ML565: Understanding Organizational Dynamics (4 units)
S. G. Trebesch, Adjunct Assistant Professor of
Leadership
Summer 2004 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
All ministries exist in some form of organization, whether it be a church, mission agency, or other type of Christian organization. Therefore, understanding various organizational dynamics such as organizational culture, structures of organizations, and organizational leadership is critical for any leader desiring to have effective ministry within the organization. This course will provide an introduction to the seminal theories in organizational dynamics including purpose/vision of ministries, ministry values, learning organizations, and organizational structures, culture and lifestyles. Through the use of the seminal theories, case studies and the final project, students will have the opportunity to analyze their own organizations and plan for the future.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
· Students will learn the essential elements of
organizations.
· Students will learn and interact with seminal organizational theories.
· Students will analyze and apply to their organizations the seminal
theories.
· Students will practice collaboration and consulting for organizational
leadership.
COURSE FORMAT: The course consists of spiritual formation, lectures, small groups, case studies, and assignments. This is a one-week intensive.
REQUIRED READING: If you have read any of the required texts for another course, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.
Adizes, Ichak. Corporate
Lifecycles: How and Why Corporations Grow and Die and What to Do About It? 4th edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 1998.
Collins, James and Jerry Porras. Built to
Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies. New York: Harper Collins,
1997.
Collins, James, Good to Great. 2003
Thomas, Viv. The Future Leader: Spirituality, Mentors, Contact, and Style for
Leaders of the Future. London:
Paternoster Press, 1999.
Senge, Peter. The Fifth Discipline: The
Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. New York: Doubleday, 1994.
One of the following: (Available on Reserve Shelf)
Mintzberg, Henry. Structure in
Fives: Designing Effective Organizations. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice
Hall, 1983.
Schein, Edgar H. Organizational Culture
and Leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1995.
Senge, Peter. The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook: Strategies & Tools for
Building a Learning Organization. New York: Doubleday, 1994.
Trebesch, Shelley. Developing Persons in Christian Organizations: A Case Study of OMF
International. FTS Dissertation, 2001.
RECOMMENDED READING: (Available on Reserve Shelf)
Asheknas, Ron et al. The Boundaryless
Organization: Breaking the Chains of
Organizational Structure.
Jossey-Bass, 1995.
De Pree, Max. Leading Without Power:
Finding Hope in Serving Community. Holland, MI: Shepherd Foundation, 1997.
Hesselbein, Frances, Marshall Goldsmith, and Richard Beckhard, eds. The Organization of the Future. San
Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 1997.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1.
Interactive reading of various texts.
2. Reading of case studies.
3. Discern and/or write the purpose and
core values of your ministry OR Analyze your ministry using Corporate Lifecycles.
4. Final project analyzing and applying
at least one of the organizational theories to your ministry.
PREREQUISITES:
None, although extensive (3-5 years) ministry
experience is highly recommended.
RELATIONSHIP
TO CURRICULUM:
Elective. AUDITORS NEED WRITTEN PERMISSION OF
INSTRUCTOR PRIOR TO REGISTRATION.
Auditors will be refused at the first class meeting if they do not have
prior approval.
FINAL
EXAMINATION: None.