The church is not like any other institution or organisation in society. Although the
church is primarily invisible and spiritual, it is a visible organisation in the world, and it
spans across borders of nations, languages and countries. John Calvin strongly rejected
the notion that the church is only a spiritual organisation of which the visible
administrative side is downplayed. The fellowship of the church must not only be seen as
a mystical relation with Jesus Christ. At the three-yearly synod of the GKSA, which was
held in the year 2000, a report was tabled titled 'Preservation and Growth of the Church'.
The report requested that all local congregations should develop and implement a
congregational strategy that is applicable to their own unique environment. The
congregational strategy's main purpose must be to guide the congregation to fulfil its
biblical purpose. The fact that people are turning their backs on the traditional churches,
including the GKSA who is losing about 2000 members per year, is an indication that it
cannot be 'business as usual' for them in future.
The purpose of this study is to design a framework for crafting and executing a
congregational strategy for the local congregations of the GKSA. The study started with
a literature study on the science of strategic management. This provided a theoretical
foundation for the framework. Although the strategy of different organisations will differ
vastly, the process to follow is much the same. The literature study indicated that the
benefits of a well developed and executed organisational strategy are not limited to large
profit making organisations, but is also useful to non-profit organisations such as
government departments and church congregations. The literature study included a study
on the essence and work of a congregation. The purpose of this part of the study was not
to be a detailed theological study of the different views and types of church
denominations, but only focused on the views of the GKSA. The literature study also
tested the applicability of the strategic management theory on the nature and work of a
congregation.
An empirical study was performed in the congregations of the GKSA, which indicated
that the majority of congregations do not have a congregational strategy. The main reason for not having a congregational strategy is that congregations do not have the
knowledge and skills available to lead and facilitate the process of crafting and executing
a congregational strategy. The empirical study also gathered best practices from
congregations that are doing strategic management. These best practices were included
in the proposed framework for crafting and executing a congregational strategy.
The knowledge gained from the literature and empirical study was combined into a
framework for crafting and executing a congregational strategy. This framework can be
used by congregational leaders to guide them though their own process of crafting and
executing their unique congregational strategy.
The research concludes with a recommendation that the Theological School of the GKSA
should consider including a course on strategic management in the training syllabus of
aspiring ministers. The course should be developed specifically taking into account the
background and circumstances of the GKSA, and should not be generic like the course
that is included in the Baccalaureus Commercii curriculum. Because of the fast changing
environment of the 21st century, the course should also be condensed and be presented to
ministers already called in congregations. Because strategic management is a specialised
management science, and external Strategic Management consultants tend to be
expensive, the research also made the recommendation that the Administrative Bureau of
the GKSA consider employing their own Strategic Management consultant for the GKSA
with the specific assignment to assist and guide all congregations with their
congregational strategy. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Business Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/4613 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Grobler, Aldeon Barend |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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