Verified Document

Self-Evaluation Of Church Organisations And Research Proposal

It has nothing to do with having charisma or other exotic personality traits. It's not leadership necessarily better than management or a replacement for it: rather leadership and management are two distinctive and complementary activities. Both are necessary for success..." (Kotter, 1990, p.103 cited in Bolden, 2004) V. Policy and Strategy

In most cases quality in ministry is defined as "meeting or exceeding the expectations of needs of the customer in such a way as to fully satisfy him or her." (Kallestad) But the purpose of this paper is not to make a business process out of ministry but to make the business of ministry a quality process. The quality performance of a church is typically measured primarily by its size, participation in programs and/or financial indicators. Recently, however, a new awareness of quality beyond material issues has begun to surface (see below, Hybels). This focus embraces those core values that count for eternity, which may suggest the need to introduce a new term: "Quality for Eternity." Quality for Eternity stands for those values that count for eternity (to be defined). It does not only refer to organizations, it may also be applied to one's spiritual growth in knowing God (2Petr 3:18; 2 Cor 3:18; 1 Tim 1,5). It's about loving Him and the church, while serving the world.

Quality for Eternity in the context of the EFQM model "does not try to make people with zero defects, nor does it try to make people the product of continuous improvement. It does seek continuous improvement and zero defects in the way ministry is accomplished." (Kallestad). God demands our best; anything less does not honor God, and conveys an inaccurate message to the watching world. Regular evaluation and review must be a part of all who belong to the family of faith. As believers we should be committed to being good stewards of the resources of time, money, and abilities God has given them (Ps 78:72; Col 3:17).

Policy and Strategy are to be based on the stakeholder's present and future expectations and needs. Policy and strategy are based upon information and knowledge gained from measuring performance as well as from research and learning and creativity-related activities. It is necessary that after having developed policies and strategies in the organizations that they are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. Development of policy and strategy are stated to be "deployed through a framework of key processes." (excellence.efqm.org) Furthermore, policy and strategy must be communicated and implemented throughout the organization.

VI. People

According to the EFQM Excellent Model people and people resources in the organization are "planned, managed and improved" and as well the knowledge and competencies of people are "identified, developed and sustained." People are furthermore, "involved and empowered and there is an ongoing dialogue between people and the organization and finally people are "rewarded, recognized and care for." ( )

The work of Dr. Robert Klenck entitled: "What's Wrong with the 21st Century Church" states that the new movement used today in many churches is one that can be defined as "The utilization of modern marketing techniques by the church in order to draw and hold large numbers of people. The church then 'converts' them and 'disciples' them through the use of modern organizational management techniques so that they can effect 'change' in the community and the world." (Klenck, nd) The result is that church members effectively become "agents of social change, or 'change agents'." (Klenck, nd) Klenck reports that many of these churches are "planted, after a survey is taken of the surrounding community. The 'felt needs' of the community are then compiled and the church is tailored around meeting those needs." (nd)

Reverend Bill Hybels, founder of Willowcreek Church in South Barrington, Illinois and Dr. rick Warren, founder of Saddleback Valley Community Church in Mission Viejo, California are both proponents of these types of churches and Klenck reports that each of these individuals "readily admit to being influenced by Dr. Robert H. Schuller, founder of the Crystal Cathedral in Orange, California" and specifically in the area of the use of community surveys. According to Rick Warren on his method of preparing a sermon Warren states he first considers:

"To whom will I be preaching? & #8230; Then, I consider what are their needs, hurts, and interests, and I ask a second question: 'What does the Bible say about their needs?'" & #8230; Once he examines what the Bible says about the subject, he asks himself: "What is the most practical way to say this? What is the most positive way to say this? What is the most encouraging way to say this? What is the simplest way to say this? What is the most personal way to...

