Church Administration – LEAD 505

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

A study of administrative principles and practices for the local church. The course examines staff, finances, buildings, and public relations in churches and integrates material from both religious and secular sources.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Administration is one of the greatest challenges faced by pastors and church staff. It requires the knowledge of key facets of ministry coupled with wisdom, foresight, and the ability to deal with critical issues set in a primarily volunteer setting. To be accomplished effectively, church work requires administration as well as teaching, preaching, and ministering. The purpose of this course is to facilitate an understanding of administration as an essential element to church ministry enabling a business-like approach fostering a well-organized and functional ministry capable of accomplishing its mission and vision well.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (6)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. There will be 6 Discussions where the student will be required to write a minimum 300-word thread and reply to at least 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be a minimum of 100 words. (CLOs: A, B, D, E, F, G)

Organizational Chart Assignment

This assignment requires the student to construct or assess an organizational chart for his/her present church. The paper must include a 2—3 page minimum assessment of the chart. The paper must be written in Turabian format and contain at least 2—3 scholarly references that must include the textbooks, the Bible, and other scholarly articles/sources. (CLO: D)

Policy Assignment

Using the Welch readings as well as the presentations to identify key elements to be addressed, the student will develop a policy for weddings in his/her church or evaluate an already existing policy. The policy must be a minimum of 4–5 pages. The paper must be written in current Turabian format and contain at least 2-3 scholarly references that must include the textbooks, the Bible, and other scholarly articles/references. (CLOs: A, F)

Church Budget Spreadsheet Assignment

The student will utilize the assigned readings to critique an annual budget for a church. The student will submit the budget and 2–3 pages of related explanatory elements. The paper must be written in current Turabian format and contain at least 2–3 scholarly references that must include the textbooks, the Bible, and other scholarly articles/references. (CLO: E)

Church Government Assignment

The student will apply the assigned readings in order to write a 5-page paper on church government. The paper must be written in current Turabian format and contain at least 2-3 scholarly references that must include the textbooks, the Bible, and other scholarly articles/sources. (CLO:  B)

Church Risk Assignment

The student will develop a 5-page paper assessing the level of risk preparedness in place in his/her present church (this must be based on all the related course readings and legal presentations). The paper must be written in current Turabian format and contain at least 2-3 scholarly references that must include the textbooks, the Bible, and other scholarly articles/sources. (CLO:  G)

Church Administration Assessment Assignment

The student will submit a 10-page paper assessing the current state of administration in his/her church and providing a recommended policy and administration changes. The paper must be written in current Turabian format and contain a minimum of 10 scholarly references that must include the textbooks, the Bible, and other scholarly articles/sources. (CLOs: A, C)