GORDON-CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA. Course Syllabus for CL660: Leading and Managing the Christian Non-Profit Organization

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1 GORDON-CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA Course Syllabus for CL660: Leading and Managing the Christian Non-Profit Organization January 20-24, 2014 Alan J. Cellamare, MBA; M. Div.; Th. M.; D. Min o; c Course Description This course is designed to inform and educate students of the need for Christ-centered leadership in a Christian non-profit organization. It will allow students to have learning opportunities in leadership and management theory and practice as well as provide them a theological and biblical framework for leading and managing a non-profit organization. The observation and application of a theological framework for leadership and management theory will help guide the student to success. Course Objectives Discuss how a Biblical worldview informs our understanding of stewardship as it relates to Leading and Managing the Non-Profit Organization Understand a Biblical Theology of Stewardship as it relates to a non-profit agency Define what a non-profit is and explain the contribution it makes to God s kingdom and society Become familiar with leadership and management theory as they relate to a non-profit organization. Identify factors which lead to successful non-profit leadership and management Analyze and critique a non-profit agency Develop a plan to establish a non-profit agency Understand issues of financial accountability in non-profits Identify areas of ethical concern in non-profit leadership and management and how these relate to governing the non-profit Understand the significance of the legal environment of the non-profit Course Outcomes The following outcomes are expected for each student: Through readings, lectures, and class discussions, the student will learn and apply the theoretical and Biblical foundations for non-profit leadership and management. Through research and analysis of an existing non-profit of their choosing, students will understand the application and practice of leadership and management of the non-profit. Through a presentation by a non-profit director, the student will understand the challenges of leading and managing a Christian non-profit organization.

2 Through preparing a 15 page paper, the student will demonstrate the application of class topics in the context of establishing a non-profit organization, or a non-profit audit or helping a non-profit through the creation of a marketing plan. Through presentations by non-profit leaders, the student will learn the importance of proper leadership and management as it relates to the legal, governance and ethical considerations in a non-profit organization. Course Topics A Biblical Theology of Stewardship The Christian Leader and the non-profit Managing the non-profit Organizational Development Marketing the non-profit Funding the non-profit The non-profit and the legal environment Ethics and the non-profit Non-profit governance COURSE REQUIREMENTS Required Textbooks: Coleman, Robert E. The Master Plan of Evangelism. Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell Company (A division of Baker Book House Company), Drucker, Peter F. Managing the Nonprofit Organization: Principles and Practices. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Ford, Leighton. Transforming Leadership: Jesus Way of Creating Vision, Shaping Values and Empowering Change. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Hamel, Gary. The Future of Management. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press, Plantinga, Jr., Cornelius. Engaging God s World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, Page 2

3 Queen, Edwards L. (Editor) Serving Those in Need: A Handbook for Managing Faith- Based Human Service Organizations. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, Inc. Publishers, Rodin, R Scott. The Third Conversion. Colbert, WA: Kingdom Life Publishing, 2011 Substitutes for Required Textbooks: Chambers, Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer. Moody Press, Clinton, Bobby. Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development. NavPress,1988. Blackaby, Henry. Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God s Agenda. B&H Publishing Group, Stearns, Richard. The Hole in Our Gospel. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., Other Required Reading: The website for the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability includes suggested best practice standards for members, member standards and policy templates. Other Suggested Reading List: (see attached bibliography) READING REQUIREMENTS An acceptable level of competence in leading and managing Christian non-profit organizations (including churches) must begin with each student becoming adequately conversant with the broad range of literature including subjects related to Biblical principles of leadership and management and technical areas unique to non-profits. In order to develop a solid and rather diverse familiarity with the voluminous literature, reading for this course should be chosen from the wide variety of materials that is available in this subject area. Students will identify and document specific areas of weakness in your overall understanding of the operations and management of non-profit organizations, and then direct your choice of reading materials to correct that deficit. You may also choose to acquire greater in-depth expertise in a specific area of current vocation and interest and concentrate some of your readings to gain new confidence and strength in that area. A range of reading up to 1,250+ pages, which includes reading the required textbooks in entirety, is expected. The grade equivalents for the reading component are: READING GUIDELINES 750 pages = C 1,000+ = B 1,250+ = A Page 3

