Development and Delivery of a Course on Selected Management Principles and Practices for Pastors in Canadian Chinese Alliance Churches

Abstract

Using an action research approach, a course on essential management principles and practices was developed, and then field tested by some Christian and Missionary Alliance pastors. They participated in the 4-month course and provided valuable feedback to improve the content, format, and delivery of the course so it would be useful to other pastors. The participants' management capabilities were appraised throughout the course. After the course, the assessment indicated an upward trajectory in their management skills. The pastors' feedback via a post-course evaluation affirmed their need to learn about management and develop skills to augment their ministry body of knowledge. They indicated they found value in the principles and practices learned in the course. They have applied them both in their personal lives and in their church ministry. The management principles and practices were supplementary to their seminary preparation and ministry experiences. This project also affirmed the need for management principles and practices that are biblically-based. Moreover, they need to be carried out under the power of the Holy Spirit in order to be efficacious as Alliance pastors continue to be on mission for Christ.