins, 2001.

Houston, J. The Mentored Life. NavPress, 2002.

McLuen, D. and C. Wysong. Student Leadership Training Manual for Youth Workers. Youth Specialties/Zondervan, 2001.

McNeal, R. A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders. Jossey-Bass, 2000.

Olson, G. and M. Work. Youth Ministry Management Tools. Youth Specialties/Zondervan, 2001.

Parks, S. D. Big Questions, Worthy Dreams: Mentoring Young Adults in Their Search for Meaning, Purpose and Faith. Jossey-Bass, 2000.

Powell, K. and H. Flies. Help! I'm a Woman in Youth Ministry. Youth Specialties/Zondervan, 2004.