Management by objectives and church leadership : a pastoral theological study

Abstract

Godly Church leadership is essential to the life (its impact, efficiency, relevance, growth, holiness, and witness to the world) of the Church. Church leadership is under constant review in order to remain relevant in a world that is ever changing. The rate of change experienced in the modern world is very fast and Church leadership is constantly challenged to change and adapt. Often the Church has turned to the business world for answers, solutions and guidance to remain relevant in terms of its leadership output. The Church has, therefore, often adopted business management tools into its own leadership paradigms. One of these management tools is Management by Objectives. This study’s aim is to critically review the relationship between Management by Objectives as a management tool and Church leadership. This study has set out to evaluate the place of Management by Objectives within a Church leadership context by considering its impact (if any) on the Church as the Body of Christ. The study commences with the motifs that initiated the research project and refers to the personal and practical reasons thereof. In order to present an objective review it was necessary to state clearly how Management by Objectives is defined in the business world and by the business world. The study relied mainly on literature from the business sector to define Management by Objectives. The study then interacted with leaders and members of ten target churches to solicit their perspectives on the issue of Church leadership and the application of business management tools (specifically MBO) in a Church context. The study then discussed the biblical fundamentals of Church leadership with specific reference to the teaching of the New Testament. The conclusions of this part of the study were then applied to the process of formulating a framework within which to assess the compatibility/non-compatibility of Management by Objectives with Church leadership. The study concludes by formulating and recommending guidelines for the most appropriate relationship between MBO and Church leadership.