Master of Arts (MA) Faith-Driven Leadership

30 Credits

In these times of rapid cultural and economic change, effective Christian leaders must be able to maintain focus on the mission, mobilize people in pursuit of that vision, and facilitate the execution of strategies that accomplish the mission. It’s a tall order. It requires extraordinary leadership.  The Faith-Driven Leadership program uses a dynamic integrated learning framework to equip leaders for real-time faith-driven skill development to meet that challenge in any organization and leadership role.

Purpose

The purpose of our MA Faith-Driven Leadership program is to develop the core character and capacity to lead an organization that is anchored to its mission, that mobilizes an effective organizational team and equips them to accomplish the mission for which the organization exists within an organizational infrastructure that is well-tuned to accomplish that mission.

Vision

The vision of this program is to equip and mobilize leaders who bring excellence to their organizations in a manner that contributes significant value to the broader culture.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the MA Faith-Driven Leadership program, students will be equipped to exercise effective leadership within an organization across an intentional framework of mission-driven leadership skills. Success will be demonstrated in the exercise of the following competencies:

1. Exercise of mission-driven leadership that encourages and facilitates collaborative learning at all levels of the organization.
2. Application of a solid understanding of organizations that creates and maintains a productive community of learners.
3. Development of comprehensive organizational strategies using skills in evaluation, adaptation and integration of new and existing strategies for efficient and effective pursuit of organizational goals.
4. Recruitment, development, and mobilization of employees and volunteers as effective teams.
5. Coordination of board and administrative team activities for creation and maintenance of maximum organizational productivity.
6. Effective and prudent planning and oversight of all financial aspects of a nonprofit organization.
7. Development and management of a comprehensive, responsible risk management policy.

Leadership Core (21 credits)

The MA Faith-Driven Leadership program is designed with a flexible elective block that allows students to select from a range of available Bible and Theology courses that broaden the application of the concentration skills to a variety of ministry and leadership dynamics.  The following is a sampling of suggested courses.

• LDR501 Leading in Active Learning Environments. A study of organizational leadership theory and practice as it relates to the development and facilitation of active learning environments. Identify and evaluate your personality and leadership style, adapt and use leadership approaches, and explore principles for moving individuals and organizations toward growth and development.
• LDR502 Organizations as Learning Communities. Interact with organizational theory to identify and understand the unique organizational mission and culture within which you function.  Formulate strategies to enhance learning and innovation. 
• LDR503 Strategic Thinking. In a fast-paced environment organizations must be able to respond quickly to emerging challenges. Apply strategic theory, change theory, and implementation disciplines to real challenges within your organization.
• LDR504 Developing Dynamic Teams. Apply group and team theory for recruiting, developing, mobilizing, and mending teams of employees and volunteers for maximum effectiveness.
• LDR505 Governance and Administration of Nonprofit Organizations. Engage theories of governance and administration to interact effectively with all levels of an organization from any position within that organization.   
• LDR506 Financial Management of Nonprofit Organizations. Prudent planning and management of organizational finances is essential to continued success. Interact with all aspects of an organization’s finances to gain proficiency in the competencies of financial oversight.
• LDR507 Risk Management for Nonprofit Organizations. Get familiar with current law and industry standards by which liability is determined. Interact with accreditation agencies and processes in the development of sound risk management policy.
• LDR508 Organizational Communication. Develop skills for managing organizational behavior through effective communicative processes.
• LDR510 Emotional Intelligence. Emotional intelligence is a skill that can be developed with training and practice. Develop the core competencies of emotional intelligence, including self-management, self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation and empathy.
• LDR511 Nonprofit Leadership. Introduce and survey leadership skills across governance, financial management and risk management for nonprofit organizations.
• THE548 An Interpretive Study of Biblical Leadership. Cultures shape leadership and leadership shapes cultures. Apply sound principles of biblical theology to develop a clear and compelling biblical theology of leadership while growing the capacity for godly spiritual leadership.

Bible & Theology Electives (9 credits)

The MA Faith-Driven Leadership program is designed with a flexible elective block that allows students to select from a range of available Bible and Theology courses that broaden the application of the concentration skills to a variety of ministry and leadership dynamics.  The following is a sampling of suggested courses.

• BIB500 Interpretive Bible Study.  Lays a foundation for how to approach the Scriptures as they are intended to be approached based on what the Bible says about itself.
• BIB520 The Story of the Bible.  Provides an overview of the whole of Scripture so that each part can be understood in the context of the whole.
• BIB550 Communication of the Word.  Engage the Body in transformation through effective communication of the Word.
• LDR509 Spiritual Disciplines for Ministry Leaders.  A focus on the student’s own personal transformation, rooted in the Word.
• THE510 Developing a Biblical Worldview.  A foundational skill set in “doing theology” in a way that effectively intersects with the practical and philosophical questions of life, community and culture.
• THE525 New Testament Church.  God intends to transform individuals within the context of the life of the Body of Christ.
• THE538 An Interpretive Study of Biblical Discipleship.  Focus on engaging others in the process of biblically-rooted transformation.

Partner School Implementations

• Anchor Christian University — MA Christian Leadership
• Clarks Summit University — MA Organizational Leadership (core & concentration modified to fit MA program parameters)