LARC - Leadership and Administration Resource Center
INTRODUCTION TO RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION
Welcome to the resource center for teaching introductory courses in religious leadership and administration. Here you will find book references, articles (for download where possible), writing assignments, and the syllabus that I use (and revise) regularly in teaching.
This page is organized around major topical areas of my introductory course,
with links to course materials.
Course Information
This course explores the nature and purpose of churches and religious institutions as organizations, viewing them through four interpretive frameworks: cultural, relational, political, and productive. We develop a practical theology of leadership grounded in organizational studies and ecclesiology. Case studies from today's congregations give us fresh vision of issues in administration and leadership. We focus on ways that ministry and mission is shaped and advanced through structure, planning, and stewardship of resources. We study the church as an association dependent on effectiveness in volunteerism, group process, constructive conflict, and use of staff, time, and money.
Introduction
- Readings
- Thomas Edward Frank, The Soul of the Congregation, p. 1-56.
- Assignments
- Lectures
- "The Art & Practice of Administration"
Congregations
- Readings
- Thomas Edward Frank, The Soul of the Congregation, p. 57-100.
- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, African American Church Growth, pp. 1-54, 95-152.
- Thomas Edward Frank, The Soul of the Congregation, p. 168-175.
- Charles Cosgrove and Dennis Hatfield, Church Conflict, pp. 1-122.
- Joyce K. Fletcher, "Relational Practice," Disappearing Acts: Gender, Power, and Relational Practice at Work. MIT Press, 1999. pp. 1-24.
- Martha Ellen Stortz, PastorPower, pp. 1-130.
- Peter M. Senge, "The Leader's New Work: Building Learning Organizations," Sloan Management Review. Fall 1990. pp. 7-23.
- Jonathan Gosling & Henry Mintzberg, "The Five Minds of the Manager," Harvard Business Review. November 2003. pp. 54-63.
- Lectures
- "Congregations as Cultural Systems"
- "Congregations and Cultural Communities, Leading Congregational Cultures"
- "Congregations as Family Systems"
- "Leadership of Men and Women"
- "Congregations as Political Systems"
- "Congregations as Productivity Systems"
- Assignment
- 2 page review of a project from the National Institute in Church Finance and Administration
Congregational Leaders
- Readings
- Donald N. Sull, "Managing By Commitments," Harvard Business Review. June 2003. pp. 82-91.
- Rosabeth Moss Kanter, "Leadership and the Psychology of Turnarounds," Harvard Business Review. June 2003. pp. 57-67.
- Charles Cosgrove and Dennis Hatfield, Church Conflict, pp. 123-186.
- Miss Manners, "In Praise of Boundaries," Harvard Business Review. December 2003. pp. 41-45.
- Lectures
- "Leaders as Stewards of Congregational Systems"
- "Conflict & Consensus Building: Constituents and Staff"
- Assignment
- 5 page report on your observation and administrative reflections on a church organizational event or meeting, including a brief interview with a pastor, staff person, or lay leader.
Stewardship
- Readings
- Patrick H. McNamara, More than Money: Portraits of Transformative Stewardship, pp. 69-83, 97-117.
- Marlene Wilson, How to Mobilize Church Volunteers, pp. 1-Appendix
- Thomas Edward Frank, The Soul of the Congregation, p. 103-119, 161-168.
- Thomas Edward Frank, The Soul of the Congregation, p. 119-157.
- Lectures
- "Stewardship of Financial Resources"
- "Legal Issues in Administration"
- "Stewardship of People"
- "Stewardship of Time"
- "Stewardship of Space"
- Assignment
- 4 page review of a book in church administration and leadership
Assignments
- Book Review
- Case Study Presentation
- Project Review
- Report on an Administrative Meeting
- Midterm Exam
- Final Exam
Case Studies
- Article: Writing Case Studies in Leadership
- Case Study 1: Let the Dead Bury the Dead
- Case Study 2: A Bitter-Sweet Gift
- Case Study 3: Stay or Go: An Associate's Dilemma
- Case Study 4: I Hate You
- Case Study 5: The Tenant and the Old City Church
- Case Study 6: Grappling with a Key Church Leader (Power Play)
- Case Study 7: Nurturing and Disciplining Staff Members
- Case Study 8: The Challenge of the Militant Peacemakers
- Case Study 9: Love Thy Neighbor
- Case Study 10: The Great Seat Settlement
- Case Study 11: Nowhere to Turn
- Case Study 12: This Old House
Online Resources
BUILDING AND SITE PRESERVATION
- The Beltline Partnership
This 22-mile track of railroad encircling downtown and midtown Atlanta is the focus of urban planning to increase green space and mobility for the city's quickly growing population. - Church Restoration Group
Provides construction and renovation services to churches, including recovery planning for congregations that survived natural disasters. - International Committee on Monuments
and Sites
The international organization (associated with UNESCO) that sponsors research and advocacy for preservation of historic sites, including many religious structures and landscapes. Library of Congress Historic Resources
A guide to photo and other historical collections in the American Memory site of Library of Congress. - National Trust
for Historic Preservation
Preservation site with links to Preservation magazine, books, and information. - Partners for Sacred
Places, Philadelphia, PA.
