Course Title: Resilient Leadership: Facing the 21St C. Challenges of Leadership

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:

1. 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 tohelp 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.

1. 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)

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 resilient-preparedness.
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 (100points)

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 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 (150points)

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-CareThe 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

1

LEAD 997

VII.Attendance Policies

Students are simply expected to attend class, prepared to actively discuss lesson content and engage in group and individual exercises.

VIII.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.

IX.Calendar

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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