Course: BIB421, Church Organizational and Leadership Dynamics
Credit hours: 3 hours
Instructor: Robert J. Young
Semester: Fall, 2000
Prerequisites: Bible program admission or permission

• Armour and Browning, Systems-Sensitive Leadership
  
• Fair, Leadership in the Kingdom
  
• Church Growth and Leadership packet handouts

Student Expectations
[Student expectations are set forth in the catalog. This section clarifies matters addressed therein as they pertain to this class.]
Attendance
The school attendance policy will be followed. Students whose unexcused absences exceed one week of class will be dropped. Students dropped are required to meet with the professor and submit their plan for maintaining attendance in the class before reinstatement. Unexcused absences will lower the student's final grade up to ½ a grade point for each absence. Excused absences are available only through contact with the instructor the day class is missed or in advance. Students are responsible for consulting with the instructor when absent. The student is responsible for obtaining and completing all assignments.
Classroom Conduct
Students must arrive at class on time. (See catalog.) A student who must arrive at class late is expected to enter class without being disruptive and wait until after class to explain the reason for his or her tardiness. Three tardies count as one absence for purposes of administering the attendance policy.
Late Assignments
Homework must be turned in on time or early. Late work may be turned in one class period late, but will be penalized up to 10%. Makeup examinations are not available in this class.
Withdrawal Procedure
Class withdrawal procedures are set forth in the catalog and must be followed. The student must initiate an official process. Non-attendance does not constitute official withdraw. The student who neither attends nor drops the class will receive an "F" grade for the semester.

Goals and Objectives

1. The student will understand the biblical qualifications and work of elders, deacons, and preachers.
2. The student will be able to make personal applications in understanding the roles, duties, and functions of the preacher and other church leaders.
3. The student may expect some exposure to and acquaintance with systems and personality theories.
4. The study will be able to employ systems approaches to understand groups and organizations, and will understand organizational dynamics and change as applied to the church as a dynamic organization of people in need of leadership to reach full potential and power.
5. The student will understand the application and use of cultural emphases such as empowerment, team-building, and personality as they complement and assist the application of biblical leadership principles.
6. The student will gain a greater appreciation of the interaction between church leaders with a focus on facilitating a healthy organizational dynamic and understanding the process of organizational change.
7. The student will understand church growth as a natural process which occurs as part of a healthy church dynamic.
8. The student will read broadly enough to develop an initial annotated bibliography of relevant materials in the OVC library, and to have reasonable awareness of the dynamics of church leadership.

Criteria for Evaluation
The successful student will master all course objectives to some degree. The successful student will cooperate with the professor in a mutually stimulating and exciting learning experience. Evaluation will be based upon mastery of these goals and objectives as reflected in class participation, quizzes, homework and examinations.

Class Requirements:
Course Assignments Grid

1. Due at the end of the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th weeks (Sept. 15, Oct. 6, 27, Nov. 17)--a book report on one of the books in the bibliography with personal reflection. Students may substitute a book from the recommended list.
2. Due November 6, a case study research paper applying at least one of the principles of organizational dynamics or organizational change covered in this class to the subject of healthy churches and church growth.
3. Mastery of the content of the texts and in class presentations, handouts, and discussion, to be demonstrated on examinations.
4. An interview with the preacher or other church leader of a growing church. The church chosen must be approved by the professor. The content of the interview report will be outlined in class. Interview is due November 17.
5. A bibliography (25 item minimum) of relevant materials in the OVC library, due September 29.

Evaluation

	200  	4 book reports with reflection

	200	Case study research report

	100	Interview report

	100	Bibliography

	200	Mid-term Exam

	200	FINAL

	1000	Total

Grading Scale [% of possible points]

	A	93-100%

	B	85-92% 

	C	75-84%

	D	65-77%

	F	<65%

Note: This syllabus is an agreement between the student and the instructor of BIBLE 421. The professor reserves the right to amend any or all of this syllabus as he deems necessary during the course of the semester, and will promptly notify all students involved of the changes.

Biblical perspectives
study of church leadership roles
study of evangelist, minister, preacher role
Individual understandings
Understanding self, personality theory
Interpersonal relationships
Communication
Leadership styles
Group Process
Congregation as Organization and System
System approaches to organizational understanding
Understanding groups, and organizations
Organizational culture and dynamics
Organizational change
The nature of change
Facilitating change
Leadership and Power
Undergirding Leadership with Biblical principles
Toward a Biblical model of leadership
Network Theory
Team theory, cohesion enhancement
Conflict management
Organizing
Evaluating with accountability
Planning
Supporting studies
Congregational studies
Case studies

Study of church leadership roles

Bales
Hodge, My Elders
Lewis, Leadership Questions Confronting the Church
Smith, Fallen Shepherds
Taylor, Elder and His Work
Yeakley, Church Leadership and Organization

Study of evangelist, minister, preacher role

Browning, et.al, Education of the Practical Theologian
Hodge, My Preacher
Fletcher, Religious Authenticity in the Clergy
Kennedy, Seven Worlds of the Minister
Oden, Pastoral Theology
Myers, Preacher and His Work
"Preaching"
Thielecke, A Little Exercise for Young Theologians

Understanding self, personality theory, interpersonal relationships, communication, leadership styles

Armour & Browning, Systems-Sensitive Leadership
Thomas & Thomas, Bi-Polar
Voges & Braund, Understanding how others misunderstand you

Group Process

Congregation as Organization and System

Carroll, Dudley, & McKinney, Handbook for Congregational Studies
Conrad, Strategic Organizational Communication
Friedman, Generation to Generation
Parsons and Leas, Understanding your congregation as a system

Organizational culture, dynamics, change

Anderson, Navigating the Winds of Change
Bridges, Managing Transitions
North, Balance

Leadership and Power, Biblical principles, Network Theory, Team theory, Conflict management, Organizing, Evaluating with accountability

Benis & Nanus, Leaders
Covey, Principle-Centered Leadership
Covey, Seven Habits
Ellas, Church Growth Through Groups
Francis and Young, Improving Work Groups
Hendrix, Management for the Christian Leader
Hocker & Wilmot, Interpersonal Conflict
Leas, Moving Your Church Through Conflict
Parker, Team Flayers
Young, Building Cohesion

Planning and Church Growth

Callahan, Twelve Keys
Callahan, Effective Church Leadership
Chandler, Racing Toward 2001
Dale, To Dream Again
Ellas, Clear Choices
Mead, The Once and Future Church
Mead, More Than Numbers
Migliore, Strategic Planning
Saarinin, Life Cycle of a congregation
Wagner, Strategies for Church Growth

Congregational and case studies