Leaders of Christian organisations are frequently ill-prepared for those roles. In the past, the minimum qualification was a Bachelor of Theology or Divinity, whether it was a church or a not-for-profit organisation. For denominations there might be further study and an ordination process.

Unfortunately, the base theological education received was the same whether the person was a layperson, interested in lecturing in theology or set on entering paid ministry roles.

This means that those who are running our churches and many of our not-for-profit organisations are usually excellent at exegesis, but have to learn on-the-job all the essential components of leadership, from running meetings, to building teams, to setting strategic goals, to handling balance sheets.

When I was doing my Masters study at a Sydney theological college, I was constrained in application of my assignments to “ministry” settings. The pastors studying alongside me pointed out that they spent 90% of their time doing team and event management, activities for which they were receiving no preparation.

There is sometimes an attempt at teaching leadership skills, often through practicum, but the daily grind of running organisations is often neglected.

When I started studying and lecturing my focus was as a layperson wanting to apply my faith to my workplace. Now, I have discovered there is value in applying my workplace skills to teaching faith practitioners!

So, the major reason for enrolling in this unit, would be for Christian leaders to increase their skills in these basic organisational areas; as well as to have an opportunity to workshop some solutions to tricky issues in their organisations.

Another important reason is to allow church leaders to reflect biblically on some workplace issues common to the majority of their congregation. Frequently, ministers and pastors operate in a different world to the members of their congregation, and lack the ability to help people apply biblical material to their day-to-day world. This subject will allow Christian leaders to reflect on basic workplace issues from a biblical and theological perspective.

My qualification to teach in this area comes from experience in several workplaces in several roles. I have worked in major corporate organisations, and as a consultant to small business and not-for-profit organisations. I have worked in communications, human resources and business analysis.

I have a bachelor degree in Communications, a Master of Commerce and a Master of Arts in Christian Studies. I have had ten years of experience lecturing and applying theology to lay situations. I also have contributed book reviews for more than three years to Open House on Hope 103.2, and the Sydney Anglicans website, allowing me to reflect biblically on that area of popular culture.

I am looking forward to working with some keen learners on maximising the effectiveness of their organisations, and freeing leaders up to spend more time on their calling.