Leadership for Mission and Ministry

Course Summary

This unit provides students with an opportunity to explore the nature and practice of Christian leadership, with particular reference to the opportunities and challenges encountered in leading Christian groups and organisations in the 21st century Australian context. The unit aims to deepen students’ capacity as informed, resilient and effective disciples and leaders, who are aware of their own strengths as a leader and areas for future development. Key content includes character formation and development, biblical models of leadership, leadership and culture, missional leadership, leading through conflict, leading teams and change, leading church/organisational business, and developing habits for the long haul of healthy leadership.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Evaluate key principles for leading Christian communities, drawing on the biblical text, Christian tradition, and contemporary scholarship.
  2. Evaluate their own engagement in leadership, identifying possible areas for growth and development.
  3. Critically apply Christian leadership concepts and principles to specific problems or issues encountered in contemporary mission and ministry contexts.
  4. Generate plans to develop leaders for ministry/mission settings.

Course Content

  1. An Introduction to Leadership, Mission, and Ministry
  2. Biblical Foundations of Leadership
  3. Theology of Mission and Ministry
  4. Leadership Styles, Stages and Personal Leadership Development
  5. Servant Leadership and the Importance of Character
  6. Missional Leadership
  7. Cultural Context and Leadership
  8. Conflict Resolution
  9. Vision Casting and Strategic Planning
  10. Building and Leading Empowered Teams
  11. Leading Effective Change
  12. Financial Stewardship and Resource Management
  13. Personal Development and Self-care for Leaders