Plainview Campus
SCHOOL OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
Wayland Mission Statement
Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an academically challenging, learning-focused and
distinctively Christian environment for professional success and service to God and humankind.
RLED – 4304
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
WINTER 2015 VC01
Professor: Clinton W. Lowin, Ed.D. / Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy / Director of Ministry
Guidance / Director of Assessment and Effectiveness / office (806) 296-1165 / email: lowinc@wbu.edu
Instructor Information
 Phone: 806-291-1165 (office)
 Email: lowinc@wbu.edu
 Office Hours: MWF (8:00am – 9:50am, 12:20pm-1:35pm); W (8:00am – 9:15am); T (1:35 – 3:00pm)
 Office Location: Flores Bible Building Office Complex
Class Time and Location: Virtual Campus
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
A critical examination of contemporary leadership theory, principles, and practices in the light of
biblically-based models and criteria for Christian leadership.
PREREQUISITE
 RLGN 1301 and RLGN 1302
RESOURCES
Required Text
Crouch, Andy. 2008. Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling. Downers Grove, IL:
Intervarsity Press.
Kouzes, James M., and Barry Z. Posner. 2012. The Leadership Challenge: How to Make
Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations, 5th Ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Malphurs, Aubrey. 2003. Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership. Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group.
Roxburgh, Alan J., and Fred Romanuk. 2006. The Missional Leader: Equipping Your
Church to Reach a Changing World. San Francisco, CA: Wiley Imprint.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs):
The course is designed to be highly interactive in the exploration of contemporary leadership principles
in the light of biblical models and criteria for Christian leadership in ministry and mission. As a student
involved in this discovery learning process you will be able to:
1
A. Formulate a biblical philosophy of management and leadership practice applicable in the context
of contemporary culture.
B. Identify principles of the character and competencies necessary to be an authentic servant leader.
C. Express the knowledge and skill sets necessary to lead individuals, teams, and organizations.
D. Design, develop, and build a strategy for a ministry model that will reflect the biblical mandate.
PARTICIPATION
 The course will meet via Blackboard to engage in discussions and learning task of the assigned
reading and projects for that week. Students are expected to have read the assigned materials to be
involved in the online learning environment. Students will be expected to facilitate and engage in
these discussions around papers and projects that are assigned to them.
DISABILITY STATEMENT
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is the policy of Wayland Baptist
University that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any education program or activity in the university. The
Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as the coordinator of students with a disability and should be
contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806) 291-3765. Documentation of a disability must
accompany any request for accommodations.
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty: Writing is a collaborative art. Working out ideas for your paper with an
instructor, writing tutor, classmate, family member, or friend is encouraged not only for this class, but also for other
classes that involve writing. Discussion and collaborative brainstorming are good. However, passing off another's writing
or ideas as your own is plagiarism. It is unethical, it constitutes Academic Dishonesty (cheating), and it is sufficient
grounds both for failure of a course and suspension from the university. For more information, see
http://www.wbu.edu/academics/schools/religion_and_philosophy/
student_help/documents/StatementonPlagiarismandAcademicDishonesty.pdf
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. Learning Activity -- Online Discussion – 200 pts. (ongoing) slo 1, 2, 3, 4
All students are required to check the discussion group postings frequently and participate consistently in the
discussion. Students should expect to read the discussions several times each week and post substantive response
at least twice each week. Students who do not post substantive responses at least twice each week will not be
credited with the 200 points for this assignment.
Guided questions will be posted online to facilitate our discussions. The professor will post the first question to
begin the dialogue, and then moderate the discussion. Additional questions for discussion will be added as the
dialogue unfolds. All students are required to check the discussion group postings frequently and participate
consistently in the discussion.
Note: This is discussion. Please do not just answer the question. As the participants post responses make sure to
engage in critical reflection and response. What issues are present? What other questions should be considered?
What else needs further exploration?
B. Foundational Research Assignment – Theological and Philosophical Vision for CHRISTIAN
LEADERSHIP– 250 points slo1, 2
Upload to Blackboard. Your paper will be the basis for discussion during the Theological assumptions and
Philosophical presumptions section of the discussion seminar and will be revised based upon interaction with the
classroom cohort. Paper format and subject described below:
2
Create a paper on the theological and philosophical assumptions that form the basis of the praxis (theory and
practice) of CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP in organizational leadership. Although this paper is a synopsis of your
beliefs and thoughts you must include references that substantiate and/or challenge your positions from the
course readings and any other research you conduct into the subject matter. Papers without substantial
footnotes and a bibliography will be given back for correction without a grade.
The paper intends to assist you in making explicit connections and correlations between your theological
understandings and praxis of Christian Leadership in various roles. The implications of your personal theology
and philosophy are being explored in this work and discussed in the in class forums.