4 All readings should be recorded in a log that will become an annotated bibliography. Readings will come from the following sources: 1. The required textbooks should be properly summarized, annotated and counted in the reading log with critical comments. 2. The Other Suggested Reading List `attached to this syllabus. 3. The more extended bibliographies found in the required textbooks or in the books included in the bibliography. 4. Similar literature (including journals and periodicals of your choosing) of relevant, functional and applicable value provided these sources reflect obvious significance to managing non-profit organizations or understanding operational issues relevant to nonprofits. READING LOG (Due March 24, 2014) The student will keep account of all readings by means of a log that shall include an opening paragraph describing the student s self-assessment of areas of interest for further in-depth reading or deficiencies or knowledge gaps. The student will identify how each reading helped to improve their knowledge in the area of non-profit leadership and management. Use this format for each reading: 1. Author(s) and source 2. Title of the book, chapter or journal article 3. Publisher and year of publication 4. Number of pages read by source (also tallied on a final summary sheet) 5. Critical summary of the central ideas and concepts presented with comparative analysis related to information presented in this course. Keep the log consistent with current readings so that some or much of this work can be done prior to the beginning of class. Lengths of these papers tend to correlate with the number of pages read. For instance, a student who reads for a C grade in the reading portion tends to turn in logs less than 10 pages, B grade and A 15+. In addition, evaluation of critical thinking in logs will influence the grade for this portion. RESEARCH PAPER: (Choose 1 option) (Due March 24, 2014) Option 1 - NON-PROFIT AUDIT The student will submit a 15 page audit of a non-profit of their choosing. The audit will include a number of areas crucial to the successful operation of any non-profit organization. A template for the audit will available to guide the students work. Students are urged to go outside the required course readings for references. A title page, outline and bibliography are a part of this submission but not included in the 15 page total. All papers must conform to graduate level writing standards and to APA style (APA 6 th ed.) Option 2 - NON-PROFIT PROFORMA The student will submit a 15 page plan to establish a non-profit organization aimed at meeting a need in God s Kingdom. Theology, theory and principles of leadership and management taken from this course through lectures, discussions, and reading will be vital to securing the highest grade. Students are urged to go outside the required course readings for references. A title Page 4

5 page, outline and bibliography are a part of this plan but not included in the 15 page total. All papers must conform to graduate level writing standards and to APA style (APA 6 th ed.) Option 3 Non-Profit Marketing Plan The student will submit a 15 page marketing plan for a non-profit organization addressing the concepts presented in class as well as the following: Company description Situation analysis Objectives Strategy Marketing programs Assessment and recommendations Option 4 Student Project with faculty guidance The student will submit a one page proposal of a project related to leading and managing a nonprofit for approval by the faculty. A 15 page annotation will be submitted by the student covering significant areas of the project in relationship to course topics. A title page, outline and bibliography are a part of this plan but not included in the 15 page total. All papers must conform to graduate level writing standards and to APA style (APA 6 th ed.) REFLECTION PAPER AND PRESENTATION (paper and presentation) The student is expected to prepare for each class in advance. Each student will prepare a reflection paper and presentation. Each paper will be between 5-8 pages in length (minimum) and include at least 4 sources. Each subtopic must relate to one of the main topics from the syllabus. One example would be the subtopic of teams. This relates to the main topic of management. Another example might the subtopic of charismatic leadership under the main topic of leadership. All papers must conform to graduate level writing standards and to APA style (APA 6 th ed.) or Turabian ( 8 th ed.) depending on your preference. Each student will present findings from this paper to the rest of the class in a 3 to 5 minute, seven slide PowerPoint presentation. Here is a suggested format: The first slide should include the presentation title and your name. The second slide is the presentation introduction, previewing the sub-topic to be covered, the sixth slide is the conclusion, reviewing or recapping the presentation topics. The last slide should list your references in APA format. The third, fourth, and fifth slides should have bullet points (not more than five bullets of five to eight words per bullet) on each slide. The slides should contain (a) the subtopic and how it relates to the main topic, (b) the ways that this subtopic helps to inform the leader and manager in the area of the non-profit, (c) how the subtopic can enhance the role of the non-profit in society. The presentations will be due on Wednesday (Jan. 23 rd ) and Thursday (Jan. 24 th ) depending on the selected topic. The written papers will be due no later than February 15, All topics must be submitted in advance on a first come, first serve basis. Topics will be posted in Sakai. Page 5

