course template guidelines

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1 Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary COURSE TEMPLATE E1314 Administration & Church Growth

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS: 2 Grade Type: X A/F

_____ P/F

PREREQUISITES: None REQUIRED FOR DEGREES: MAEL, DEL, MDiv, DpTh LISTED FACULTY: Dr. Gainey, Dr. Dodrill, Dr. Kelly, Dr. Shera Melick DEPARTMENT APPROVAL: 09/11 COURSE TITLE AND DESCRIPTION An introduction to basic principles and methods of administration and church growth. Unique aspects of biblical administration and church growth as applied to church, parachurch organizations, and denomination will be explored. Current resources and techniques are examined. REQUIRED COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES 1) At the conclusion of the semester, the student will be able to demonstrate competence in practical skills for Administration: Administration: (C7, C10, MAEL DO5) • A student is capable of applying administrative skills to manage the physical resources of the church or organization. 2) At the conclusion of the semester, the student will be able to demonstrate competence in practical skills for Church Growth: Church Growth (M16, R19, MAELDO5) • A student is capable of applying administrative skills to lead a local church to grow. • A student will gain comprehension of multi-cultural administration and church growth • A student is capable of applying administrative skills to manage the human resources of the church or organization.

2 MANDATORY ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES GGBTS engages in regular assessment of its academic programs. Student participation is essential to this process through the following three activities.

1. ePortfolio Reflections - All degree-seeking students must reflect on the work completed as part of required courses by commenting upon the manner in which the course contributed to his/her growth in relation to five Essential Leadership Characteristics selected by the student and referenced in the syllabus under Course Learning Outcomes. These reflections must be recorded in the student's ePortfolio and a copy emailed to the professor no later than the last scheduled meeting of the class. 2. CoursEval Assessments – Each semester a link to a CoursEval survey for each course taken will appear in the student's MyGGBTS page. Students are required to complete this online evaluation of course/instructor no later than the last scheduled meeting of the class. A summary of results (without student ID) is released to the professor only after grades have been submitted for the course. 3. ePortfolio Artifacts – The syllabi of certain courses identify specific assignments which the student will both turn in to the professor for a grade AND attach to their ePortfolio as a "learning artifact." The institution reviews these artifacts as a way of judging the effectiveness of the Seminary's academic program. The review normally occurs after the student's graduation and without reference to student identity. Students are encouraged to remove title page or header/footer containing their name prior to attaching the artifact to their ePortfolio. Seminary Policy on Academic Credit and Workload Expectations For each hour of academic credit granted for a GGBTS face-to-face, hybrid or online course, the Seminary assigns a workload of approximately 45 clock hours of academic learning activities per academic credit hour earned. Traditional in- class format normally apportions 15 hours of in-class instruction and 30 hours of instructional exercises to be completed outside of class meetings per credit hour granted. For androgogical reasons, individual courses may adjust the ratio of assignments inside and outside class meetings.

REQUIRED COURSE COMPONENTS The student will be exposed to the following basic subject areas: Administration:

3 • •

Biblical Foundations of Organization and Administration Stewardship o Annual Budget Planning o Fund Raising o Member Contributions o Tax Records for Pastors o Self-employment issues for Pastors and staff • Management o Personnel Issues o Ministry Operations Protocol o Personnel Policies o Risk and Liability Management o Insurance o Issues for church facilities o Vehicles o Record Keeping o Evaluation of Programs • Baptist Polity o Constitution and By-Laws o Church-wide organization o Church Council o Deacons o Models of Governance o Business Meeting o Robert Rules of Order o Denomination • Church-wide Calendaring and Coordination o Strategic Planning o Long-range Planning o Short-range Planning • Staffing o Discovery o Enlistment o Job Descriptions o Development o Evaluation o Firing Church Growth: • Biblical Foundations of Church Growth and Health • Assessing Needs and Demographic Data • Impact of cultural diversity as relates to church growth • Principles of Church Growth The student will demonstrate affective growth in the following areas: • Value the spiritual walk of a godly Administrator • Appreciate the importance of planning and organizing

