Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/844635
135 EL 1211 Staying Alive as a Leader Students explore the premise that a leader's own personal journey of faith and his or her own continued growth in emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health is the most critical component in responding to the challenging ministry realities in today's world. What it means to be a leader of a mission-shaped congregation and/or Christian organization is discussed as well as some of the seminal issues facing leaders and the communities they serve. Also considered are the personal attributes and ministry skills necessary to survive and thrive over time. Three hours. EL 1212 Navigating the Minefields of Ministry Students are encouraged to engage in self-examination through dialogue with peers and class instructors in order to help see themselves and their ministries more clearly. Problems and challenges that are common to ministry are examined, as well as strategies to help make leadership and ministry more sustainable and satisfying in the future. Three hours. EL 1213 Leading a Community in Spiritual Formation Students learn how to follow the path of Jesus so that an entire congregation or community can be spiritually formed and led to mission in the world. This seminar emphasizes leading entire ecclesial communities in spiritual formation, drawing on the leader's own formation while respecting where others are in their spiritual journeys. Students learn how spiritual formation can become the means to move God's people to accomplish the ministry to which he is calling them. Three hours. EL 1214 Dynamics of Organizational Communication Students explore the ways organizations communicate and fail to communicate. Topics include how verbal and nonverbal language communicates core values, how vision and direction are caught or missed, and legal issues: clergy-penitent privilege, mandatory reporting, financial records (and who has access to them), counseling notes, what can be subpoenaed; expectations for staff use of social media; conflict management amid electronic communication; privacy or accessibility of phones, laptops, etc. Three hours. EL 1215 Responding to Ministry's Complex Relationships The diverse and complex relationships in today's world require a response from churches and ministries. The range of possible topics includes pastoral and professional relationships, conflict management, parenting children and adolescents, ministry to those dealing with broken homes, substance abuse, addictive behaviors, domestic violence, mental illness, and other situations. Students will have the opportunity to explore in depth a particular topic by working through the phases of need assessment, researching existing resources, developing a contextualized program, and assessing options for program evaluation and revision. Three hours. EL 1216 Ministry in a Sexually Broken Culture An exploration of healthy and maladaptive human sexuality from biological, psychological, sociological, theological, and familial perspectives. Topics include issues of gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, sexual behavior, pornography, sexual disorders and addictions, and resources for ministry and pastoral care. Biblical perspectives are affirmed within the context of socio-cultural trends, values, and norms. Students will address issues that are relevant to the populations with whom they work. Three hours.