Biblical and Theological Foundations of Christian Leadership – CLED 300

Course Description

This course will explore the biblical and theological foundations for Christian leadership. Old and New Testament examples of leadership will be analyzed and the foundations of current leadership principles will be discussed.

Rationale

Too often leadership has been viewed as either a set of personality traits or an innate power held by a select few. Conversely, Christian leadership is rooted in a biblical and theological acknowledgement that the ability and responsibility to lead others is a direct stewardship from God. As such, an individual’s position of leadership should be used to willingly advance God’s purposes within the life of the leader, those being led, and the organization itself.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. The student will complete 2 Discussions in this course. The student will post one thread of at least 300 words by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of the assigned Module: Week. The student must then post 3 replies of at least 200 words by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of the assigned Module: Week. For each thread, students must support their assertions with at least 2 scholarly citations in Turabian format. Each reply must incorporate at least 2 scholarly citations in Turabian format. Acceptable sources include the Bible, textbooks, and course presentations. (CLO: B)

Reflection Essay Assignment

This essay offers an opportunity to reflect on what has been studied thus far in the Christian Leadership and Church Ministries (CLCM) program. In a brief, 2 full-page essay, explain how Scripture and theology provide a foundation for biblical leadership. This can be approached in two different ways: 1) by answering the question “How does theology inform a person’s leadership?” (e.g., humanity’s creation in the image of God, the kingship of Christ, the relationship existing within the Trinity, etc.), or 2) by studying biblical profiles of leaders (e.g., Paul, Abraham, Moses, David, etc.) to see how one’s own leadership might be shaped by the lives of leaders in the Bible. (CLO: A)

Biblical Theology Paper: Proposal Assignment

The student will present a proposal for the Biblical Theology Paper: Final Assignment that identifies the specific theology and how that forms and informs leadership and provide a Bibliography that identifies the proposed literature to be used in the paper. (CLOs: A, C)

Biblical Theology Paper: Final Assignment

The student will write a 10–12 page research-based paper in current Turabian format that focuses on a biblical theology and how that forms and informs leadership. The paper must include at least 8 scholarly, peer-reviewed sources in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. (CLOs: A, B, C)

Book Review Assignment

The student will write a 5–7 page review of the Mohler book The Conviction to Lead. The Book Review must adhere to current Turabian format. (CLO: B)

Quizzes (4)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the Module: Week in which it is assigned and may include material form previous Modules: Weeks. Each quiz will be open-book and/or open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice or true/false questions, and have a 20-minute time limit. (CLOs: A, B)