0307 - Business Skills for Faith-Based Organizations Program

Description

Course Number: CEB 0307

Offering Format

• Asynchronous Online Cohort: Learners start and complete 8 online courses following the program schedule, completing each online course at their own pace and with no scheduled live meeting/lecture times. (For sample schedule details, view the section notes on this page.)

Offering Description

This professional development program is designed to equip leaders of faith-based organizations with the skills they need to effectively manage their operations.

This program is formatted in eight micro-learning courses that cover topics such as: 

• Human resources management and development
• Conflict resolution
• Financial management
• Social media marketing
• Fundraising
• Strategy
• Change management

By the end of the program, leaders will complete multiple action plans that will foster useful solutions for some major pain points in their organization.

Offering Outline

1. Introduction to Business Skills for Church Workers
   1.5 CEUs
   This course is designed to provide an overview of the program and allow participants to take an inventory of their current organization.  This inventory will be useful for developing the deliverables in the program.
2. Managing People
   2 CEUs
   This course is designed to help the user explore Human Resource Management and Development concepts that impact employee productivity and organizational effectiveness. Church leaders can discover current methods and practical business applications that lead to enhanced team performance, employee engagement and employee and volunteer retention strategies.  
3. Conflict Resolution
   1.5 CEUs
   This course focuses on the practices and policies intended to manage and resolve disagreements with minimal cost and adversarial impact. The application to disputes in religious contexts is emphasized. 
4. Social Media Strategies
   2 CEUs
   This course is designed to help church leaders understand basic social media concepts, tools and applications. This course will provide church workers with the practical knowledge and insights needed to successfully plan, implement, manage and measure social media marketing efforts to engage their congregations. 
5. Financial Management
   1.5 CEUs
   This course examines the basic elements of financial management to enable church leaders to make informed decisions. Church leaders will examine the various elements of the balance sheet, evaluate tools to account for costs, manage cash, and assess the financial health of their organization.  Additional coverage will focus on internal controls to protect the assets of the organization, manage risk, and ensure accountability. 
6. Raising Funds
   1.5 CEUs
   This course presents best practices in the area of fundraising and grant writing for nonprofit organizations. Given the vital nature of fundraising and grant writing for almost all nonprofits, this course will provide the tools necessary for success in this field. Special emphasis will be given to the development of the case of mission support.  Additional coverage on current practices for online giving and direct deposits will be provided.
7. Strategy & Change Management
   1.5 CEUs
   This course is to will challenge church leaders to revisit their overall strategic plan and equip them with the tools to create and maximize participation, collaboration, and effectiveness during times of change in order to build team identity, commitment, and trust. Church leaders will understand the nature of organizational strategy and change management, revisit strategies for dealing with organizational conflict during times of change, and learn to build a collaborative leadership process.
8. Action Plans/Capstone
   2 CEUs
   This course will be the culminating experience in the program.  Church leaders will be challenged to utilize the skills and knowledge gained in the previous continuing education modules and apply those towards the preparation of 2 Actions Plans for their organization.

Additional Information

Concordia University Code of Conduct

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