ML500/600: Teamwork and Leadership (4 units)

C. Douglas McConnell, Associate Professor of Leadership and Dean of the School of Intercultural Studies
Spring 2006 Pasadena

 

 

DESCRIPTION:

This course explores the role of small groups and leadership in churches 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 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.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Gain understanding of the theological and missiological basis of ministry in community
• Identify the primary group dynamics in the formation of teams
• Develop a philosophy of leadership for teams
• Identify the intercultural forces that impact teams
• Learn practical skills of teamwork through participation on learning teams.

 

COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet for three hour sessions weekly on Friday mornings for ten weeks.

 

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.

Gibson, C.B. & Cohen, S.G., Editors, Virtual Teams That Work. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003.
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.
 DiSC, Dimensions of Behavior. Biblical Personal Profile System: A Plan to Understand Yourself and Others with Valuable Biblical Insights, 1995.

 

RECOMMENDED READING:

Barna, G., The Power of Team Leadership: Finding Strength in Shared Responsibility. Colorado Springs: WaterBrook 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.
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.

 

ASSIGNMENTS: **

• A critical review of relevant literature, including the three required texts, plus an additional 600 pages
• In an assigned team, prepare and present a holistic strategy for teamwork
• In an assigned team, research and write a 8000 word paper that examines the major factors impacting teamwork within the context of a mission or church.

 

PREREQUISITES: None.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: A required core competency in the MACCS degree.

 

FINAL EXAM: Yes.

 

** Students are advised that the details of these assignments are subject to last minute change.

 

Last Date Edited: January 9, 2006