According to Matthew 5:33-37 the signing of covenants is not a Biblical practice. The covenants are such that require that people refrain from swearing, gossiping and the like and to follow the church leadership unquestioningly.
Eight trends are highlighted in Messer's work and the first is stated to be that "the church in the United States has been disestablished." (nd) Messer states that mainline protestants "seem to be apathetically powerless in contemporary and political processes." (nd) The third trend is stated to be the emergence of "a new ecumenism...at a local congregational level" which is a movement defined by "merging denominations and the work and witness of the National Churches...floundering..." (Messer, nd) Denominations are not disappearing although the denominations are loosely claimed and their principles very loosely applied. Stated fifth in these trends is that "national church hierarchies and bureaucracies are less than powerful and influential in relation to local churches." (Messer, nd) The sixth stated trend is that of local churches being on the increase of becoming "the object of mission rather than the agents of mission. National agencies, originally created to do ministry on the frontiers no one local congregation could touch, are now being asked with their limited resources to provide services to local churches." (Messer, nd) Messer states that the seventh trend is that "...denominations are nearly paralyzed by internal theological and political polarization. The division of so-called "evangelicals" and "liberals" appears so pronounced and profound as to prohibit progress in many areas of the church's life and work. National studies reveal that the "population divides itself almost evenly between these two categories, with various gradations of extremity and moderation in each. . . . Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, and Roman Catholics all have about equal numbers of religious liberals and religious conservatives among their members." Increasingly, Christians within denominations no longer can communicate or tolerate one another." (Messer, nd)

The eighth and final trend stated by Messer is that the "future ain't what it used to be. Cataclysmic change has swept the globe in recent years, as the Cold War has subsided, new technologies of communication have been developed, and a global economy has emerged. A hundred years ago, 34% of the world's population was Christian. In the year 2000 it is anticipated that 34% of the population will still be Christian, but the center of gravity has shifted from the so-called "First World" to the "Two-Third's World."(Messer, nd)

VII. Partnership & Resources

Partnerships and external partnerships of the organization are managed as are organizational finances, building, equipments, materials, technology and information and knowledge of the organization. Churches today are typically very reliant on partnerships with other churches and non-profit agencies and the pooling or combining of resources in meeting the needs of the community. For example, the church in many cases will partner with organizations such as 'meals on wheels' and other outreach agencies in contacting community members and meeting the needs of the individuals in the community.

VIII. Processes

Processes within the EFQM model are also described as 'best practices' or that which best serves to reach the goal of excellence in the organization. The EFQUM Model is one that is based on common sense and that involves the following:

(1) proper training;

(2) development of continuous improvement processes;

(3) integration of the self-assessment process into its business planning and policy development cycles;

(4) To be driven by self-assessment rather than scores; and (5) Ensuring that appropriate data is collected and used in the management of everyday business processes. (Ley Hill Solutions,

2010)

The processes within the organization must be "systematically designed and managed." Furthermore the processes must be improved as the improvements are needed and improvement is through the use of innovation so that customers and other stakeholders are being satisfied. Products and services within the organization are designed and developed upon the basis of the customers' need and their expectations. Finally the relationships of the organization and customers are managed well and…

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography

O'Hara, Debbie (2003) Church Growth Movement -- Revival or Apostasy? 21 Oct 2003 News with Views. Online available at: http://www.newswithviews.com/Ohara/debbie11.htm

Coutts, Peter (2000) John Kotter on Leading Change. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Calgary. 27 Jun 2000. Online available at: http://www.telusplanet.net/public/pdcoutts/leadership/Kotter.htm

Vardiman, Phillip D. And Pope, Don N. (2003) A Study of Performance Assessment Practices in Local Church Congregations. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Christian Business Faculty Association. Regent University, Virginia beach, VA 16-18 Oct 2003. Online available at: http://www.cbfa.org/Vardiman.pdf