Provides research and planning materials for congregations with older facilities to help them assess their value to surrounding communities and find resources such as foundation grants to help renovate and preserve historic structures; individual and institutional memberships available. - The
Reuse of Historic Places of Worship
A collection of case studies from the National Trust of Historic Preservation regarding the conversion of churches and other worship spaces for a variety of uses. -
Rural African American Church Survey Project
Tennessee's Center for Historical Preservation works with Middle Tennessee State University to preserve rural churches in the African-American Heritage. - Sizemore Group
An Atlanta architecture firm with a mission of sustainable design, including religious structures.
CONGREGATIONAL STUDIES
- Alban Institute, Washington, DC.
Offers extensive publications on many specific aspects of administration, planning and leadership development; workshops held in all regions of the US; consultants available to work with congregations and agencies; newsletter "Congregations" available for subscription. - American Religion Data Archive
A source of quantitative data on churches, memberships, and religious groups (congregations, individuals, and denominations). Funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. - Center
for Congregations
Books, articles, links, and resources from the Center for Congregations in Indianapolis, affliated with the Alban Institute. - Hartford Institute
for Religion Research
Dr. Scott Thumma, Hartford Seminary; links to many useful ethnographic and sociological studies of congregations and denominations, religious trends in the USA; bibliography on congregational studies. - Lilly
Endowment research projects
Reports on congregational and denominational research studies supported by the Lilly Endowment.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
- Eco-Justice
An ecumenical agency that provides resources for churches raising awareness of social justice in environmental issues. - Eco-Justice Articles of Clark Atlanta
University
A database of articles regarding ecojustice issues, specifically in the African American community. - Environmental Stewardship
An emerging network of resources for congregations to improve their stewardship of natural resources. - Evangelical Environmental Network
Resources for individuals, congregations, and communities seeking to raise natural and spiritual awareness of environmental issues. Also the home of Creation Care magazine. - Episcopal Ecological Network
A network of individuals and congregations within the Episcopal Church USA that educate and promote stewardship of the earth. - Georgia Interfaith Power and Light
A site for communities of faith to learn more about becoming good stewards of creation. Includes resources for energy efficiency, worship, and religious education surrounding environmental issues. - Keeping It Wild
An effort by the Wilderness Society to promote awareness of Southeastern wild lands and to recognize African American leadership in conservation. -
Piedmont Project, Emory
Site for Emory's own interdisciplinary initiative on stewardship of natural resources and a sustainable society. - Presbyterians for Restoring Creation
A national, grassroots organization formed by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to educate individuals and congregations on eco-justice. - The Regeneration Project
National site for religious communities seeking to raise awareness of energy conservation and renewal.
RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION
- Center for Parish Development,
Chicago, IL
Offers a variety of seminars in church development, including missions, leadership training, education, worship and planning; consultants available to work with congregations and agencies; newsletter "Transformation" available for subscription. - Church Administrators'
Chatroom
Queries and responses from church administrators on policies, procedures, and decisions in the daily operations of local church congregations. - eMinistry Newsletter
Consulting and resources for electronic ministries, specializing in megachurches and non-profits. - Harvard Business School
Resources in organizational management and leadership. - Institute for Church Administration
and Management, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA
Extensive program of seminars and workshops oriented toward the particular needs and situations of African American churches, with emphasis on lay and pastoral leadership development in areas of church administration, finance, and planning for mission. - Journal of Religious Leadership and
other Resources for Christian leaders
Professor Scott Cormode, Claremont School of Theology; a web page with links to a wide range of articles on leadership, as well as useful case study with comments and related articles. - "Leadership"
- A Journal for Church Leaders
Published by Christianity Today, Inc., tending to reflect an independent evangelical free church viewpoint; mainly stories and simplified guidelines for addressing problems and issues in church leadership and administration. - Leadership Network, Dallas, TX.
Consulting services, publications, workshops and events based on large church experience and corporate entrepreneurial models; includes "Church Champion" consultants and leaders such as Lyle Schaller and Herb Miller (editors of "The Parish Paper"). - Leadership Site: Wharton
School of Business
Articles and links focussed on current issues in leadership, especially in business organizations. - National Association of Church Business
Administration, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
Interdenominational association of professionals in church administration, promoting certification of full-time CBA's as Fellows in Church Business Administration; publishes "NACBA Ledger" magazine; sponsors seminars for certification training at six sites, including the Candler School of Theology. - Written Projects
for NICFA
Written projects from certified applicants available online here. - "Net Results"
Publication and consulting on issues and methods of church growth and vitality. - Resources for American
Christianity
Provides links to numerous studies of American congregations, denominations, and religious trends through projects funded by The Lilly Endowment, Inc., Indianapolis, IN. - The Society for Organizational Learning
Society for Organizational Learning continues the principles of learning organizations as developed in "The Fifth Discipline." - Strategy + Business
Resources in organizational management and leadership, produced by major business consulting firm (Booz/Allen/Hamilton) - United Methodist Association of Church
Business Administrators
One of several denominational associations for professionals in church administration, offering an annual meeting and quarterly newsletter.
Download Entire Course
- Download Course Files (.zip file)
- Import Course Materials into Your Blackboard Course Site - contact Dr. Tom Frank if you are interested
Contact Information
Dr. Thomas E. Frank
Professor of Religious Leadership and Administration
Candler School of Theology
Emory University
Atlanta, GA 30322
thomas.frank@emory.edu
404.727.6325