Parish Leadership and Ministry

Parishes are specific contexts in which the Church, regardless of denomination, lives out its calling. As a course in parish leadership and ministry, our learning will be first grounded in an understanding of the Church; what it is and what it is for. Together we will explore the implications of what it means to say that the Church is the body of Christ in the world. In the context of a deeply rooted ecclesiology we will then begin to understand what it means to be a Christian leader in the Chnrch, exploring practical areas of parish leadership and ministry including: nurturing the traits and disciplines of healthy Christian leadership, developing others as leaders, leading and managing change, dealing with conflict, cultivating missional organizational practices, implementing sound financial management, developing effective parish communications, building an integrative ministry to children, and cultivating healthy community connections. 2 hours of lecture & discussion + 1 hour of seminar & discussion