Overview
Critical theological reflection on the nature of leadership, focusing on understandings and models of effective leadership, and the nature of congregations and other faith-based organisations as social and religious communities.
In the English-speaking world, the field of leadership studies is dominated by secular western perspectives, mostly from North America and the UK. What does it mean to consider the subject of leadership from a theological perspective in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand? That is what this paper seeks to do. Students are encouraged to view leadership through multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural lenses that give due weight to Māori and theological perspectives. They will integrate academic learning with lessons drawn from personal experience. They will reflect critically from a faith-based perspective on what is involved in grappling with organisational culture, and managing change, risk, crises, and conflict. They will also consider what is involved in maintaining personal health and wellbeing. The paper is suitable for existing and aspiring leaders across a wide range of sectors and organisations, including churches.
About this paper
| Paper title | Theological Perspectives on Leadership |
|---|---|
| Subject | Ministry |
| EFTS | 0.1667 |
| Points | 20 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2025 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,240.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- MINX 406
- Limited to
- MMin, PGDipMin, PGDipFBLM, MFBLM
- Eligibility
- Suitable for people involved in Christian ministry or with an interest in professional training and development in a range of areas of Christian ministry.
- Contact
Dr Graham Redding: graham.redding@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
View more information on the Theology Programme’s website
- Teaching staff
Dr Graham Redding: graham.redding@otago.ac.nz
- Paper Structure
Topics:
- Module 1: Setting the scene: A brief history of leadership studies
- Module 2: Māori & Christian perspectives on leadership
- Module 3: Theological considerations
- Module 4: Handling power, measuring success
- Module 5: Grappling with organisational mission & culture
- Module 6: Managing change & risk
- Module 7: Managing crises & conflict
- Module 8: Maintaining personal health & wellbeing
Assessment:
- Two 3,000-word research essays, 45% each
- Three 500-word posts on leadership formation, 10%
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is taught remotely.
Seven two-hour videoconferences on Zoom spaced throughout the semester.
- Textbooks
There are no textbooks required for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper should be able to:
- Articulate a theologically grounded personal philosophy of leadership relevant to the context in which they are placed
- Understand and critically analyse findings from social science research so they can be used in helping their organisation to operate in an efficient and healthy way, while still reflecting a Christian ethos
- Analyse and identify the culture of their organisation and know how to work with others in constructively developing it from a faith-based perspective
- Understand how to lead an organisation in a process of change and manage conflict effectively while exercising pastoral concern and care for those involved and impacted by it
- Know how to develop good practices and disciplines that enable them to grow their faith and develop the resilience needed as a Christian leader