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BTI Consortium | Last Updated April 21, 2026 - 6:00PM
LEADERSHIP TRANSFORMATION & MINISTRY SKILLS
School
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton
MC/SF501
Spiritual Formation for Ministry
BTI Category
Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills
Semester
FA26
The foundational course in the Division of Practical Theology and an introduction to theological seminary. A beginning working knowledge of spiritual formation leading to a lifetime of continuing education. Spiritual exercise and small group practice for personal application and for leadership in the church.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Adams, Gwenfair
T
1:30-4:30pm
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 2925
Administration and Leadership
BTI Category
Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills
Semester
FA26
This course aims to build skills for imaginative and shared leadership in religious, not-for-profit, and academic institutions. Students will develop skills within three areas: managing self-awareness for leadership, developing strategic approaches to complex situations, and interpreting meaning. At the heart of each class session will be interactive learning experiences that include case studies, role-play, debating, and team-based interviewing of a wide range of administrators and leaders. Because many HDS MDiv and MTS graduates are contributors to communities that encounter complex problems, students will be taught how to shepherd meaning through shared communal processing. This course teaches students how to develop contextual and communal approaches to leadership and administration as opposed to dictatorial forms of leadership. Students will learn that ethical leadership and moral administration begins with humility, keen listening, compassionate engagement (to self and others as well as to new information), and the interrogation and evaluation of their own moral compasses, values, strengths, and immunities to certain forms of change. This course will pay close attention to the complex layers of communal conflict and/or challenges by distinguishing between technical and adaptive challenges. Students will be taught to attend to what matters most in each situation and how to motivate substantive and sustainable responses to adaptive problems. Additionally, the course also shows leaders how to do more than “solve problems”. It teaches students how to forge a more productive understanding of the human interactions, motivations, and fears that play crucial roles in the development of a community’s capacity for change and courageous action.
Professor
Class Day & Time
TBD
TBD
Grading Option
Letter, P/F
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Hartford International
RS-525, Sect 2
American Religious Realities: Spiritual Leadership in Time of Crisis
BTI Category
Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills
Semester
FA26
As part of the MAIRS curriculum, this course facilitates an understanding of the scope of America’s religious diversity: the nature of its current complexity and factors contributing to its emergence; the mutually influencing interactions between religious communities (their convictions, practices, and structures); and the American contextual trends, such as immigration, political issues, and social drivers like race, ethnicity, or gender. This course is taught with faculty of different traditions or backgrounds, and builds knowledge and skills for study within a multifaith setting. Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS - Core course
Professor
Class Day & Time
Ansari/Watts
W
5:00-7:00pm
Grading Option
Letter
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
ONLINE SECTION
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
PAST 7252 A
Parish Leadership & Admin I FieldEd
BTI Category
Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills
Semester
FA26
Field Education
Professor
Class Day & Time
Stavroula Gurguliatos
TBA
TBA
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
0
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Parish Leadership & Admin I I-IV
School
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton
MC701
Pastoral Ministry
BTI Category
Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills
Semester
FA26
This course examines the call, identity, office, character, relationships, authority, and spiritual formation and maturation of the Christian pastor. These aspects of pastoral ministry are viewed from biblical and theological perspectives. Historical and cultural dimensions will also be considered. Items presented include the following: Calling, Identity, Roles and Expectations of the Pastor; Church Culture and its relation to the Larger Culture; Worship and Liturgy; Baptism (children and adults) and Child Dedication; Communion; Weddings; Funerals and Grief Work; Pastoral Care; Church Finances; Clergy Ethics; Sexual Ethics and Behavior; Legal Matters, Staff Relationships; Conflict Management; Leadership Development and Resilience.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Ribeiro Lin, Davi & James, Pete
T
9am-12pm
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Hartford International
RS-525, Sect 1
American Religious Realities: Spiritual Leadership in Time of Crisis
BTI Category
Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills
Semester
FA26
As part of the MAIRS curriculum, this course facilitates an understanding of the scope of America’s religious diversity: the nature of its current complexity and factors contributing to its emergence; the mutually influencing interactions between religious communities (their convictions, practices, and structures); and the American contextual trends, such as immigration, political issues, and social drivers like race, ethnicity, or gender. This course is taught with faculty of different traditions or backgrounds, and builds knowledge and skills for study within a multifaith setting.
This offering, taught by a sociologist and a theologian with extensive experience in religious anthropology methodology, will feature case studies, field work, and ethnography. Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS - Core course
Professor
Class Day & Time
Ansari/Watts
W
5:00-7:00pm
Grading Option
Letter
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
PAST 7252
Parish Leadership & Admin. I
BTI Category
Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills
Semester
FA26
The purpose of this course is to integrate the experiences that students have in their field education placement with the theological and organizational principles of parish administration. Students will have an opportunity to reflect upon various dimensions of ministry. Field placements have been designed to give exposure to various aspects of parish life including pastoral visitations, preaching, worship and administration.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Luke A. Veronis
TR
10:40-12 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
FE
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