ML521: Developing Giftedness in Leaders (4 units)

Elizabeth (Betsy) Glanville, Director of SIS Doctoral Programs and Assistant Professor of Leadership
Spring 2004 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

This course explores several New Testament models of ministry philosophy related to the giftedness of leaders. Students will be challenged to identify and develop their own giftedness, including natural abilities, acquired skills, and spiritual gifts. Students will explore different patterns of giftedness development, identifying those evident in their own life experience. Suggestions for future development of gifts will be explored. The major project for this class is a self-analysis of the student's own leadership, including a plan for future development and ministry using the identified strengths. This is a practical course. A student will leave this class with an understanding of giftedness in general and his/her own giftedness in particular. Concepts learned in this course will be used in ministry over a lifetime.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Students will understand different theological perspectives on spiritual gifts.
• Students will know and analyze their own giftedness set
• Students will have a plan for developing their own leadership gifts

COURSE FORMAT:

Class times will include lectures, class discussion, small groups, and spiritual formation.

REQUIRED READING:

ML521 Class Syllabus.
Clinton, Bobby and Richard Clinton. Developing Leadership Giftedness. Altadena, CA: Barnabas Publishers, 1993.
Gruden, Wayne, ed. Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Four Views. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.
Wagner, C. Peter. Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Clinton, Bobby. Spiritual Gifts. Alberta, Canada: Horizon House, 1985.

In addition to the required texts, students will read several other books with different perspectives on leadership gifts. These texts will provide additional perspective for their personal analysis and application.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Continuum reading of books on gifts: 1000 pages with reading log, and response papers.
2. An analysis paper on personal giftedness that includes a strategy for developing leadership gifts (15-30 pages).
3. An oral presentation to the class or small group of the findings from the self-analysis projects (15-20 minutes).
4. Weekly assignment that are preparation for the analysis paper.
5. Th.M. Students: Must complete a two-page comparative analysis of Wagner's position on gifts over and against Clinton's position on gifts.

PREREQUISITES: Significant ministry experience is the best preparation for this class.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Auditors by written permission of instructor only.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

Last Date Edited: December 4, 2003