MLDR

MLDR 516 Mission, Church, and Society
2 hours. Explores the work of God in the world by examining a missional ecclesiology that is biblical, historical, contextual, eschatological, and can be translated into practice. Attention is given to the gospel as it relates to culture. What is the church? What is the church for? What is our role in relationship to the church? These questions provide the framework for the course.

MLDR 517 Transformation in Cultures and Systems
2 hours. Designed to assist leaders and their communities in understanding and engaging in faithful transformation of the cultures, systems, and structures of their context. The course follows a practical theological approach, engaging in description, theological evaluation, and transformational practice while drawing insights from various disciplines to help discern effective and faithful change.

MLDR 518 Theories and Praxis of Missional Leadership
2 hours. Studies the biblical, historical, and cultural approaches to leadership. The qualities and skills of the missional leader are discussed with particular emphases on the leader's global view of Christianity, the leader's creative and entrepreneurial development, and his or her stewardship of gifts and responsibility.

MLDR 519 Formation & Discipleship
2 hours. The purpose of this course is to explore the questions: What is spiritual formation & discipleship? What is the spiritual leader's role? and How does formation & discipleship happen in the current cultural context and in the church? The course focuses on formation as a spiritual and holistic experience. The scriptural, theological, developmental, pedagogical, and biological nature of formation and discipleship are explored.

MLDR 525 Race, Ethnicity, and the Church I
2 hours. Part I of a course that builds the capacity of women and men to effectively develop ministry leadership skills for an ethnically diverse world. This course will explore theoretical approaches to ethnic studies and contextual theologies in dialogue with present-day ministry contexts. Special consideration will be given to promoting intersectional reconciliation of men and women and racial/ethnic groups. (Note: it is required that students take both MLDR 525 and MLDR 535 in direct sequence.)

MLDR 535 Race, Ethnicity, and the Church II
2 hours. Part II of a course that builds the capacity of women and men to effectively develop ministry leadership skills for an ethnically diverse world. Having built a foundation in race and ethnic theory in part I, this course will focus on a deep exploration of a particular ethnic social location, whether the Latino/a, African American, or Asian American church. Course content will integrate contextual theologies with perspectives of ministry leadership from the specified ethnic church community. (Note: it is required that students take both MLDR 525 and MLDR 535 in direct sequence; afterwards, MLDR 535 may be repeated for credit.)

MLDR 555 Seminar in Ministry Leadrshp I
2 hours. A small group of students study a specially selected topic with a professor. (Note: it is required that students take both MLDR 555 and MLDR 565).

MLDR 558 Advanced Leadership Studies I
2 hours. Part I of a course on advanced leadership which operationalizes the aspects of servant leadership theory. The first section will cover theory and tools for developing influence as a leader and working with a team to accomplish the vision and mission of the organization. (Note: it is required that students take both MLDR 558 and MLDR 559).

MLDR 559 Advanced Leadership Studies II
2 hours. Part II of a course on advanced leadership that will focus on influencing for positive systemic change in a group and elevates the character of individuals. Transformational leadership model is operationalized in this course by focusing on systems for managing self, others, programs, boards, finances, and communications. (Note: it is required that students take both MLDR 558 and MLDR 559).

MLDR 565 Seminar in Ministry Leadership II
2 hours. A small group of students study a specially selected topic with a professor. (Note: it is required that students take both MLDR 555 and MLDR 565).

MLDR 568 Specialized Apprenticeship I
2 hours. Part I of a unique practicum experience in which students participate in an internship in order to gain expertise in the tasks of their degree specialization. The practicum component is coupled with guidance and mentoring of a site supervisor and faculty who facilitate processes of integration. (Note: it is required that students take both MLDR 568 and MLDR 569).

MLDR 569 Specialized Apprenticeship II
2 hours. Part II of a unique practicum experience in which students participate in an internship in order to gain expertise in the tasks of their degree specialization. The practicum component is coupled with guidance and mentoring of a site supervisor and faculty who facilitate processes of integration. Prerequisite: MLDR 568 (Note: it is required that students take both MLDR 568 and MLDR 569).

MLDR 595 Special Study
1-3 hours. The courses are designed to give a student an opportunity to customize his or her learning experience. A course facilitator will provide the format and structure for choosing the topic, gathering information and doing the study and work, and presenting the learnings in a written, artistic, or technological form.