Kallestad, Walther P. And Schey, Steven L. (nd) Total Quality Ministryhttp://books.google.com/books?id=jZV8ci4608UC&pg=PA16&lpg=PA16&dq=church+and+total+quality+management&source=bl&ots=MJRrNor-Nv&sig=2RX3Wx5QXZOH4C3qMXfFE4H1HBk&hl=en&ei=xSBYS6apNsGllAfej6X7Aw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAjgy#v=onepage&q=church%20and%20total%20quality%20management&f=false
Leslie, Sarah (1999) Research Notes- Analyzing the 'Cell Church' Model. Apologetics Coordination Team. Online available at: http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/cellcurch.html
Gotcher, Dean (nd) The Dialectic & Praxis: Diaprax and the End of the Ages, Institution for Authority Research Vol. 1 No. 1. Online available at: http://www.professionalserve.com/doublespeak/diapraxC.htm
Messer, Donald E. (nd) Reinventing the Church. Online available at: http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=199I
Stuter, Lynn (2003) The Spirituality of Systems Thinking. Online available at: http://www.newswithviews.com/Stuter/stuter12.htm
Blevins, Dean G. (nd) The Catechesis of Politics: How Polity Shapes Personhood. Nazarene Theological Seminary. Online available at: http://didache.nts.edu/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=750&Itemid=
Bolden, Richard (2004) What is Leadership. Leadership South West Research Report 1. Online available at: http://www.iedc.si/programs/seminars/hrmasterclass/photos/What_is_Leadership.pdf
The Sphere Project: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (2009) Taking the Initiative. June 2009. Online available at: http://www.sphereproject.org/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_view/gid,282/Itemid,203/lang, English/
Michalska, J. (2008) Using the EFQM Excellence Model to the Process Assessment. Journal of Achievements in Material and Manufacturing Engineering. Vol. 27, Issue 2, April 2008. Online available at; http://www.journalamme.org/papers_vol27_2/27222.pdf
The EFQM Excellence Model (2008) Ley Hill Solutions. Online available at: http://www.leyhill.com/pdf/toolkit/EFQM%20Excellence%20Model.pdf
EFQM Excellence Model (2010) Online available at: http://www.excellenceone.org/Default.aspx?tabid=385
Eason, Tim (2003) Strive for Excellence, Standing in Grace. Mar 2003. Technologies for Worship Magazine. Online available at: http://www.tfwm.com/StriveforExcellenceStandinginGrace
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Performance Evaluation of How Hedge
Words: 19967 Length: 80 Document Type: Research Proposal

As a consequence, investors may suffer. Importance of the Study It is necessary and pertinent to discuss the importance of any study, and this particular study is important to many people across many countries. Not only does it have importance for people who are trusting people with their pension and hedge funds in Germany, but it also has importance for people who are considering a career working with these funds and

Leadership Theory in a Changing and Globalizing
Words: 5806 Length: 20 Document Type: Essay

Leadership Theory in a Changing and Globalizing Marketplace Modern business practice is permeated by the complexities of a changing world. The impact of globalization on the cultural makeup of companies, the effects of the global recession on the conventions of daily business and the evolutionary shifts brought on by emergent technology all call for an orientation toward simultaneous stability and adaptability. Only under the stewardship of a qualified, communicative, flexible and

Marketing and Economics Agricultural
Words: 18779 Length: 68 Document Type: Term Paper

Origins, History of the IMF The International Monetary Fund was first conceived between July 1-22, 1944, at the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. The conference was attended by representatives of 45 nations, which were called together in order to plan and lay the groundwork for a cooperative economic framework to solve global financial crises before they occur. One key reason for the conference was to

Corporate Social Responsibility the Good,
Words: 3605 Length: 9 Document Type: Term Paper

But the shareholders themselves need to be more aware and more involved in their company's business in order for any meaningful change to sustain itself: Shareholders, the intended beneficiaries of the corporate vehicle, are the ultimate capitalists: avaricious accumulators with little fiscal risk and no legal responsibility for the way in which they pursue their imperative to accumulate. Shareholders, not corporations, show indifference to the needs and values of society. It

Promising Phenomenon That Lends Itself
Words: 26560 Length: 96 Document Type: Dissertation

66). Furthermore, social software will only increase in importance in helping organizations maintain and manage their domains of knowledge and information. When networks are enabled and flourish, their value to all users and to the organization increases as well. That increase in value is typically nonlinear, where some additions yield more than proportionate values to the organization (McCluskey and Korobow, 2009). Some of the key characteristics of social software applications

Sales Promotion Techniques Used in
Words: 12044 Length: 44 Document Type: Term Paper

Since the 1970s, the global retail clothing industry has experienced intense international competition and major shifts in the pattern of consumer demand. These pressures have had far-reaching implications for the clothing industry in the areas of pricing, design, quality, manufacturing processes and employment (Rath, 2002). According to this author, "In the 1970s, traditional manufacturers, particularly High Street retailers with their own manufacturing capacity, found themselves unable to compete with low

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now