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Adaptive Leadership for Religious Practitioners
January Intersession 2013
The current literature on leadership in religion and other fields suggest the possibility of a convergence between what have been seen as “secular” and “spiritual” leadership styles. This seminar will review some of the leading theoretical and practical resources on religious leadership with an emphasis on the relationship between leadership, organizational innovation and religious renewal. We will make substantial use of case study material as well as conversations with successful practitioners and at least one field visit to a local ministry site. Students will be expected to complete a substantial portion of the reading before the class convenes.
Monday, January 14 through Saturday, January 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Syllabus:
Required Texts:
Heclo, Hugh, On Thinking Institutionally Paradigm Publishing, 2008
Heifetz, Ronald, Alexander Grashow and Marty Linsky, The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World Harvard Business Press, 2009
Baggett, Jerome P., Sense of the Faithful Oxford University Press, 2009
Marti, Gerardo, Worship across the Racial Divide: Religious Music and the Multiracial Congregation Oxford University Press, 2012
Course Reader (On SONISWEB)
Course Requirements:
The best learning is facilitated through dialogue, and through the sharing of critiques and thoughts with each other. Therefore, it won’t be possible for you to strengthen your gifts and possibilities for leadership in congregations and other ministries without attending class and participating in discussion. You are required to be prepared for all sessions and to discuss the listed readings and topics on the dates for which they are assigned.
Attendance at and active participation in every class session is expected of all students. Exceptions are only allowed if advance permission has been granted by the instructor, and only for unavoidable absences. In all cases, failure to be in attendance at more than one class session day automatically precludes successful completion of the course. This portion of the grade includes all discussion and interaction during class and small group assignment.
Our journey in this course will include two principal assignments: (1) A three-to-five page reflection paper reflecting critically on the books by Hugh Heclo and Ron Heifetz, Alexander Grashow and Marty Linsky; (2) a final paper (10-15 pages) defining your personal leadership strategies and how you might incorporate the practice of adaptive leadership in your context. You will also be expected to participate in a small group presentation on strategies for leadership in a particular setting. You will be given more detail on these assignments in class. These assignments will make up your final grade:
Class Participation and Attendance: 25% Reflection Paper: 25%
Final Paper: 50% TOTAL 100%
SCHEDULE OF COURSE READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Monday: Course Introduction; Personal Strategies for Leadership; Defining and Imagining Leadership: Painting Pictures of Effective Leaders and Institution; On Thinking Institutionally; Introduction to Adaptive Leadership; Intro to Web Resources on Religion
Advance Reading:
Heclo, On Thinking Institutionally
Heifetz, Ronald and Donald Laurie. “The Work of Leadership” in Course Reader
Heifetz, Grashow and Linsky, The Practice of Adaptive Leadership, Part One
Helpful Web Resources:
Flower, Joe. “The Change Project - Conversation with Ronald Heifetz” www.well.com/user/bbear/heifetz.html
Tuesday: Morning: Conversation with Adaptive Leaders. Afternoon: Focusing on Adaptive Leadership.
The Hard Work of Leadership. “Leading With Authority” vs. “Leading Without Authority”; Negotiating Social Structures, Values and Organizational Culture; Ethics, Uses and Abuses of Leadership
Basic Reading:
Heifetz, Grashow and Linsky, The Practice of Adaptive Leadership, Parts Two-Four
Suggested Reading:
Wednesday: Morning: Research on Congregations and Religious Organizations. Afternoon: Field Visit
What Are Congregations? What Are Religious Leaders? Compassionate Leadership, Organizational Systems, Situational and Adaptive Change; Legitimate Authority and Earning Members’ Trust; Preparation for Project Presentations
Reflection Paper Due Today
Basic Reading:
Thumma, Scott and Edward Gray, “The Gospel Hour” in Course Reader
Diana Eck, “A Mosque in Massachusetts” in Course Reader
Earle Waugh, “Reducing the Distance: A Muslim Congregation in the Canadian North” in Course Reader
Web Resources:
Thursday: Strategic Planning in Religious Organizations – Congregational Leadership and Theological Strategic Planning: Personal Core Values, Envisioning, Organizational Planning, Special Topics (TBD)
Basic Reading:
Marti, Worship Across the Racial Divide
Bass, Dorothy, “Practicing Theology in the Congregation” http://www.alban.org/conversation.aspx?id=2368&terms=BASS%
Senge, Peter. “The Practice of Innovation” http://www.hesselbeininstitute.org/knowledgecenter/journal.aspx? ArticleID=159
Friday: Project Presentations. Strategies for Mobilizing Human and Material Resources: Personal Development, Networks, Building Community, Budget and Finance; Project Presentations
Basic Reading:
Baggett, Sense of the Faithful
Web Resources:
Saturday: Morning Project Presentation; Afternoon: Toward a Personal Leadership Plan (Final Paper); Course Review and Evaluation.
Basic Reading:
Heifetz, Grashow and Linksy, The Practice of Adaptive Leadership, Part Five
Web Resources:
Quick MBA: Management, “Summary of Stephen R. Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” www.quickmba.com/mgmt/7hab/
Books:
Required Texts:
Heclo, Hugh, On Thinking Institutionally Paradigm Publishing, 2008. Buy now
Heifetz, Ronald, Alexander Grashow and Marty Linsky, The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World Harvard Business Press, 2009. Buy now
Baggett, Jerome P., Sense of the Faithful Oxford University Press, 2009. Buy now
Marti, Gerardo, Worship across the Racial Divide: Religious Music and the Multiracial Congregation Oxford University Press, 2012. Buy now