Courses

Defining effective leadership in ministry is ever evolving as contexts and expectations constantly change. However, are there critical/foundational perspectives that define Christian ministry? Further, how do we identify and define what the critical understandings of ministry leadership are in our own ministry context? Also, how do foundational perspectives and contextual issues inform one another? This course will address the need to understand the foundational and contextual issues that inform effective ministry leadership. By understanding historical models as well as reflecting on our own contextual challenges the course will explore ways in which we can develop an understanding of what it means to lead effectively in the particular ministry context that we find ourselves in.

Knowing

1. Upon completion of this course students will be able to articulate a basic understanding of key church leadership competencies for contemporary ministry.

2. Upon completion of this course students will be able to explain the inevitable contextual nature of ministry, both locally and globally, and how the work of ministry is to respond to and work within a particular context.
3. Upon completion of this course students will develop a deeper understanding of specific challenges in contemporary ministry and how reflective leadership is crucial to addressing these challenges.

Being

1. Upon completion of this course students will have the opportunity to evaluate their own cultural situatedness and describe how their own understanding of the world is influenced by it.
2. Upon completion of this course students will have gained insight into how their work in ministry is a response to the questions and needs of their time and context and how living into this reality is part of the ministerial calling.

Doing

1. Upon completion of this course students will develop their ability to present their ideas to a group of peers and assess critical feedback they receive from that group.
2. Upon completion of this course students will be able to identify specific cultural and contextual issues that affect their practice of ministry and develop effective responses to them.