COURSE NUMBER: LEAD 697
COURSE TITLE: Resilient Leadership: Facing the 21st C. Challenges of Leadership
PROFESSOR: Major General Bob Dees, U.S. Army, Retired
PHONE NUMBER: 202-468-9208
E-MAIL: mgdees@liberty.edu
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will examine in depth a biblical model for resilient leadership in the 21st Century,
introducing key characteristics and competencies which allow leaders to set the conditions
for successful performance, to lead through inevitable crises along the way, and to help
organizations and others rebound from downturns to an even brighter future. As well, the
course addresses how resilient leaders stand the test of time, avoiding burnout and
establishing essential disciplines of replenishment.
II.
RATIONALE
The crisis of leadership in churches, ministries, and organizations across America indicates a
critical shortage of ready and resilient leaders who are prepared to face the daunting
challenges of the 21st Century. Resilient leadership, defined as selfless service over time
from a platform of character and competence, enables individuals and organizations to reach
their full God-given potential and calling, helping them navigate the many challenges and
opportunities along the way. This course equips individuals for success as 21st Century
resilient leaders who are grounded and empowered by a biblical theology of Christian
leadership.
III.
PREREQUISITES
None
IV.
MATERIALS LIST
Barton, Ruth Haley. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the
Crucible of Ministry. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008. (228 pages)
Burns, Bob, Tasha D. Chapman, and Donald C. Guthrie. Resilient Ministry: What Pastors
Told Us About Surviving and Thriving. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2013.
(313 pages).
Dees, Robert F. Resilient Leaders. San Diego: Creative Team Publishing, 2013. (372 pages)
Lawrenz, Mel. Spiritual Influence. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012. (219 pages)
Schaeffer, Edith. Affliction: A Compassionate Look at the Reality of Pain and Suffering.
Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1993. (250 pages)
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V.
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will be able to:
1. Articulate a biblical theology of suffering relevant to the challenges facing
leaders.
2. Explain the foundational concepts relating to resilient leadership (i.e.
comprehensive leader fitness, personal holiness and discipline, and the
foundational character traits for long term leadership success.)
3. Identify key means for a leader to set conditions for successful performance in
individual followers and organizations.
4. Prepare a resilient leadership plan in which they will relate how they will lead
when confronted with crisis or trauma.
5. Construct a plan for guiding one’s ministry organization toward resilientpreparedness.
6. Synthesize a biblical theology of leadership resiliency using current scholarly
standards and practices along with course materials, theories, assumptions, and
issues.
VI.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
ASSIGNMENTS
Pre-Course Assignments
Book Reviews (5)
Students will complete five book reviews before coming to class on the first
day of class. These reviews will be 2-3 pages in length each. They are not to
exceed 4 pages in length. You will review the following texts for this portion
of the assignment: (Each review will be worth 100 points).
 Barton – Strengthening the Soul
 Burns et al., - Resilient Ministry
 Schaeffer - Affliction
 Dees – Resilient Leaders
 Lawrenz – Spiritual Influence
During Course Assignments
Ministry Organization Plan (100 points)
On Monday of the Intensive students will be assigned to work in groups of 2-3
(hopefully with a similar ministry focus and need). They will then create a
plan for guiding one’s ministry organization toward resiliency preparation.
This assignment will be submitted via PowerPoint and presented by the group
to their peers on Friday AM during class.
Theology of Suffering Paper (100 points)
Students will write a 5-6 page paper on a theology of suffering including the
following sections: The Reality of Evil, Biblical Foundations and Role
Models of Suffering, Common Misconceptions regarding Suffering, and How
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to Lead and Minister to Others in Pain. This assignment is due by Friday, the
final day of class by Midnight.
Post-Course Assignments
Resilient Leadership Plan (100 points)
This plan will be more personalized than the ministry organization plan, but
will include how the student as a person and leader will prepare themselves
for resiliency in their own leadership endeavors. This will be more of an
introspective paper and should be focused on personal application of the
course material. This should be an 8-10 page paper.
Biblical Theology of Leadership Resiliency Paper (150 points)
Students will submit a 10-12 page paper integrating course material and
additional research into a biblical theology of leadership resiliency. This
research should include the following sections: The Reality of Tribulation,
The Necessity for Resilience, Biblical Foundations for Resilience, Biblical
Role Models of Resilient Leaders and Caregivers, Leading Others in the
Before, During, and After Phases of Resilient Behavior, and Leader Self-Care
The paper should follow proper Turabian formatting.
