Assignments for this course take the form of written summaries, research, and analysis. They are designed to help us work through the course objectives, while keeping a focus on our spiritual growth through conceptual learning.

For each assignment, please develop a document and submit it to me in either Microsoft Word or HTML format (your word processing software should permit you to do a "save as" and choose either of those formats).

Building a Dynamic Church By Randall J. Hillebrand Pastor Staff and Committee  Project 1) Reading Assignment Building a Dynamic Church Read FOUNDATIONAL ISSUES pages 1-37 Read ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES pages 47-97 Project 1) Writing Assignment Summarize what you have read in your own words 4-6 pages Project 2) Reading Assignment Building a Dynamic Church Read ORDINANCES pages 101-107 Read MINISTRIES OF THE CHURCH 113-173 Project 2) Writing Assignment Summarize what you have read in your own words 4-6 pages Project 3) Reading Assignment   Building a Dynamic Church Read WOMEN’S ISSUES 183-204 Read THE PASTOR 205-232 Project 3) Writing Assignment  Write a 4-6 page article on the ideas you learned from the articles read.  Project 4) Reading Assignment Building a Dynamic Church Read CHURCH LEADER’S PERSONAL GROWTH 233-347 Project 4) Writing Assignment  Write a 4-6 page article on the ideas you learned from the articles read.  Project 5) Reading Assignment Pastor Staff and Committee  Read entire handbook on pastoral staff and Committee's Project 5) Writing Assignment  Write a 4-6 page article on the ideas you learned from the articles you read.   Project 6) Final Project   Develop a model of their "ideal" church organization. Directions:  In writing, develop your ideal Church Organization. The model length should be a minimum of ten (10) pages and no longer than fifteen (15) pages.  (It will be impossible to secure an A on the final with less than ten pages).  Be creative!  Use the things that you learned in the other lessons and the things God has laid on your heart. Come up with a name, and a total plan of how it would be structured based upon what you have studied. Extra Credit: Conduct a survey of three different congregations from three different denominational perspectives.  Include the church you attend.  Compare the organizational structures of the three, with the following questions in mind: a. How large is the congregation, and how does its size affect its organization? b. Where does decision-making and leadership authority rest in this congregation? c. What terms does the church use to describe its lay and staff leaders? d. How does the church relate to the denomination, or lack thereof, to which it belongs? e. How would you characterize the church in terms of growth vs. decline?  Assess it both numerically and qualitatively. f. What strategies does the church have for enlisting, training, and organizing the efforts of volunteers to accomplish its task? g. What is your assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each church's organizational structure? Write a report and analysis three to four single-spaced or four to eight double-spaced pages in length that details your findings.