decisionmaking in a free-associative, or non-imperative, organisation, focusing on the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn as a case study. Because people choose to participate in the Anglican Church as a religious community, it is postulated that they may perceive its decision-making as being characterised by consensus. Through an analysis of the organisational elements and the participants involved in the decision-making process, their inter-relationships are examined. By survey the biographical nature of synod participants is specified and elites identified. Finally, by case-decision analysis the process of decision-making is explored, and the presence and use of consensus examined. The study draws upon those members attending the 1988 session of the Diocesan Synod of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn as the population to be surveyed. Members of synod are also members of the various decision-making groups in the diocese. Two recently implemented decisions are used as case studies in order to examine the process of decision-making in the diocese. Results of the Synod survey are detailed at Chapter 4, and the analysis of the case decisions is at Chapter 5. The study found that there was an indication of an elite in the decision-making structure and that a strong administrative agenda was promoted by that group. The study concludes by suggesting that there are similarities in function between public, commercial and free-associative bodies of comparative size in regard to elites, professionalism and the lack of consensus in the decision-making process. The study also concludes that the nature of elites may be similar to that portrayed by the community studies school where the organisation is sufficiently like a community in the nature of its interpersonal relationships. The researcher suggests that the study provided illumination about church management procedures and a framework applicable to the study of other organisations.

The topic of diocesan Church management structures which I present in this research emerges from concerns concerning the comprehensive implementation of the Second Vatican Council in this regard. It is an attempt to examine, comprehend and present the responses and opinions of members of a diocesan Church in a systematic, clear and simple manner to concerns such as: should diocesan Church management structures change? If so, how should diocesan Church management structures change? What should be the main focus and priority of diocesan Church management structures? Do the current management structures of the diocesan Church respond adequately to the needs of the People of God? Since the Catholic Church has a complex management structure, the entire examination thereof is beyond the scope of this research. However, the aim of this investigation is to critically examine the diocesan management structures of a contemporary local Church. The challenge of this research is to ascertain how ecclesial management, as a vital aspect in the Church, is responding to the challenges of the Second Vatican Council to make the Church not only relevant, but allowing full participation and representation of her members in the management of the diocesan Church. / Department of Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / D.Th (Practical Theology)

The topic of diocesan Church management structures which I present in this research emerges from concerns concerning the comprehensive implementation of the Second Vatican Council in this regard. It is an attempt to examine, comprehend and present the responses and opinions of members of a diocesan Church in a systematic, clear and simple manner to concerns such as: should diocesan Church management structures change? If so, how should diocesan Church management structures change? What should be the main focus and priority of diocesan Church management structures? Do the current management structures of the diocesan Church respond adequately to the needs of the People of God? Since the Catholic Church has a complex management structure, the entire examination thereof is beyond the scope of this research. However, the aim of this investigation is to critically examine the diocesan management structures of a contemporary local Church. The challenge of this research is to ascertain how ecclesial management, as a vital aspect in the Church, is responding to the challenges of the Second Vatican Council to make the Church not only relevant, but allowing full participation and representation of her members in the management of the diocesan Church. / Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D.Th (Practical Theology)