ML500/600: Teamwork and Leadership (4 units)

C. Douglas McConnell, Associate Professor of Leadership and Dean of the School of Intercultural Studies
Spring 2007 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

This course explores the role of small groups and leadership in churches, parachurches, and missions. Due to the increasing pressure on Christian workers to function within the context of teams, peer leadership and followership will be studied in relation to teamwork. The course will provide a basic introduction to teamwork and leadership frameworks, with an emphasis on biblical leadership and the role of the community and team. The course will also explore the issues and skills required to be an effective team member and team leader. Case studies and a collaborative team project experience will practically ground the course teachings.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Provides an introduction to leadership for teams and groups from a biblical perspective. Each participant will be engaged in a team to explore team dynamics and the relevance for specific ministries in churches and missions.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Gain understanding of the theological and missiological basis of ministry in community.
• Identify primary team and leadership models, and understand group dynamics in the formation and development of teams.
• Develop individual self-awareness of personality and understand uniqueness in relation to team environment.
• Identify the intercultural forces that impact teams.
• Learn practical skills of teamwork through case studies and participation on learning teams.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet once a week for four hours

REQUIRED READING: Read 1200 pages from the following. If required texts already read, select other books from a supplementary reading list or other book approved by instructor.

Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R. & McKee, A., Primal Leadership: Learning to lead with emotional intelligence. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2002.
Katzenbach, J.R. & Smith, D.K., The Discipline of Teams. New York: Wiley & Sons 2000.
The Temperament Discovery System, KTS-II, AdvisorTeam.com Inc. 1998-2004. (Available online)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Barna, G., The Power of Team Leadership: Finding Strength in Shared Responsibility. Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press 2001.
Buckingham, Marcus & Clifton, Donald O., Now Discover Your Strengths. New York: The Free Press, 2001.
Clinton, J.R., Having a Ministry that Lasts: Becoming a Bible Centered Leader. Altadena: Barnabas Resources 1997.
Cordeiro, W., Doing Church as a Team. Ventura, CA: Regal Books 2001.
Depree, M., Leading Without Power: Finding Hope is Serving Community. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass 1997.
Elmer, Duane, Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press 1993.
Gibson, C.B. & Cohen, S.G., Eds, Virtual Teams That Work. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003.
Lencioni, P., The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2002.
Maxwell, J.C., The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork: Embrace Them and Empower your Team. Nashville: Nelson, 2001.
Roembke, Lianne. Building Credible Multicultural Teams. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2000.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Book Reviews: 500 word (maximum two-page, double spaced) critical book reviews for each of the two required texts and for each additional book chosen for 1200 pages of total reading.
2. Team Assignment: In an assigned team, prepare and present a holistic team strategy for teamwork. Each team will be assigned one of the descriptive ideas for their project.
3. Team Paper: Research and write a strategy for developing teamwork within the context of a mission or church (8,000-9,000 words for assignment # 4 only).
4. Final Case Study
5. Additional Th.M. Assignment. (assumes M.Div. background)

• Additional 500 pages of reading included in Reading Log
• Additional 2000 word (8 pages) theological reflection paper

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Core course for MACCS degree.

FINAL EXAM: None.

Last Date Edited: January 22, 2007