The paper will be graded on the basis of the clarity and conciseness of the stated position, and thus must
be no more than 9 pages in length, excluding the reference list. This is a research paper, no first person should
be utilized.
Your paper should be organized in the following structure:
Part One: Biblical Leadership
a. What makes leadership Biblical?
b. Explore Biblical character models (i.e. Joshua) which illustrate Biblical leadership. Identify and explain
principles that illustrate leadership from the Biblical characters
Part Two: Defining Leadership
a. Utilize the course textbooks and other precedent literature to explore various leadership definitions. Ask the
following questions of the literature: What was the author’s thesis or purpose for writing the book? What
leadership theories are evident in the assumptions of this writer? How does this book help me translate theory into leadership
practice in ministry communities?
b. State a philosophy of leadership through a critical analysis of the research literature/biblical sources.
c. After stating a philosophy, compare (find similarities) and contrast (show differences) your positions with
the views on leadership and management in the required course readings and your additional research in other
precedent literature.
Part Three: Principles of Leadership
a. Foundational Principles Leaders: Calling and Character (What makes a leader?)
b. Functional Principles Leaders: Capacity and Competencies (What do leaders do?)
Conclusion
C. Ongoing Research -- Weekly reading/journal question guide – 250pts (slo 2)
The professor will provide a reading guide with questions to enable you to record your thoughts in a
leadership journal. The journal will be evaluated formally utilizing a formative assessment and
summative assessment as indicated below. In addition, the professor will evaluate on occasion in random
fashion to observe the student’s progress on the reading/journal process.
D. Advanced Research – Serviceable Insight Project 250 pts slo 4
Serviceable Insight: Education at Wayland Baptist University within the School of Religion and
Philosophy is not pursued for its own sake nor for its civilizing qualities nor for the strictly pragmatic
purposes of vocational instruction, but to provide insight and develop talents that will sustain lifelong
responsible service in God’s kingdom. The knowledge, competencies, and commitments gained
through the educational process aim to prepare students to live thankful lives before the Lord; to serve
others with integrity, in common everyday activities as well as in specific vocations; and to unfold
and care for creation.
3
Assignment: Utilize Andy Crouch’s book, Culture Making: Recovering our Creative Calling as a
rationale to design, develop, build, and implement a strategy for a ministry model that will reflect the
Biblical cultural Mandate and accomplish serviceable insight for the Kingdom of God within an
organization(s).
It is imperative that you read the book first. In essence you are creating a “new culture.”
“So if we seek to change culture, we will have to create something new, something that will persuade our
neighbors to set aside some existing set of cultural goods for our new proposal.” (pg. 67)
Culture is what we make of the world – we start not with a blank slate but with all the richly encultured world
that previous generations have handed to us.” (pg. 73)
E. Exams
Mid-term
Final
100 pts.
100 pts.
Course Evaluation (Method of Determining Grade)
University Grading System
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
D
60-69
F
BELOW 60
I
INCOMPLETE**
Cr
FOR CREDIT
NCr
NO CREDIT
WP
WITHDRAWAL PASSING
WF
WITHDRAWAL FAILING
W
WITHDRAWAL
**A grade of incomplete is changed if the deficiency is made up by midterm of the next regular
semester; otherwise, it becomes "F". This grade is given only if circumstances beyond the
student's control prevented completion of work during the semester enrolled and attendance
requirements have been met. A grade of "CR" indicates that credit in semester hours was
granted but no grade or grade points were recorded.
Procedure for computations of final grade
1. Attendance and Participation
2. Weekly reading/journal question guide
a. Random (50 pts)
b. Formative (100 pts)
c. Summative (100 pts)
3. Theological and Philosophy Paper
4. Serviceable Insight Project
5. Exams
200 pts
250 pts.
250 pts.
250 pts.
200 pts.
Total 1150 pts Potential points
Actual points divided by total potential points = final grade
Students shall have protection through orderly procedures against prejudices or capricious academic
evaluation. A student who believes that he or she has not been held to realistic academic standards,
just evaluation procedures, or appropriate grading, may appeal the final grade given in the course by
using the student grade appeal process described in the Academic Catalog. Appeals may not be
made for advanced placement examinations or course bypass examinations. Appeals are limited
to the final course grade, which may be upheld, raised, or lowered at any stage of the appeal process.
Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be submitted through the Executive Vice
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President/Provost to the Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval. The
Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee may instruct that the course grade be upheld, raised, or
lowered to a more proper evaluation.
Academic Honesty (Plagiarism): University students are expected to conduct themselves according to the highest
standards of academic honesty. Academic misconduct for which a student is subject to penalty includes all forms of
cheating, such as illicit possession of examinations or examination materials, forgery, or plagiarism. Plagiarism is the
presentation pf the work of another as one’s own work. It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with penalties
associates with plagiarism stated in the catalog.