6 The style and format of this course is essentially that of a senior seminar that anticipates maximum class input and reflective, thoughtful discussion from the student. The student is expected to attend all class sessions and participate fully in the classroom experience. CLASS PARTICIPATION The student is expected to come to class prepared to discuss those topics scheduled for each session. This will require the student to have completed the readings related to the scheduled topics. Special attention will be paid to the student s ability to add to the discussion through the integration of specific assigned readings, additional resources used and how these have influenced and shaped thinking in these areas. Absences from the class, unless pre-approved by the instructor and other arrangements made, may result in failing the course. GRADING CRITERIA The final grade will reflect the combined efforts of the student as derived from the following sources: 1. Reflection paper/presentation -- 25% 2. Non-Profit Pro-forma or Audit or Marketing Plan --25% 3. Contributions/Participation in Class Discussions --25% 4. Annotated Reading Log --25% Other Suggested Reading List: Andreasen, Alan R. and Kotler, Philip. Strategic Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations, Sixth Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2003 American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author Barna, George. How to Increase Giving in Your Church: A Practical Guide to the Sensitive Task of Raising Money for Your Church or Ministry. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, Bellah, Robert N. Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life. University of California Press, Benowitz, Ellen A. CliffsQuickReview: Principles of Management. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2001 Biehl, Bobb and Engstrom, Ted W. (Increasing Your) Boardroom Confidence. Phoenix, AZ: Questar Publishers, Inc., 1988 Page 6

7 Buckingham, Marcus. The One Thing You Need to Know: About Great Managing, Great Leading, and Sustained Individual Success. New York, NY: Free Press, Busby, Dan. The Zondervan Minister s Tax & Financial Guide: 2006 Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Brinckerhoff, Peter C. Mission-Based Management: Leading Your Not-For-Profit in the 21 st Century (Second Edition). New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Chewning, R. C., Eby, J. W., & Roels, S. J. (1990). Business through the eyes of faith. San Francisco: Harper & Row. ISBN: Collins, James C. and Porras, Jerry I. Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies. New York, NY: HarperBusiness, 1994 Collins, Jim. How the Mighty Fall and Why Some Companies Never Give In. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Drucker, Peter F. The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2006 Ford, Leighton. The Attentive Life: Discerning God s Presence in All Things. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Friedman, Thomas L. The World is Flat: A Brief History of The Twenty-First Century. Union Square West, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Harvard Business Review on Managing People. HBS Press, 1999 Harvard Business Review on Nonprofits. HBS Press, 1999 Herrington, Jim, Bonem, Mike and Furr, James H. Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers, Jeavons, Thomas H. When the Bottom Line is Faithfulness: Management of Christian Service Organizations. Bloomington and Indianapolis, IN: Indiana University Press, Laniak, Timothy S. While Shepherds Watch Their Flock: Rediscovering Biblical Leadership. ShepherdLeader Publications, Lansdowne, David. Fund Raising Realities Every Board Member Must Face: A 1-Hour Crash Course on Raising Major Gifts for Nonprofit Organizations. Medfield, MA: Emerson & Church, Publishers, Lencioni, Patrick. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, Page 7