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Appreciate the importance of Administrating like Jesus Commitment to Church Growth

REQUIRED ASSESSMENT MECHANISM (E1314 Church Administration and Church Growth) Artifact evaluating MAELDO1, MAELDO4 and MAELDO5: Students will investigate a ministry and evaluate it against the administration and church growth principles taught in this course. The student will write a summary paper including: description of ministry setting, strengths and weaknesses, and a strategy for improvement. Evaluation Rubric for Church Leadership and Administration Artifact Categories No Credit Below Meets Expectations Expectation Ministry setting description Budget Planning: identify strengths and weaknesses w/ plan for improvement

None Did not address

25%

Personnel Policies: identify strengths and weaknesses w/ plan for improvement

Did not address

20%

Risk/Liability Management:

Did not address

Insufficient

Adequate

Exceeds Expectation

Application details for Incomplete At least one At least one strengths/weaknesses strength and strength and or inappropriate one weakness one weakness strategy for w/ adequate w/ detailed improvement suggestion for strategy for improvement improvement that reflects that reflects understanding understanding of of administration administration principles principles exceptionally well Incomplete At least one At least one strengths/weaknesses strength and strength and or inappropriate one weakness one weakness strategy for w/ adequate w/ detailed improvement suggestion for strategy for improvement improvement that reflects that reflects understanding understanding of of administration administration principles principles exceptionally well Incomplete At least one At least one strengths/weaknesses strength and strength and

5 identify strengths and weaknesses w/ plan for improvement

or inappropriate strategy for improvement

15%

Constitution & Bylaws: identify strengths and weaknesses w/ plan for improvement

Did not address

20%

Model of Governance: identify strengths and weaknesses w/ plan for improvement

Did not address

10%

Church-wide organization, calendaring, coordination: identify strengths and weaknesses w/ plan for improvement

Did not address

one weakness w/ adequate suggestion for improvement that reflects understanding of administration principles

one weakness w/ detailed strategy for improvement that reflects understanding of administration principles exceptionally well Incomplete At least one At least one strengths/weaknesses strength and strength and or inappropriate one weakness one weakness strategy for w/ adequate w/ detailed improvement suggestion for strategy for improvement improvement that reflects that reflects understanding understanding of of administration administration principles principles exceptionally well Incomplete At least one At least one strengths/weaknesses strength and strength and or inappropriate one weakness one weakness strategy for w/ adequate w/ detailed improvement suggestion for strategy for improvement improvement that reflects that reflects understanding understanding of of administration administration principles principles exceptionally well Incomplete At least one At least one strengths/weaknesses strength and strength and or inappropriate one weakness one weakness strategy for w/ adequate w/ detailed improvement suggestion for strategy for improvement improvement that reflects that reflects understanding understanding of of

6 10%

administration principles

administration principles exceptionally well

SUGGESTED OTHER LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS I. Two Book Reviews: The two required texts chosen for this course. The papers will be a minimum of six typed pages for each Book Review, and double-spaced. The Reviews will include: Definitions, Methods, Practices, examples and theory. Due Date: (no exceptions) Total points: II

Vocabulary Quizzes and class Participation– The professor can use the vocabulary from the reading assignments for that day, or in class assignments. There is no make up if you are absent for these activities. Total points:

III.

Midterm exam:

IV.

Final exam:

V. Internet Component: a. The professor will post a question Monday through Thursday, after the last class. The questions will deal with Church Growth and/or Administration. b. Each student will have the responsibility of responding to the question from research they have done, as well as responding to the comments of three of their classmates. Everyone’s responses will be displayed, but students would need to only respond to three (or number chosen by the professor) of their classmates each day. c. The responses will be at least two paragraphs, and state if they agree or disagree with their classmates, as well as what is their sources. ONLINE DISCUSSIONS EVALUATION CRITERIA CATEGORY “Drifter” “Contributor” “Valuable pts pts Contributor” pts Occasionally Often presents Contribution Does not make effort to makes meaningful reflections that to the group participate in reflection on become central to learning group’s efforts; the group’s community as marginal effort to discussion;

