ML 540 • Transformational Leadership 4 Credits

Development of the ability to lead well and manage a congregation. Articulation of a biblical-theological rationale for leadership as individual human agency in helping a group to work toward noble goals despite the Bible’s warnings against corrupt leaders. Articulation of the biblical-theological claim that personal moral character affects long-term leadership effectiveness. Analysis of the dynamic of collaboration and individual agency in effective leadership. Consideration of the insights from the Bible, history, and psychological research in describing effective leadership. Development of the ability to be a valuable contributor to an organization. Analysis of the biblical-theological basis and organizational strengths of different church polity structures. Develop the ability to work effectively with both women and men. Development of strategies to prevent and manage conflict in an organization. Appreciation of cultural differences in approaches to leadership. Development of strategies for innovation and change in organizations. Development of management and administrative approaches that prevent harm of the vulnerable. Awareness of common legal and financial issues in congregations. Development of approaches to effective meetings and supervision.

ML 545 • Discipleship and Worship 4 Credits

Articulation of a biblical-theological rationale for intentional discipleship, spiritual growth, spiritual formation, and Christian education in a congregational context. Analysis of different approaches to discipleship throughout church history. Utilization of insights from educational psychology. Teaching of the Bible effectively in a variety of settings. Fostering of in-person and online community in response to loneliness and isolation. Evaluation of contemporary trends in discipleship in community for different ages and in different cultures. Development of the ability to conduct worship. Articulation of a biblical-theological basis for planning weekly worship. Develop a biblical-theological understanding of prayer. Analysis of the formational and expressive ideals of worship. Analysis of the value of human physical community gathering in comparison to rarely attending or only gathering online. Exploration of the range of biblical-theological approaches to communion and baptism. Drawing from historical and global resources in planning worship.

ML 612YL • Leadership I (Young Life Staff Training) 3 Credits

This course is designed to equip individuals to lead an effective incarnational ministry with young people. Trainers in the field lead students through a curriculum in which action and reflection are emphasized. This course equips people specifically in the areas of spiritual formation, direct ministry with young people, leadership development of volunteers, fundraising, and administration. Emphasis is placed on incarnationally expressing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the world of adolescents.

ML 613YL • Leadership II (Young Life Staff Training) 3 Credits

This course is designed to equip individual to lead an incarnational youth ministry with effective discipleship of young people. Building volunteer teams for ministry is also an important element of the course. Focus is given to spiritual development of the student, the ministry of discipleship, development of volunteer teams for ministry, fundraising and administration. The role of camping ministry and its implications for discipleship is also emphasized.

ML 615YL • Supervision and Organizational Leadership (Young Life Staff Trng) 4 Credits

This course focuses on the theory, reflection, and practice of effective supervision in ministry. Students will explore the philosophical foundations for effective organizational leadership as well as practical guidance on such issues as personal leadership style, the emotional intelligence of the leader, team building, conflict resolution, interviewing, placement, delegation, supervision, and evaluation.

ML 620YL • Equipping Leaders Who Volunteer (Young Life Staff Training) 4 Credits

This course will provide students with a biblical/theological and theoretical foundation and the practical experience in equipping leaders who volunteer. The course will focus on recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers within the ministry context of several organizations. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the contextual impact of “age and stage.”.

ML 621YL • The Kingdom of God and Cultural Intelligence (Young Life Staff Training) 3 Credits

This course addresses cultural self-awareness and cross-cultural competence for building healthy relationships within diverse communities. Drawing upon biblical, anthropological, sociological and cross-cultural communication theories, students gain basic tools for researching and interacting among a variety of cultural, ethnic, and religious groups.

ML 627YL • Supervision and Organizational Leadership (Young Life Staff Training) 3 Credits

This course focuses on the theory, reflection, and practice of effective supervision in ministry. Students will explore the philosophical foundations for effective organizational leadership as well as practical guidance on such issues as personal leadership style, the emotional intelligence of the leader, team building, conflict resolution, interviewing, placement, delegation, supervision, and evaluation.

ML 670 • Directed Study in Ministry Leadership 0.5-9 Credits

Research and study by arrangement with the professor.
Special Notes: Permission is required.

ML 682 • Missional Innovation (Gateway Church) 3 Credits

For transfer only from Gateway Church. God's heart for every nation, people group, and tribe means His message of faith, love, and hope should be communicated in light of the context. The Apostle Paul seemed to use different methods in the different places he would travel even as his message remained the same. Whether he was in Athens, Berea, Thessalonika, or any other location, Paul strategically communicated the message of Jesus in way that was contextually appropriate. In fact, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 the following: "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” If we are rejected, we want to be rejected because of the message rather than because of our methods or cultural insensitivity. We all know people who were “persecuted” because of their obvious lack of relational intelligence (and sometimes we have fallen into that trap), but we want to make sure we don’t create any barriers between us and the message of God.

ML 685 • Gateway Cultivate Experience (Gateway Church) 9 Credits

For transfer only from Gateway Church. "Cultivate" is a proprietary process, built on software designed for individualized instruction in entrepreneurial contexts, and delivered by Gateway Leaders. It is framed as 60 sequenced learning experiences, which lead students through a learning/application/reflection process integrating 12 key themes. These experiences contribute toward the goal of building successful church plants. It is intended only for the Gateway Leaders Church Planting concentration in the MAMP and MDiv programs.

