Ministerial Leadership
Price
$800.00
Duration
8 Sesssions
About the Course
Ministerial Leadership
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This course lays the foundation for the effective practice of ministry and in particular, leadership within a congregation or other religious organization. It builds upon organizational culture theory as a means for interpreting dynamics of ministry settings, navigating roles, utilizing structures and processes, making decisions, engaging theology, visioning, forecasting and the assessment of the students overall leadership and personal skills.
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Students will further apply community and ministry organizational concepts and leadership strategies by spending a minimum total of 40 hours for the semester at an organizational, communal or church site. Course material will supplement field experiences. The Practicum includes the program measure for the M. Div. Degree Middler Assessment on leadership development, and complements ICAM 834.
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Student Learning Outcomes: (By the end of the course, students will be able to:)
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Identify both his or her leadership skills and management characteristics. This will be measured through written assessments, and empirical observations of leadership practices, the Middler Assessment Matrix (peer review assessments, supervisorial assessments), and ministerial outcome measurements.
State, discuss and further clarify the purpose of their seminary journey and clearly define their vocational intent once seminary is completed. Measurements will come from evaluations based upon the student’s choice of field experiences.
Use specific discussion topics and discussion roles with peers that describe relevant models of leadership development for parish, denominational, and community leadership.
Compare tools of leadership that are undergirded by biblical and theological principles that will promote and demonstrate transformational leadership within the church and its community.
Engage the course materials from ICAM 834 (Elements of Ministry) in practicum for the further development of leadership skills, personal growth and development as well as personal assessment.
Your Instructor
Dr. Mark Thompson
Reverend Doctor Mark W. Thompson, M.Div., D.Min.
Rev. Dr. Thompson is a seasoned Pastor for over thirty (30) years, and a Seminary Adjunct Professor for over sixteen (16) years. Doctor Thompson earned his Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, with a concentration in The Psychology of Pastoral Care and Counseling. Dr. Thompson further earned his Doctorate of Ministry from The United School of Theology in Dayton, Ohio. His dissertation was entitled: From Side-Line Religion to Enduring Spirituality. The study focused on the efforts of increasing Christian spirituality, not only for daily living, but also for Spiritual depth.
Dr. Thompson hails from Akron, Ohio, but for the last thirty-five (40) plus years, he and his wife (Stephanie) have resided in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Thompson is the father of two, and grandfather of five (5). Further, Dr. Thompson has over twenty-five (25) Spiritual sons and daughters. He has been the Senior Pastor of Four churches: New Bethel A.M.E. Church in Lithonia, Georgia; Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta, Georgia; Allen Temple A.M.E. Church in Cincinnati, Ohio; and currently he serves at Redemptive Life Christian Fellowship in Conyers, Georgia.
As a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, my objective is to lead as a servant, and to serve with integrity as I teach the principles and constructs of the Christian faith. Further, my desire is to equip people through the teaching and praxis of spiritual disciplines in order that they might gain an abundant experience in and deeper intimacy with God. As an additional pressing of my soul, I am called to teach and prepare those who have been called into the ordained and or Pastoral Ministry. My passion is to prepare ministerial candidates with as much spiritual knowledge and leadership skills as possible, so that they can live out their calling to the glory of God. To this end, the Ministers In Training Institute has been established.