“Excellence in contributing” pts Consistently presents creative reflections on topic; aware of needs of

POINTS 20

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Relevance of the post

Expression w/in the post

Delivery of the post

Promptness & initiative

it develops; seems indifferent

become involved w/group

interacts freely and encourages others

Posts topics which do not relate to the discussion content; makes irrelevant remarks Does not express opinions or ideas clearly; no connection to the topic

Occasionally posts off topic; most posts offer no further insight into the topic

Posts are related to discussion topic; makes some connections with readings

Unclear connection to topic evidenced in minimal expression of opinions or ideas

Opinions and ideas are stated clearly with occasional lack of connection to topic

Utilizes poor spelling & grammar in most posts; posts appear “hasty” Does not respond to most postings; rarely participates freely

Errors in spelling and grammar evidenced in several posts

Few grammatical or spelling errors are noted in posts

Responds to most postings several days after initial discussion; limited initiative

Responds promptly to most postings; requires occasional prompting to post

community; frequently prompts further discussion of topic Posts consistently are related to discussion topic; brings readings into discussion; cites additional references related to topic Expresses opinions and ideas in a clear and concise manner with obvious connection to topic Consistently uses grammatically correct posts with rare misspellings

Responds promptly to postings; demonstrates good self-initiative

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Courtesy: Richard Nysse, Ph.D., Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. Adapted from “If You Build It, They Will Come: Building Learning Communities Through Threaded Discussions” by Susan Edelstein and Jason Edward [http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/spring51/edelstein51.html] and [http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage/sub_page.cfm?section=4&list_item=3&page=3].

SUGGESTED GRADING: Grades will be determined by the successful achievement of total points. Grades will be assessed as follows: A 500 – 530 A- 475– 499

B+ 450 – 474

B- 400 – 424

C 350 – 374

D 300 - 324

B 425 – 449

C+ 375 - 399

C- 325 - 349

F Under 300

SUGGESTED OTHER ASSESSMENT MECHANISMS

8 DELIVERY FORMAT A variety of teaching methods and components are acceptable and should include critical thinking and information literacy. A combination of all face-to-face activities must equal 30 contact hours and a combination of all assignments must equal 60 hours of individual study and preparation. If taught as an online or hybrid delivery format, the total quantities of hours still apply.

REQUIRED RESOURCES Anthony, Michael J. Management Essentials for Christian Ministries. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2005.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES Anthony, Michael J. Management Essentials for Christian Ministries. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2005. Barna, George. Growing True Disciples. Colorado Spring, Colo.: WalterBrook Press, 2001. Bennett, A. Leroy. International Organizations. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2002. Biehl, Bobb. Stop Setting Goals, If You Would Rather Solve Problems. Nashville: Moorings, 1995. Burke, John. No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come as You Are Culture in Your Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005. Elmer, Duane. Cross-Cultural Conflict. Downers Grove, Ill: Intervarsity Press, 1993. Gibbs, Eddie. ChurchNext: Quantum Changes in How We Do Ministry. Downers grove, Ill.: Intervarsity Press, 2000. Lencioni, Patrick. The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive. San

9 Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000. Neighbour, Ralph. Where Do We Go From Here? A Guide for the Cell Group Church. Houston, Tex.: Touch Publications, 1990. Ratliff, Joe S., and Michael J. Cox. Church Planting in the African-American Community. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1993. Schaef, Anne W. The Addictive Organization: Why We Overwork, Cover Up, Pick Up The Pieces, Please the Boss & Perpetuate Sick Organizations. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1988. Senske, Kurt. Executive Values. Minneapolis: Augsburg Books, 2004. Stetzer, Ed. Planting Missional Churches. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Academic, 2006. Wagner, C. Peter. Our Kind of People: The Ethical Dimensions of Church Growth in America. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1979. Warren, Richard. The Purpose-Driven Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995. Welch, Robert. Church Administration. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2005.