Spiritual Formation
An introduction to personal spiritual formation, which is an intensive process to encourage spiritual growth. Topics include the study of Christian spirituality and the practice of disciplines rooted in the Bible and Christian history.
Theology of Christian Life
An examination of the doctrine of sanctification through a study of relevant biblical texts, a survey of the history of the doctrine, comparison of different theories, and an exploration of a life of holiness.
Devotional Classics of the Christian Life
An in-depth study of the concepts and practices of Christian spiritual formation through the reading of selected spiritual classics.
Ethical Foundations
An examination of the foundations of Christian Ethics from biblical, theological, and philosophical perspectives. Topics include historical development, various approaches and methodologies, contextualization, and application to social issues.
Discipleship
An introduction to the practice of following Christ and leading others to do the same. Topics include personal discipleship, disciple-making, developing a philosophy of ministry that emphasizes discipleship, and implementing strategies for creating disciple-making movements.
Understanding Generation Z
An exploration of the driving forces and values that have shaped the characteristics, preferences, and worldview of Generation Z. Topics include learning how to create environments and develop strategies that will most effectively influence and equip Gen Zers to flourish in the workplace and contribute to the success of the organization.
Biblical Foundations of Leadership
An introduction to biblical foundations for planning, coordinating, leading, and supporting both marketplace and ministry organizations. Topics include leadership principles that are taught and illustrated in the Old and New Testaments, the development of a theology of leadership, and the integration of organizational flourishing with the advance of God’s greater purposes in the world.
Cross-Cultural Leadership
An examination of how to lead when cross-cultural differences affect a business or ministry context. Topics include the relationship between culture(s) and communication, working relationships in cross-cultural contexts, cross-cultural leadership styles, and the development of a framework for leading in a culture different from the leader’s home culture.
Leadership Theory and Development
An introduction to various leadership styles, models, and theories. Special attention will be given to how various models impact effective leadership in real-world organizations, as well as the assessment of current leadership strengths and weaknesses for the sake of personal growth as a leader.
Servant Leadership
An introduction to the theory and practice of servant leadership and its application to various leadership contexts. Special attention is given to how a servant leader is different from other leaders, and focusing upon the needs of others can create interdependency rather than dependency in organizations.
Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
An introduction to the concept of Emotional Intelligence and its applicability to leadership. Special attention is given to personal emotional intelligence, as well as learning how emotional intelligence builds trust, manages difficult discussions, develops resilience, enhances team performance, and enables them to lead for long-term success.
Communication and Conflict Resolution
An examination of the essential influences and dimensions of the intrapersonal dynamics that contribute to who we are, how we work, and how we interact with others. Topics include building and sustaining decision-making teams, mentoring, delegating, resolving conflict, and handling and overcoming opposition. Extensive time will be given to developing communication skills with a view toward functioning more effectively and efficiently as a team leader in handling both routine and crisis situations.
Leading Across Generations
An introduction to leadership in post-generational organizations. Special attention is given to the forces shaping the future of post-generational organizations, how best to understand post-generational dynamics, and building successful post-generational businesses and ministries.
Personal Leadership Development
An introduction to the foundations of personal leadership. Topics include basic spiritual formation, well-being, self-motivation, strength-based leadership, goal-setting, time management, productivity, and the relationship between personal leadership and leading others.
Applied Leadership Project
Planned with the student’s advisor, the goal of the project is to integrate the student’s coursework, personal experience, and vocational goals in a “Theology/Philosophy of Leadership” that the student will apply to a particular area of leadership. The written project plan, literature search, and analysis of results is the capstone experience in the Master of Arts in Leadership.
Foundations of a Christian Worldview
An examination of the Christian worldview from biblical, theological, and philosophical perspectives. Topics include critical analysis of competing worldviews, communication of the Christian worldview in a pluralistic context, and the relationship between propositions, affections, and actions in developing a consistently biblical approach to viewing and living life.