The church and its agencies worldwide are facing growing challenges to an effective ministry in a rapidly-changing world. When asked what the root causes are, the most often given answer focuses on ineffective leadership. The felt need for change in this crucial area is widespread, especially among younger, emerging leaders. For this to happen, however, existing theological premises, cultural mores, and leadership practices must be challenged radically from the perspectives of scripture as well as the lessons to be learned from the broader world of management and the behavioral sciences. The servant leadership exemplified by the Lord Jesus Christ is the central organizing paradigm for this module, and the primary outcomes for each participant will be (1) a thorough understanding of servanthood in theological and historical context; (2) a personal assessment and appropriation of the foundational principles of servanthood, and (3) a comprehensive application to your present or proposed ministry.

The purpose of this module is to prepare Christian leaders to facilitate training like DAI’s course material in their own context that results in changed hearts and practice that is consistent with adult learning methodology.

This course deals among other issues about women and their role in leadership. It is about thinking through what you believe about God’s original plans and purposes in the creation of man and woman. It allows you to explore why you believe what you believe and if you need to consider changes. We believe it sets the stage to discover God’s purposes for the Church and His Kingdom here on earth as it relates to the different genders.

Most who find themselves in positions of Christian leadership throughout the world have little or no background in managing either personal or organizational finances from a scriptural perspective. The purpose of this module is develop scriptural principles of integrity and financial stewardship which then are applied to both personal and organizational financial contexts. The learner will develop competencies in understanding basic book keeping, interpretation of financial statements, and financial management.

Practical skills are developed in Research Methodology. This helps students to become an informed user of research in the process of strategic planning and evaluation. This is accomplished through the experience of actual participation in all stages of research design. In the process students will be exposed to research applications in a variety of contexts and develop practical, working knowledge of research terms and concepts. They also will be equipped to undertake relatively uncomplicated research studies in their practical context.

Spiritual Formation for Christian Leaders is designed for Christian leaders who've settled many of the basic issues of Christian discipleship, find themselves longing for increased depth and authenticity in their relationship with Christ, and who are willing to take costly steps to open themselves in new ways to allow God to meet them and transform them. The units are designed to engage the learner involving both thoughtful engagement in written and audio materials and the intentional practice of spiritual exercises. A weekly journal will be kept and periodic reflective writing will focus and express new learning and commitments.

One needs only pick up the newspaper to see the damage that unethical leaders do to organizations, people’s lives and public confidence in institutions. This course goes far deeper than news stories and popular books. The study of ethics is about what we should do and what we should be – right, wrong, good, evil and the relationship of humans to each other and to their creator. By understanding the ethical challenges of leadership, students will gain significant insights into what it takes to be a highly effective leader.

While the introductory course in Research Methodology deals with the theoretical aspect of research this project is an applied practical mini project that students write as part of the Research Methodology course. It deals with a practical aspect of their environment at work or in their society and could be a lead into the final dissertation.

This course focuses on the design, implemention, and follow up on various methods of fundraising, including issues on proposals writing, and the aspects on raising support locally.

The course looks at mentoring & coaching from a biblical and management perspective. By defining the differences between mentoring and coaching is becomes clear that both are needed in any organization or ministry. The course identifies the roles and competencies of both mentors and mentees (which apply as well to coaching) and helps students to learn many different skills that are required in a mentoring or coaching situation, like listening skills, giving and receiving effective feedback, using influence and your own story as a mentoring tool among others. Based on the theory of mulitple intelligences it helps the student to discover his/ her different learning styles. Other aspects of the course deal with successful mentoring or coaching relationships and ways to establish formal mentoring programs in an organization. In addition the course gives a clear framwork for leadership coaching and many practical tools to be used in a coaching realtionship.

Who are you? The concept of identity and its relationship to self, group, organization and culture is one of the most powerful forces leaders confront today. We see ourselves and are seen by others in a range of dynamic identities: age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, class, nationality, etc. Identity can change over historical periods, across cultures, through a life cycle. Managing the tensions between identity and identification is a complex and often unconscious negotiation that leaders must embrace if they are to succeed in multicultural settings and global environment. How do identities take on “currency” that either empowers or excludes? An adept leader in today’s world needs knowledge, experience and skills to facilitate work. But a world-class leader understands unconscious forces that impede work and can deploy strategies to transform them. This module helps to understand these dynamics and offers ways to build understanding and cooperation across cultural or other boundaries.

Participants will have selected a research project to undertake that will benefit their current work experience and incorporate the methodologies taught and the content derived from each of the modules undertaken as part of their masters program. This research project offers a unique opportunity for students to use what they have learned in the program and to make a contribution to leadership research and/or its practice in a community or organization. Students will choose a topic for further exploration that is meaningful for their professional and/or personal development. Students take on the responsibility of designing and carrying out research that culminates in a thesis and formal presentation before module facilitators and peers. The research project aims to help students apply what they have learned in the program to practice, to research areas of special interest, to realize their personal learning goals, to synthesize what they have learned in the Master’s Program and to increase their depth of knowledge about leadership through research.

The course develops a comprehensive biblical and theological perspective on partnerships and the strategic importance for organizations and ministries to work together. For those organizations considering engaging in a partnership the course gives clear and comprehensive steps how to explore partnership opportunities, launch and develop the partnership to operate effectively. Issues that make partnerships work and skills to succeed like team work, dealing with conflict and building trust are explored in detail in this course. Finally the course gives advice in evaluating the outcomes of partnerships to make sure that the goals are achieved.

Every organization and group of people experiences conflict. To be a successful leader you need to know how to use it constructively. This module will address the individual and group dynamics of getting to common ground. It will analyze the nature of conflict, how it develops in individuals, relationships , and within an organization. Students will examine methodologies for intervening and managing conflict constructively.

Provides a study of the principles and practices of transformational development within the context of a deeper analysis of poverty and the various theories of development.