Christian Leadership: Essentials (LE9741Z)

Postgraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit is designed to assist in the formation of effective Christian leaders for contemporary ministry and mission contexts. Students will critically explore the nature of leadership and ministry practice in the light of biblical theology. Topics may include: leadership qualities, models & styles; leadership as influence; mentoring; visioning, strategic planning, team development, decision-making and effective implementation from a Christian theological and ethical framework; issues of power, authority in decision-making, conflict management; cultural and emotional intelligence; developing healthy leadership practices; building trust and respect.

Unit code: LE9741Z

Unit status: Approved* (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Leadership

Proposing College: Uniting College for Leadership and Theology

Show when this unit is running

Learning outcomes

1.

Critically analyse biblical and theological perspectives on leadership
2.

Exemplify skills for Christian leadership
3.

Propose a range of solutions for leadership issues and scenarios

Unit sequence

A Level 9 unit in postgraduate theology and ministry awards

Pedagogy

Lectures, readings, online exercises, case studies, discussions, creative interaction and/or field trips

Indicative Bibliography

  • Kaldor, Peter, Naomi Nash and Sophie Paterson. Rethinking Leadership. Thousand Lakes, 2017.
  • Nouwen, J.M. Henri. In the Name of Jesus. Crossroad, 1994.
  • Simington, K, and Keith Farmer. Leading Like Jesus: Leadership lessons from the radical rabbi. Arkhouse, 2023.
  • Porter, Jeanne. Leading Ladies: transformative biblical images for women’s leadership. Innisfree Press Inc., 2000.
  • AIGI. Indigenous Governance Toolkit. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership at https://aigi.org.au/toolkit/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-leadership
  • Aigner, Geoff and Liz Skelton. The Australian Leadership Paradox. Allen & Unwin, 2013.
  • Sinek, Simon. Leaders Eat Last: why some teams pull together and others don’t. Penguin, 2014.
  • Livermore, David. Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success. Amacom, 2015.
  • Ferguson, Kirstin. Head & Heart: The art of modern leadership. Penguin, 2023.
  • Kleiner, Art, Jeffrey Schwartz and Josie Thomson. The Wise Advocate: The Inner Voice of Strategic Leadership. Columbia University Press, 2019.

Assessment

This unit has provisional approval. Assessment details are currently under review and may change before final approval. Please contact the relevant College for further information.

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Project Report or Project Journal - Leadership Project

Students are required to design and implement a short-term Leadership Project within their current ministry or leadership context. The project should address a genuine need or opportunity that strengthens or enhances leadership practice.

 3000 0.5
Oral Presentation - Case Study Presentation

As the Leadership Project develops, students will identify two or three significant leadership challenges or issues encountered in practice. These will form the basis of a case study that is presented orally.

 1500 0.25
Forum - Online Forum

Students will contribute to an online discussion forum throughout the first half of the semester, reflecting on their developing understanding of the biblical and theological dimensions of leadership.

 1500 0.25
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 29 Oct, 2025

Unit record last updated: 2026-11-11 16:43:06 +1100