Final Reading Summary (50 points)
Students will provide a 1-2 page statement affirming that they completed all
reading assigned for this class. In this summary they will also list which books
were the most helpful in leadership preparation (include why they were
helpful) and the books least helpful (if any – including why they were least
helpful).
B.
SCALE
940-1000
920-939
900-929
860–899
840–859
820–839
780–819
760–779
740–759
700–739
680–699
BELOW 679
VII.
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
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LEAD 997
Students are simply expected to attend class, prepared to actively discuss lesson content
and engage in group and individual exercises.
VIII.
IX.
OTHER POLICIES
A.
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct is strictly prohibited. See The Graduate Catalog for
specific definitions, penalties, and processes for reporting.
B.
Disability Statement
Students with a documented disability may contact the Office of Disability
Academic Support (ODAS) in Green Hall 2668 to arrange for academic
accommodations. For all disability test accommodation requests (i.e. quieter
environment, extended time, oral testing, etc.) the Tutoring/Testing Center is the
officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular
classroom.
C.
Drop/Add Policy
Consult the Graduate Catalog for drop/add policies.
D.
Dress Code (applies to classes meeting on campus)
Students are expected to maintain a neat, professional appearance while in class.
Students are expected to come to class dressed in a manner consistent with The
Liberty Way. Students not in dress code will not be allowed to sit in the class. If
work hardships are present, they must be approved before class by the instructor.
CALENDAR
Due Date
PRE-Course Reading
Dees – Resilient Leaders
Burns et al., - Resilient Ministry
Barton – Strengthening the Soul
Lawrenz – Spiritual Influence
Schaeffer - Affliction
Corresponding Assignment
Book Review due on Bb
Book Review due on Bb
Book Review due on Bb
Book Review due on Bb
Book Review due on Bb
Day
Mon AM
Mon PM
Lecture Topic
Life and Leadership: Contact Sports
Biblical Construct for Leadership
Reading/Assignment
Affliction
Resilient Leaders, Ch 1
Tues AM
Character: Essential and Preeminent
Tues PM
Wisdom: Bridge between Character
and Competence
Competence: Preparation (BEFORE)
Competence: In Extremis (DURING)
Resilient Leaders, Ch 2,3
Spiritual Influence
Resilient Leaders, Ch 4
Wed AM
Wed PM
Resilient Leaders, Ch 5
Resilient Leaders, Ch 6
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LEAD 997
Thur AM
Competence: Rising Again (AFTER)
Thur PM
Leader Self-Care
Fri AM
Ministry Organization Plan
Presentations
Dismiss Early
Fri PM
Due Date
POST-Course Reading
Any additional reading necessary for
your post course assignments.
Resilient Leaders, Ch 7
Resilient Ministry
Resilient Leaders, Ch 8, 9, App 1
Strengthening the Soul of Your
Leadership
Submit presentation to professor
via Bb for grades/feedback.
Submit Theology of Suffering
Paper to Bb by Midnight
Corresponding Assignment
Resilient Leadership Plan
Biblical Theology of Leadership
Resiliency
Final Reading Summary
Additional Bibliography Recommendations
Boa, Kenneth. Conformed to His Image: Biblical and Practical Approaches to Spiritual
Formation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.
Dees, Robert F. Resilient Warriors. San Diego: Creative Team Publishing, 2011.
Duesing, Jason G. Ed. Adoniram Judson: A Bicentennial Appreciation of the Pioneer
American Missionary. Nashville: B&H, 2012.
Echols, Steve and Allen England. Catastrophic Crisis: Ministry Leadership in the Midst
of Trial and Tragedy. Nashville: B&H, 2011.
Edwards, Jonathan. The Diary & Journal of David Brainerd. Carlisle: Banner of Truth
Trust, 2007.
Jindal, Bobby. Leadership and Crisis. Washington DC: Regenery, 2010.
Mexaxas, Eric. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
2010.
________. Seven Men: And the Secret of their Greatness. Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
2013.
McCullough, David. Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a
Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child who became Theodore Roosevelt.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 1982.
Mitchell, Mark S. Portrait of Integrity: The Life of Ray C. Stedman. Grand Rapids:
Discovery House Publishers, 2004.
Pue, Carson. Mentoring Leaders: Wisdom for Developing Character, Calling, and
Competency. Grand Rapids, Baker, 2005.
Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer.
Chicago: Moody, 1994.
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