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Leadership Development - Expressing an Inclusive, Anti-Oppressive Vision for the Church and How to Make it Happen

Partner Disciples Seminary Foundation
Learning Pillar Theological Imagination
Rigor Level Medium
What makes a good leader? We will explore the biases and oppressive structures that severely inhibit open, inclusive, collaborative leadership and what it looks like to embody liberative leadership in the church that counters oppression in its many guises. Possible topics include racism, homophobia, white supremacist structures, immigration, violence, poverty, sexism, disability awareness. What are effective ways congregations can partner with faith-based community organizations to make a difference locally and globally? 

Competency Areas

Aligned with Competency Area(s) 4, 6, 9

4. Cross Cultural and Anti-Racism Experience

​Be sensitive to the different manifestations of racism and prejudice in the culture and be committed to confronting and overcoming them.

6. Education and Leadership Development

​Know the foundations of Christian education and the principles of leader development. Show competency in teaching children, youth, and adults, including lay leaders and staff.

9. Mission of the Church in the World

​Be able to understand and articulate the centrality of the call to mission given by Jesus Christ and the prophets. Be able to empower congregations to engage in mission from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.

Leadership Development - Expressing an Inclusive, Anti-Oppressive Vision for the Church and How to Make it Happen

Taught by Rev. Sandhya Jha

Explore what it means to embody liberative leadership in the church by confronting biases and oppressive structures while cultivating practices that promote inclusion, justice, and faithful collaboration within and beyond the congregation.

This course is part of the DSF Certificate Program.

Rev. Sandhya Jha

Meet Your Instructor,
Rev. Sandhya Jha

Sandhya Jha (they/them) is an anti-oppression consultant currently working on their Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice, with a focus on comparing contemporary progressive and conservative social movements. Sandhya is the founder and former executive director of the Oakland Peace Center and a multifaith community organizer. An ordained pastor with master’s degrees in both divinity and public policy, Sandhya is comfortable in the pulpit, on the picket line, or hanging out with friends and friends-to-be over a good cup of tea and a good story. Sandhya’s fifth book with Chalice Press, Rebels, Despots, and Saints, came out on MLK Day 2023. They are currently heading up a research team at UPenn’s SAFE Lab focused on the cultivation of belonging in digital spaces as a tool in social movement mobilization.

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