Executive Leadership :: CLAL102
Learning Objectives

This module provides you with the following outcomes:

  1. The ability to identify a biblical hero or heroine with whom the executive leader closely identifies, examining why this is and what insights might be drawn.
  2. Consideration of biblical passages where God praises a leader. The student will identify what is comforting and what is challenging from these passages.
  3. An understanding of the theological concept of the leader as a steward. That is, the leader as one who manages a trust rather than functions as an owner.
  4. Gaining insight into how the Scriptures do not separate the individual from the organization and its mission the way western culture does, and comparing it to the leader’s own way of functioning.
  5. Making a fresh visit to Jesus’ words about leadership and comparing the leader’s life. Are they listening or following?

Module Start Date: June 18, 2012
Registration Closes: June 11, 2012

Mark L. Vincent Introductory Video

Faculty: Mark L. Vincent, Design Group International

Category: Executive Leadership
Module Title: Biblical Foundations of Executive Leadership, CLAL102

Module Overview: This module is designed to introduce the student to biblical content and reflection on the subject of executive leadership. Specific areas of study include biblical heroes and heroines upon whom a person might model themselves, passages where God praises a leader—particularly for their leadership behavior, consideration of the biblical motif of the leader as a steward, reflection on scriptures that link leaders with the organizations they serve, and Jesus’ words on leadership. A specific purpose of this course module is to invite the executive leader to do some of their own and original work of biblical reflection on this subject, not just depending on what others have said they should think. A concluding assignment is to draw one key lesson from each session that points to next steps for the executive leader in their journey.

Requirements for Receiving Credit

Credit for the module will be determined on the following criteria:

  • Successful completion and submission of five Reflection assignments demonstrating that the student has read required reading and reviewed the presentations;
  • Engage in the topic forums for all five sessions


Required Reading/Resources

  • The Bible. This course utilizes the updated edition of the New American Standard Bible, because of the strength of its close translation from the original languages.
  • Becoming a Steward Leader: Essential Insights from Thought Leaders and Practitioners. Christian Leadership Alliance. 2012. Expected to be in print and available in April 2012. Advance copies can be reserved.
  • A Christian View of Money: Celebrating God’s Generosity (3rd ed), by Mark L. Vincent, Wipf and Stock, 2006

Session 1 Reading assignment:

Session 2 Reading assignment:

  • The Secret of Hezekiah’s Leadership by David Yerry
  • Selected Scripture: 2 Chronicles 29-32 (Hezekiah); Malachi 1-4 (The priests of Israel); Acts 1-6; 15:1-35 (Early Apostles, especially Peter)

Session 3 Reading assignment:

  • ch.4 "Becoming a Steward Leader” by Scott Rodin in Becoming a Steward Leader: Essential Insights from Thought Leaders and Practicioners, Christian Leadership Alliance, 2012.

Session 4 Reading assignment:

Session 5 Reading assignment:


Topics

Session 1 — Leadership Archetypes and Scripture

Leadership theorists have long taught that there are heroic archetypes. These archetypes are found in Scriptural narratives. The class participant is invited to understand these archetypes, to identify Scriptural heroes and heroines that fit these archetypes, and to discover which one(s) they identify with most.

Session 2 — When and why God praises leaders

Corresponding to the biblical criticism and judgment God brings to leaders who fail in their task, is God’s expectation and praise of leaders who are faithful to their task. A consideration of a sampling of these Scriptures demonstrates leadership behavior is central to what God praises in a leader. Participants will complete a personal reflection exercise related to their own leadership behaviors.

Session 3 — Becoming a steward leader

We consider both the definition of the steward leader and the process of becoming one. Drawing on Scott Rodin’s theological work on this subject, participants will reflect on where they are in their own journey of becoming.

Session 4 — The Biblical Intersection of Leaders and Organizations

The session provides a study on the inter-relationship of leaders and institutions as portrayed in the Bible, including expectations for the person who wants to be aligned with God’s way. This is compared with the literature on leadership and law. Paticipants are invited to reflect on how this compares to their own understanding and practice.

Session 5 — Jesus on leadership

The readings for this session demonstrate how people use Jesus to endorse their point of view—whatever it is—especially regarding leadership. Participants are invited to return to a gospel portrayal of Jesus as a leader and to hear the words of Jesus on leadership once more in as fresh a way as possible. The key exercise is to identify 5-7 leadership insights they draw straight from the life and sayings of Jesus.

*Each of these five sessions features these five components:

  • Inspiration
  • Reading
  • Presentation
  • Discussion
  • Reflection