The Relational Leadership course rediscovers New Testament principles for leadership in the body of Christ.
Relational Leadership is an eight-session course. This course will cover:
- Rediscovering New Testament principles for leadership in the body of Christ.
- Leading through caring, connected relationships, rather than positional power and formal influence.
- Raising a clear call for leaders in today's church to reject positional leadership and embrace relational leadership in accordance with Jesus' example.
Each of the eight-weeks of the resource is structured the same. Between sessions, participants are encouraged to utilize the eight-weeks resource as follows:
- Set aside time each week to read the chapter and work through the Personal Exercises.
- If you are working through this resource with a friend or fellow leader, we urge you to make time each week to work through and discuss the exercises.
- If you are working through this resource with a small group, we urge you to make it a priority to attend each small group session.
The Critical Need for Relational Leadership
Relational leadership is “serving others to build a caring and connected team, which identifies and accomplishes significant and lasting objectives, as all are sacrificially committed to growth in love.”
Developing Our Identity as Relational Leaders: Becoming Servants
Relational leaders are servants—not just in terms of what they do, but in terms of who they are.
The Servant’s Priority of “Being With” Others
Our motivation to “be with” and “give first” comes from gratefulness for how God has “been with” and “given first” to us.
The Experience of Fellowship: A Caring Team Sharing Christ’s Love
Building a caring, connected team requires knowing others, letting others know you, and sacrificially caring for others.
Gaining Freedom to Become Relational Leaders
Freedom to become relational leaders comes from having an accurate view of God, embracing our identity as the beloved of God, and loving those nearest us.
Relational Vision: Focusing Together on Eternal Priorities
As we develop vision, we must ask where God is leading us and why, as well as addressing the eternal priorities of God’s glory, God’s Word, and people.
Implementing Relational Vision: Addressing Divine Objectives
As the team implements vision, God’s objectives of unity, love, and witness must be reflected and experienced.
Committing to the Pursuit of Growth
Relational leaders must be committed to an ongoing process of personal growth, team growth, and ministry growth.
Example Curriculum
- Session 1.1 - Course Introduction
- Session 1.2 - Needed: Restoration of Identity of Love
- Session 1.3 - Crisis Within Church Leadership
- Session 1.4 - Crisis in Approaches to Leadership
- Session 1.5 - Crisis in Results
- Session 1.6 - Relational Leadership Defined
- Session 1.7 - The Startling Love of Jesus
- Session 8.1 - Sacrificial, Mutual, Grateful Commitment to Growth
- Session 8.2 - Growth in Managing Transitions
- Session 8.3 - Encouraging Growth of Others
- Session 8.4 - Relational Investing, Encouragement, and Intervention
- Session 8.5 - Growing Ministry: Four Elements
- Session 8.6 - Conclusion: Restoring an Identity of Love