ML524:
Focused Lives (4 units, intensive format)
J. Robert Clinton, Professor of Leadership
Summer 2005
Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
This course comparatively studies a number of Christian leaders. These
leaders, both men and women, were effective leaders who led focused lives. Out
of these studies has emerged the concept of a focused life comprised of 4
components: (1) life purpose; (2) major role; (3) effective methodologies; (4)
ultimate contribution set. Students will study a number of historical case
studies and Biblical case studies, which illustrate focused lives concepts.
Each student will then produce a case study of his/her own life from a focused
life standpoint. As part of their personal case study, students will learn how
to construct their own Personal Life Mandate - a major decision making tool for
ministry and life. Students will find that they will be using these concepts in
their ministries the rest of their lives.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: A student
will have:
•
constructed a Personal Life Mandate, a 3-5 page major decision making tool,
which includes paragraphs describing life purpose, major role, effective
methodologies, and ultimate contributions,
• proven familiarity with focused lives concepts including the
integration of the four focal elements-- life purpose, major role, effective methodologies,
and ultimate contributions—along their personal time-line,
• the ability to use Venn diagrams to
display various focused lives concepts (including giftedness set; ultimate
contributions).
• have demonstrated familiarity with numerous focused lives concepts as
measured by the case study and daily exercises.
• a life-line perspective on strategic formation which will prove useful in the
development of self and other leaders.
COURSE FORMAT:
This
is a two-week intensive. Classes meet daily M-F from 8:00 a.m.-12:30 a.m., July
18-22; 25-29. Students should seek to read as much of the required reading as
they can before the class sessions begin. Contact Dr. Clinton to obtain
reading material if you want to do pre-class work.
REQUIRED READING:
ML524 Class Syllabus (available on CD and
electronically via pipeline; bookstore can print out if needed)
ML524 Focused Lives Reader (available on CD and electronically via pipeline;
bookstore can print out if needed)
Reader available on CD to students who have registered for the course. Obtain
from Dr. Clinton.
Clinton, J. Robert. Focused
Lives-Comparative Studies of Effective Leaders Who Finished Well. Altadena:
Barnabas Publishers, 1995.
Clinton, J. Robert. Strategic
Concepts--That Clarify a Focused Life. Altadena, CA: Barnabas Publishers,
1995.
Plumb, Sue. Irene Webster-Smith: An Irish
Woman Who Impacted Japan. Altadena, CA: Barnabas Publishers, 1996.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Reading of all materials listed above.
2. Daily exercises dealing with application of focused lives concepts
introduced via reading, lecture, exercises or small group activities.
3. A case study on the student's own life using focused lives concepts to
prompt analysis. This case study will be completed by the end of summer
quarter. This is a major paper. You will do sections of this paper during the
ten days of class and get feedback on these sections so as to improve them. The
final case is turned in at the end of summer quarter.
4. Th.M. Students: Appropriate additional reading will be negotiated
individually with each Th.M. student. These readings will involve case studies
from the student's own ethnic background.
PREREQUISITES:
There are no pre-requisites. However, Students who have taken ML 530
Life Long Development and ML 521 Developing Giftedness will have a jump start
on this course. Students not familiar with leadership emergence theory are
advised to do the pre-requisite readings before class. This is an intensive
course requiring a high degree of focus during the two weeks.
Last Date Edited: Mar 21, 2005; Valid Only for
Summer 2005