Church: Living System and SacramentCourse Level: Advanced

Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's. Click here for more information about CEU's.

• Develop and begin to integrate understanding of the information gathered in the courses required for this certificate, making connections among ecclesiology, Christology, and organizational/leadership theories
• Develop some capacity for systems thinking and the skills needed to produce more communally effective and personally satisfying lay ecclesial leadership
• Apply systems concepts to concrete situations in lay ecclesial ministry
• Be more conscious of how oneself as a system affects one’s participation in other living systems
• Become committed to the lifelong learning demanded of the effective leader inside and outside the faith community
• Increased competence and appreciation for online learning through the Discussion Boards

• Required Book: The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World Boston: Harvard Business Press, 2009 ISBN: 978-1422105764
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• Week 1: Breaking Camp
  • Bring forward the students’ learning from the previous Certificate courses as a starting point and motivation for understanding something about systems
  • Engage students with each others’ thinking and perspectives in dealing with the challenges of lay ecclesial ministry
  • Assist students to begin seeing systems at work in their situations
  • Deepen appreciation for communal learning through the Discussion Boards
• Week 2: Seeing Systems
  • Learn about the origins of “systems thinking”
  • Grasp some generic systems concepts and how to use them
  • Deepen our learning through dialogue on the discussion boards
• Week 3: Lay Ecclesial Ministry: Leading "From The Side"
  • Deepen the student’s understanding of the difference between adaptive and technical challenges in the parish or diocesan setting
  • Consider how a systems understanding of “time” supports effective intervention
  • Grasp the importance and power of “diagnosing” an organizational situation before defining the “problem”
  • Consider a practical way to design effective interventions
  • Grow in awareness of what has to change in oneself before one can influence change in one’s organizational setting
  • Make applications in daily life situation
• Week 4: Getting Practical
  • Consider how a systems understanding of “time” supports effective intervention
  • Consider a practical way to design effective interventions
  • Make applications in daily life situation
• Week 5: Packing Up and Moving On
  • Reinforce the mosaic character of leadership
  • Stimulate courage and creativity in meeting the challenge of lay ecclesial ministry
  • Gather and share some final thoughts with your colleagues