CURRICULAR CONTEXT
This course is required of all students as part of the CORE Religion Majors curriculum. Majors choose to fulfill three hours from:
RLED 4301 Survey of Christian Education or RLED 4302 Church Administration. The RLED 4304 Christian Leadership class will serve as a
replacement for RLED 4302.
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RLED 4304 Christian Leadership
Date
Topics
Reading Assignments & Discussion Questions
Assignments
Due
INTRODUCTION
Week #1
Nov. 9
COURSE
INTRODUCTION:
Syllabus,
assignments, and
class introduction
In Class, In Community,
In Context: Symbiotic
Learning Environments
Leadership defined
vs. Christian
Leadership defined
Who will you
follow? How will
you lead?
Malphurs, pp. 9-30
Read Malphurs Appendix B and C
Take the Christian Leader Audit Appendix A: p. 173
Article: Goleman, What Makes a Leader?
Leadership
Journal #1:
What Makes a
Leader? –
Reading/Journal
Questions for
Session 1
FOUNDATION – BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION
FOR LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Week #2
A special focus on the doctrine of missional ecclesiology, as it relates to the Kingdom of God and its application to Ministry. The core
theological and epistemological components of missional ecclesiology are an amalgamation of the missio Dei (the mission of God) with
ecclesiology (the nature of the church) which invites the church as a whole to join in God’s redemptive mission as a witness, sign, and
foretaste of the Kingdom of God. This model for leadership development directs “energy to forming a witnessing community that
learns to experiment with fresh ways of being God’s sign, witness, and foretaste of the kingdom in their multiple contexts.
Nov 16
A Framework for
Ministry
LEADERSHIP:
Kingdom, Church, and
World
Handout: Biblical and Theological Foundation for Mission
Telos of
Leadership:
Serviceable Insight
through Culture
Making Creational and
Cultural Mandate
Missional
Leadership:
Enabling a
Community to God’s
Mission
Roxburgh and Romanuk, pp. 111-141
Handout: Kirk pp. 23-37
Roxburgh and Romanuk, pp. 3-35
6
Leadership
Journal #2 –
Reading/Journal
Session 2Missional
Leader
MODULE ONE - CHARACTER AND CAPACITY OF LEADERSHIP
Week #3
Using the Life of Abraham, Moses, King David, and Josiah as templates for leadership strengths and stresses, this portion will examine
the pivotal issues that leaders face as they try to balance personal lives with public lives, personal convictions and values with the
demands of their position. Included in this study are topics such as the leader’s call and competencies, preparation and life-long
learning habits, critical values and choices, and common stumbling blocks.
Nov 23
Abraham – Moses –
Jesus Servant
Leadership
David – Josiah
Credibility and
Trust
Crouch, pp. 9-36
Malphurs, pp. 31-48
Take the Servant Leader Audit Appendix D
Malphurs, pp. 49-71
Reflect and Write your response to the 13 questions on pp. 69-71
Take the Credibility Audit Appendix E
Chapter 3
Questions for
Leadership
Journal #3 –
Leadership
Characteristics
MODULE TWO – CHARACTER: CONCEPTS OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP
Week #4
Nov 30
The servant-leader is servant-first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice
brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader-first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an
unusual power drive or to acquire material
Possessions. The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of
the infinite variety of human nature.
Article: Robert Greenleaf, The Servant as Leader
Servant Leader First:
Leadership
Jesus’ Model
Reading Journal
Crouch, pp. 37-100
#4 – Servant
First
Article: Level 5 Leadership: Collins, Jim. 2001. Good to Great.
Humility and Will in
Leadership
Leadership Failure: Article: Roderick Kramer – The Harder they Fall
Why?
MODULE THREE - CAPACITY: WHAT MAKES A LEADER
Week #5
Dec. 7
A comparison and contrast of leadership styles, the identification of the student’s personal leadership style, and effectiveness with
various groups of men, women, children, and youth.
Transactional
Malphurs, pp. 73-90
Leadership vs.
Lowin, Organizational Behavior Notes
Transformational
Take the Spiritual Gifts Inventory Appendix F
Leadership
Take the Natural Gifts Inventory Appendix G
Metaphors: Jungle;
Maintenance vs.
Ministry;
Leadership Frames—
Behavioral Theory
Leadership Frames –
Trait Theory
Leadership Frames—
Power and Influence
Theory
Leadership Frames Situational and
Contingency
Leadership Frames –
Humanist Theory
Lowin, Leadership and Management Theory Notes
Lowin, Leadership and Management Theory Notes
Malphurs, pp. 91-118
Leadership
Reading Journal
#5 –
Organizational
Behavior and the
Leader
Five Practices and Ten Behaviors of Leaders
Week #6
Dec. 14
The Leadership
Challenge
Malphurs pp. 119-130
Take the Relational Skills Inventory Appendix K
Take the Task Skills Inventory Appendix L
Interpersonal Relations - Leader-Follower Distance
The Leadership
Challenge
Emotional Intelligence/Social Intelligence – Daniel Goleman – What Makes a Leader?
