AC

Alphacrucis College

Details for Legal and Governance Issues for Christian Leadership

With the massive growth in lawsuits, sexual abuse cases, financial mismanagement and the like, having an understanding of the legal and constitutional context of churches is an essential part of pastoral formation. This unit aims to raise an awareness of the legal and regulatory environment in which Christian leaders have to act (both in church employ and in profit/ non-profit pursuits). It will also explore different forms of governance to ensure responsible management of risks and compliance issues without turning the organisation into a legalistic bureaucracy.

Quick Info

  • Currently offered by Alphacrucis: Yes
  • Unit code: MAN210
  • Credit points: 10
  • Total workload hours per week: 10
  • Number of timetabled hours per week: 3 *

* Note: Units with reduced contact hours (such as those taught in Intensive format) will have an increased assessment component.↩

Prerequisites

The following courses are prerequisites:

The unit Legal and Governance Issues for Christian Leadership is part of the subject area Management and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Bachelor of Contemporary Ministry (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

With the massive growth in law suits, sexual abuse cases and the like, the legal and constitutional context of churches is an essential part of pastoral formation. This unit aims to raise an awareness of the importance for church life of the legal and regulatory environment in which Christian leaders (both in church employ and in profit/ non-profit pursuits) have to act.

Subject Content

  1. Introduction to Australian corporate structures
  2. Traditional and progressive models of church governance.
  3. The Board: What it is, and who it is not.
  4. Guidelines: Legislation and rules
  5. Guidelines: Conduct becoming.
  6. Guidelines: Taxing issues.
  7. Creative leadership – by design.
  8. Creative leadership – accountability.
  9. Leadership models for organizations

This course may be offered in the following formats

Lectures, guided discussion/reflections, tutorials.

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Assessment Methods

Minor Essay (25%, 1250 words); Class Presentation (25%, includes 1500 word summary); Major Essay (50%, 2500 words)

Prescribed Text

Readings Provided

Representative References