This course provides a rigorous, critical examination of leadership theory and practice from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
LEAD501
Elective
Transformational Leadership
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Dates
10 weeks
Workload
9 hours per week
Class
Wed 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Online and in-person
Location
1/14 Vanessa Blvd Springwood QLD
Tuition Fees
Enrol AUD $1,506
Audit fee is 50% of tuition fees
12-week payment plans available
Applications close
18 Jun 2026 at 5:00 pm AEST
Course Overview
This course provides a rigorous, critical examination of leadership theory and practice from both historical and contemporary perspectives. Students will analyse major leadership theories, including transformational, servant, transactional, and situational leadership, subjecting each to biblical-theological critique and practical evaluation.
This course resists the uncritical application of secular theories to Christian contexts and instead equips students to discern what is genuinely consistent with biblical leadership principles and practically effective across diverse settings including ministry, business, education, governance, and family life. Students will develop the capacity for critical thinking about leadership whilst being grounded in Reformed theological convictions.
Please note that this course is a part of the Professional Credential in Theology program. Explore the full program to see how this course sits within the wider course of study.
Course Learning Objectives
1
Analyse and Evaluate: Critically examine major historical and contemporary leadership theories, identifying their core assumptions, strengths, and limitations through rigorous scholarly analysis.
2
Biblical-Theological Integration: Evaluate leadership theories through the lens of Scripture and Reformed theology, demonstrating capacity to distinguish between genuine biblical principles and popular but unfounded applications.
3
Critical Thinking: Develop and articulate sophisticated critiques of leadership theories, avoiding both uncritical acceptance and knee-jerk rejection of secular scholarship.
4
Contextual Application: Apply leadership concepts wisely across multiple contexts (church, business, education, governance, family), demonstrating discernment appropriate to each setting.
5
Synthesis and Philosophy Development: Integrate biblical principles with theoretical insights to construct a coherent, defensible personal leadership philosophy grounded in Scripture and informed by scholarship.
6
Communication Competency: Demonstrate effective oral and written communication of complex leadership concepts, including the ability to defend positions under questioning and engage in substantive peer critique.
7
Character Formation: Reflect critically on personal leadership development, identifying areas for growth in character, competency, and credibility.
8
Scholarly Engagement: Engage primary and secondary sources with academic rigour, demonstrating proper citation, critical reading, and integration of diverse perspectives.
Course Details
Applications close
18 Jun 2026 at 5:00 pm AEST
Timeframe
22 Jul - 23 Sep 2026
Lecture times
Wednesday 6:30 PM ⎯ 8:00 PM
Location
1/14 Vanessa Blvd Springwood QLD
Duration
10 weeks
Workload
9 hours per week
Credits
2
Tuition Fees
Enrol AUD $1,506
Audit fee is 50% of tuition fees
Assessment
Class Attendance & Participation
Weekly attendance and in-class participation across 10 weeks
Due Date
Ongoing
Est. Hours
10
Weight
10%
Course Readings Assessment
1.5 hours per week across 10 weeks
Due Date
Ongoing
Est. Hours
15
Weight
10%
Mid-term Paper
Due Date
End of Week 6
Est. Hours
15
Weight
20%
Final Paper
Due Date
End of Week 9
Est. Hours
32
Weight
40%
Viva Voce Oral Defence
Due Date
Week 9 & 10
Est. Hours
10
Weight
20%
About the Lecturer
A strategic ecclesiologist, he has pastored, planted, and revitalised churches in Australia and the United States, leading high-risk mission trips among unreached peoples. Through worldwide seminars, networks, and conferences, Dr. Ireland delivers theological depth, pastoral warmth, and prophetic clarity, fostering church faithfulness and renewal in turbulent times. Holding a Doctor of Education (University of the Cumberlands, USA), Doctor of Ministry (Columbia International University, USA), M.A. in Theology (University of Chester, UK), and B.A. in Theology (Charles Sturt University, Australia), his doctoral research examined leadership, innovation in theological education, and adult learning theories. At the Haddon Institute, he lectures in theology and worldview, leads Spurgeon symposia on spiritual warfare and missional advance, and has authored works such as By Grace Alone (an updated All of Grace) and No Higher Calling: Shepherding God's People According to Paul. Married to Katarina for over 22 years and father to four, he embodies conviction and compassion in scholarship and shepherding.
Lecture Content
1
Introduction to Leadership Studies
Exodus 18:13-27
Date
24 Jun 2026
2
Historic Leadersip Theories I
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Date
1 Jul 2026
3
Historic Leadership Theories II
Psalm 2 & Mark 10:42-45
Date
8 Jul 2026
4
Transformational Leadership
Nehemiah 1-2 & 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Date
15 Jul 2026
5
Servant Leadership
John 13:1-17 & Philippians 2:1-11
Date
22 Jul 2026
6
Transactional and Situational Leadership
Matthew 20:1-16 & 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
Date
29 Jul 2026
7
Integration and Critique
Daniel 1:1-21 & Colossians 2:8
Date
5 Aug 2026
8
Leadership Development and Future Directions
2 Timothy 2:1-7 & Ephesians 4:11-16
Date
12 Aug 2026
9
Viva Voce Oral Defence
Session 1
Date
19 Aug 2026
10
Viva Voce Oral Defence
Session 2
Date
26 Aug 2026
Testimonials
Transformational Leadership has strengthened the way I understand and practise leadership in the church, workplace, and home. It has shown me that leadership is unavoidable and that, as Christians, we are called to lead every sphere of influence in a way that reflects Christ, honours God, and serves His mission. As a church planter, it has particularly equipped me to lead with greater strategic intentionality, ensuring that the decisions I make and the outcomes I pursue are both missionally purposeful and Christ-honouring.
Chris Stirton, Professional Credential in Theology
Required Readings
Northouse, Peter G. Leadership: Theory and Practice (Latest edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Recommended Readings
Bass, Bernard M. & Riggio, Ronald E. Transformational Leadership (2nd edition). New York: Psychology Press.
Link Unavailable
Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership. Chicago: Moody Publishers.
Link Unavailable