The Leadership
Challenge
Communication in Leadership – Jay Conger – The Necessary Art of Persuasion
Kouzes and Posner, pp. 9-40
7
Theology and
Philosophy of
Christian
Leadership
Paper due
Week #7-8
Dec. 21Jan 1
Week #9
Jan. 4
Christmas
Break
No Class
Crouch, p. 101-186
The Leadership
Challenge
Kouzes and Posner pp. 41 - 98
Model the Way
1. Clarifying Values
2. Set the Example
The Leadership
Challenge
Inspire a Shared Vision
3. Envision the Future
4. Enlist Others
The Leadership
Challenge
Challenge the Process
5. Search for
Opportunities
6. Experiment and Take
Risks
Week #10
Jan 11
The Leadership
Challenge
Enable Others to Act
7. Foster Collaboration
8. Strengthen Others
The Leadership
Challenge
Leadership
Reading Journal
#6 – The
Leadership
Challenge
Kouzes and Posner pp. 99 - 144
Kouzes and Posner pp. 155 - 212
Kouzes and Posner pp. 213- 241
Kouzes and Posner pp. 271 - 328
Encourage the Heart
9. Recognize
Contributions
10. Celebrate the Values
and Victories
Leadership
Reading Journal
#7 – The
Leadership
Challenge
MODULE FOUR – SYSTEMS THINKING: Organizational Behavior
Week #11
An exploration of the issues involved in revitalizing a local church or Christian nonprofit organization, including elements
related to understanding the culture of organizations, situational leadership, casting vision, goal setting, developing volunteers,
and cultivating community.
Jan. 18
Organizational
Frames of Reference
and Leadership
within
Direction and
Movement of an
Organization
Lowin, Organizational Behavior Notes
Take Leadership Style Inventory Appendix M
Malphurs, pp. 131-156
Outline for
Serviceable
Insight Paper
Malphurs, pp. 157-172
Take Appendices “O” to “S”
Leadership
Reading Journal
#9 - Appendices
O, S
Consider Brafman, Ori., and Rod A. Beckstrom. 2006. The Starfish and the Spider: The
Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organization.
MODULE FIVE - LEADING CHANGE
Week #12
Module five and six: Study focus on the primary factors that impact change in local churches and business
organizations. Additional focal points will include basic organizational change theory and the leadership
dynamics needed to reduce conflict, and decrease organizational dysfunction.
Jan. 25
Moses to Joshua
Leading to the
Promise Land
Roxburgh and Romanuk, pp. 37-60
Bridges, William. 2003. Managing Transitions, Making the Most of Change.
8
Turn in your
Leadership
Journals for
Formative
Review
Eight Steps to
Transforming Your
Organization
Leading
Organizational
Change
Article Kotter: Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail
Leadership
Journal #10 Leading Change
Roxburgh and Romanuk, pp. 61-78
Article: Senge, The Leader’s New Work: Building Learning Organizations
VIDEO: Joel Barker – The Business of Paradigms
MODULE SIX – POWER AND CONFLICT
Week #13
Feb. 1
Missional Change
Model
Introduction to
Culture Making
Roxburgh and Romanuk, pp. 79-108
Crouch, pp. 187-263
The bases of Social
Power: Group
Dynamics
Reading: French, J.R.P. and B. Raven. 1968. The bases of
social power. Group Dynamics notes.
Leadership
Journal #11 Making Culture
within a Culture
MODULE SEVEN – ORGANIZING PEOPLE
Emphasis is placed on group dynamics, supervision, and development of other leaders.
Week #14
A study of principles necessary to recruit, equip, maintain, and motivate people in spiritual leadership
and development in organizations in a team setting. Included in the content will be biblical models of
equipping, recruiting, various models of equipping venues for leadership development, and a focus on
team building in the church or organization.
Feb. 8
Management
Essentials for
Christian Ministries
Advanced Strategic
Planning
Lowin, Administration Notes
Hoekstra, Leadership Basics Handout
Leadership
Journal #12 –
Organizing
People and
Tasks
Recruit, Equip,
Maintain, and
Motivate People –
The Means and
End
Feb. 12
Advanced
Research Paper
due: Serviceable
Insight Paper
Final Exam
REVISED
Theology and
Philosophy of
Christian
Leadership
Paper due
Summative
Review of
Leadership
Journal
9
10