ML 699PT • Portfolio in Ministry Leadership 0.5-6 Credits

Portfolio course of preselected topics within an existing course in the field of Ministry Leadership.
Special Notes: Portfolio courses are created upon request with permission by an overseeing Program Director.

ML 772 • Seminar in Ministry Leadership 2 Credits

A Master of Divinity or Doctor of Ministry concentration course; an in-depth study of a particular Ministry Leadership theme.
Special Notes: Fulfills DMin elective requirements. Prior completion of ML 540 recommended.

ML 774 • Seminar in Ministry Leadership 4 Credits

A Master of Divinity or Doctor of Ministry concentration course; an in-depth study of a particular Ministry Leadership theme.
Special Notes: Fulfills DMin elective requirements. Prior completion of ML 540 recommended.

ML 795A • Thesis Proposal 2 Credits

Development of a thesis proposal and prospectus. Survey of existing research and delineation of tentative argument and preliminary bibliography. To be developed in consultation and under supervision of a faculty member as thesis advisor.
Special Notes: Approval of faculty member in relevant discipline is required.

ML 795B • Thesis Writing 4 Credits

Implementation of research plan, under the supervision of thesis advisor and with input from a second reader. To include survey of existing research and thesis that is well argued and supported by the literature.
Prerequisites: ML 795A.

ML 810 • Personal Well-Being and Ministry Effectiveness 4 Credits

Ministry remains a marathon rather than a sprint. This course will help you build the character and the foundation necessary to experience long-lasting personal transformation, rejuvenation, and create a plan for transforming others. Jesus gave us a great example of how to do this. Knowing who He was, where He came from, and where He was going, Jesus chose to serve by washing the disciple’s feet (John 13:3-4). Along the same lines, you will discover your identity, core values, calling, and your path towards personal rejuvenation and effectiveness. The specific expectations of the course project will be approved by the course instructor.
Prerequisites:GS 801.

ML 812 • Theological and Organizational Approaches to Discipleship and Missions 4 Credits

Concentration content course to fulfill DMin requirement for Church Leadership.
Prerequisites: GS 801. Special Notes: This course will fulfill concentration requirements for CL concentration students or an elective requirement for other concentrations.

ML 815 • Innovation and Change for Long-term Ministry Effectiveness 4 Credits

Concentration content course to fulfill DMin requirement for either Congregation and Family Care or Church Leadership.
Prerequisites: GS 801. Special Notes: This course will fulfill concentration requirements for CFC or CL concentration students or an elective requirement for other concentrations.

ML 826 • The Transformed and Transforming Leader 4 Credits

This course is designed to facilitate personal reflection for transformational ministry leaders. Effective transformational leadership begins with effective self-leadership. While theories associated with self-leadership will be explored in light of general leadership theory, the emphasis of this course will be on the individual student’s reflective journey throughout the course. Because, for better or worse, leaders cast their shadow on many people inside and outside of their organizations, a commitment to personal and spiritual transformation will be a high priority for students in this Doctor of Ministry program and course. The specific expectations of the course project will be approved by the course instructor.
Prerequisites:GS 801.

ML 827 • Transformational Ministry Leadership: Theory and Practice 4 Credits

Focused on providing an introduction to the theory and practice of transformational ministry leadership, this course will expose students to foundational leadership and organizational theories, encourage thoughtful reflection on the nature of studying leadership from a Christian perspective, introduce students to the priorities and expectations of doctoral studies, and challenge students to implement empowering models of leadership in their unique leadership contexts. The specific expectations of the course project will be approved by the course instructor.
Prerequisites: GS 801.

ML 862 • Topics in Ministry Leadership 4 Credits

Concentration content course to fulfill DMin requirement when paired with the corresponding project course, ML 862P. Concentration topic varies based on scheduling and student interest.

ML 862P • Project in Ministry Leadership 4 Credits

Concentration project course to fulfill DMin requirement.
Prerequisites: ML 862.

ML 870 • Directed Study in Ministry Leadership 1-9 Credits

Research and study by arrangement with the professor.
Special Notes: Permission is required.

ML 899PT • Portfolio in Ministry Leadership 0.5-6 Credits

Portfolio course of preselected topics within an existing course in the field of Ministry Leadership.
Special Notes: Portfolio courses are created upon request with permission by an overseeing Program Director.

ML 923 • Leading Transforming Organizations 4 Credits

Focused on the role of executive leaders in churches and organizations, this course explores the application and impact of transformational leadership at an organizational level. Complementing self, dyadic, and team-oriented leadership theories, a focus on systems thinking at both the organizational and working group levels will be engaged alongside the executive ministry leader’s role in empowering others within the context of organizational leadership. In addition to examining the executive leader’s role in facilitating organizational transformation, the leader’s role of working with boards, working over distance and culture, managing conflict and crucial conversations well, and engaging with effective communication practice will be considered. The course will also introduce students to the priorities and expectations of doctoral studies. The specific expectations of the course project will be approved by the course instructor.
Prerequisites: GS 801.

ML 924 • Teams, Groups and the Transforming Leader 4 Credits

The course is focused on the art and practice of team leadership. Research and theories associated with effective team leadership will be explored. Special attention will be given to the biblical foundations for decentralized leadership structures, and students will consider the opportunities and challenges associated with teams in contemporary organizations. Factors associated with effective team members will be explored alongside strategies for effective team development and team practice. The course will also introduce students to priorities and expectations of doctoral studies. The specific expectations of the course project will be approved by the course instructor.
Prerequisites: GS 801.