MLDR Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

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.

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MLDR 518 Theories and Praxis of Missional Leadership

3 hours

Studies biblical, historical, and cultural approaches to leadership. The qualities and skills of the leader are discussed with particular emphasis on the transformational and adaptive leadership models, the leader’s creative and entrepreneurial development, and the stewardship of a leader’s gifts and responsibilities.

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MLDR 519 Formation, Healing & Discipleship

3 hours

Explores the questions: What are spiritual formation, healing and discipleship as pursuits of Christian believers? What is the spiritual leader's role in leading these pursuits? and How do formation, discipleship, and healing happen in current cultural contexts and in the church? The scriptural, theological, developmental, pedagogical, and biological nature of formation, discipleship, and healing are considered.

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MLDR 520 Transformation in Cultures and Systems

3 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 in a cultural system.

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MLDR 521 Theories and Praxis of Christian Administration

3 hours

Studies the principles and practices of administration for ministry organizations including finances, buildings, staff and personnel relations, legal and safety concerns, information and communication systems, tactical management of daily operations, mixed team development (gender and ethnic diversity), and elder/board relations.

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MLDR 522 Leadership, Social Media and Communication

3 hours

Equips students to be competent in media and communication skills understanding theories and praxis. Students will get hands-on practice in diverse platforms, social media content development, and a range of communication modalities, as well as an assessment of the intended audience of the media/communication effort. Students will learn how to lead through media content with an emphasis on God’s mission and building spiritual community.

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MLDR 525 Diversity & Cultural Intelligence in Leadership

3 hours

Builds the capacity of women and men to effectively develop cultural intelligence and leadership skills for an increasingly globalized and diverse world. This course will explore methods for curating sacred spaces in diverse contexts, responding to justice concerns both personally and communally, and understanding how to engage and manage conflict.

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MLDR 526 Mentoring for Ministry I

1 hour

A coaching experience in order to explore one’s calling, enhance one’s awareness of his or her leadership skills, or receive guidance on current leadership challenges. The student will meet one on one with a certified coach. The course is yearlong and is taken sequentially beginning with 526.

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MLDR 527 Mentoring for Ministry II

1 hour

A coaching experience in order to explore one’s calling, enhance one’s awareness of his or her leadership skills, or receive guidance on current leadership challenges. The student will meet one on one with a certified coach. Prerequisite: MLDR 526

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MLDR 528 Mentoring for Ministry III

1 hour

A coaching experience in order to explore one’s calling, enhance one’s awareness of his or her leadership skills, or receive guidance on current leadership challenges. The student will meet one on one with a certified coach. Prerequisite: 527

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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.)

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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MLDR 585 Advanced Topics in Leadership

3 hours

Explores the development of particular leadership and/or management skills needed for effective outcomes in an organization.

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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.

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