Objectives: The aim of this course is to help students understand and appreciate synodality as the way of being church, and thus to exercise synodal leadership particularly through pastoral planning processes that promote communion, participation, and mission.

Learning Outcomes: Students will gain theological and practical knowledge about synodality, be exposed to the attitudes for synodal leadership, and acquire the skills for strategic pastoral planning in a synodal church which can be adapted to their local contexts.

Contents: The course will examine the key principles of synodality as highlighted in recent church teachings, and discuss the implications for synodal leadership. It will guide students in understanding the theology and dynamics of pastoral planning, and help them apply suitable processes in a synodal way for their own contexts.

Methodology: The in-class activities will be participatory in nature, including not only lectures but also hands-on group activities, reflections, case studies, and conversations.

Means of evaluation: Class participation and final paper.