8 Letts, Christine W., Ryan, William P., and Grossman, Allen. High Performance Nonprofit Organizations: Managing Upstream for Greater Impact. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 1999 Macchia, Stephen A. Becoming a Healthy Church: 10 Traits of a Vital Ministry. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, Macchia, Stephen A. Becoming a Healthy Team: Five Traits of Vital Leadership. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, Oswald, Roy M. and Friedrich, Jr., Robert E. Discerning Your Congregation s Future: A Strategic and Spiritual Approach. Herndon, VA: The Alban Institute, Packer, J.I. Knowing God. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Ruppel, Warren. Not-for-Profit Accounting Made Easy. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Stanley, Andy, Joiner, Reggie and Jones, Lane. 7 Practices of Effective Ministry. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, Inc., 2004 Stearns, Richard. The Hole in Our Gospel. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., Strunk, W. & White, E.B. The Elements of Style (4th ed). New York, NY: Longman, 2000 Willard, Dallas. Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2002 Willmer, Wesley K., Schmidt, J. David, with Smith, Martyn. The Prospering Parachurch: Enlarging the Boundaries of God s Kingdom. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Inc., Publishers, Other Selected Websites: The Nonprofit Quarterly provides thoughtful articles published by the Third Sector New England This website provides a searchable database of more than 1.7 million IRS recognized non-profits. This website provides white papers on effective non-profit governance This website of a national business publication focuses on non-profit management. Page 8

9 This website of the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College provides helpful articles on fundraising and the generational transfer of wealth taking place in the United States. dcd66c1a17fc This website is sponsored by the Council of Better Business Bureaus and this link provides the BBB standards for charity accountability. Syllabus Addendum Academic Standards Cheating and plagiarism are considered serious breaches of personal and academic integrity. Cheating involves, but is not necessarily limited to, the use of unauthorized sources of information during an examination or the submission of the same (or substantially same) work for credit in two or more courses without the knowledge and consent of the instructors. Plagiarism involves the use of another person s distinctive ideas or words, whether published or unpublished, and representing them as one s own instead of giving proper credit to the source. Plagiarism can also involve over dependence on other source material for the scope and substance of one s writing. Such breaches in academic standards often result in a failing grade as well as other corrective measures. For more information, please consult the Student Handbook. ADA Policy The seminary complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A student with a qualifying and authenticated disability who is in need of accommodations should petition the seminary in accordance with the stated guidelines in the Student Handbook. Cancellation of Class In the event the seminary has to cancel a class meeting (impending storm, professor illness, etc.), the Registration Office will send out an (via the GCTS account) notification to all students registered in the respective course. If the cancelation occurs the day of the scheduled meeting, the Registration Office will also attempt to contact students via their primary phone contact on record. The professor will contact the students (via GCTS account) regarding makeup. If a weekend class is cancelled, the class will be made up during the scheduled Make-Up weekend (see the academic calendar for the designated dates). For more info, consult your Student Handbook. Extension Policy Arrangements for submission of late work at a date on or before the last day to submit written work, as noted on the seminary s Academic Calendar, are made between the student and professor. Formal petition to the Registration Office is not required at this time. This includes arrangements for the rescheduling of final exams. Page 9

10 However, course work (reading and written) to be submitted after the publicized calendar due date, must be approved by the Registration Office. An extension form, available online, must be submitted to the Registration Office prior to the last day to submit written work. Requests received after this date will either be denied or incur additional penalty. For a full discussion of this policy, please consult the Student Handbook. Grades Grades are posted on line within twenty-four hours of receipt from the professor. Students are expected to check their CAMS student portal in order to access posted grades. Those individuals who need an official grade report issued to a third party should put their request in writing to the Registration Office. Faculty have six weeks from the course work due date to submit a final grade. Returned Work Work submitted through Sakai will be returned via Sakai since no hard copies will be turned in. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with any hard copy work submitted if you wish to have it returned. Page 10