Overview

This course is designed to help church leaders approach strategic management as strategic stewardship—discerning God’s vision for the church and faithfully stewarding the practices that help bring that vision to life. Drawing on theological reflection and practical wisdom, the course reframes common strategic management tools as resources for faithful leadership in congregational settings.

Throughout the course, you will explore key elements of strategic stewardship, including vision, core values and culture, goals and objectives, and metrics. You will examine how each element functions as a management tool and how it can be reappropriated for theological ends. In addition, the course addresses the kind of pastoral leadership required for strategic stewardship and includes real-life examples from Duke Divinity School alumni who share how they have implemented these practices in their own church contexts.

This course is part of the Church Administration Course Series. When taken together, the four courses in the series will equip church leaders with a holistic set of practical skills informed by a theological focus that situates these practices within the church’s mission of discipleship, worship, and witness.