In his book, Mitchell (1988) points out the importance of roles, rules, and rituals in the maintenance of a group of people. The author states that different members of a group are assigned to fill different roles; the rules and rituals are shared by all members. The three aspects of group maintenance serve to regulate the group’s behavior, allow them to identify themselves as opposed to other groups and draw them together (Mitchell, 1988).
Central Outreach & Advocacy Center (OAC) is a group of committed people helping the homeless and abused. They were started Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. Central OAC has a small staff and uses the help of volunteers. The volunteers work with guests individually and render miscellaneous services. Within an organization of such a small scale, it is logical that some roles may fluctuate between members of staff and volunteers.
The acknowledged and unacknowledged roles and functions of some staff members and volunteers can be presented in the form of a short chart.
As we can see from the chart, at least two major staff members engage themselves in volunteer and case management and preaching. Also, both staff members and volunteers assist guests and motivate them. As to the rituals, such occasions as worships and various classes take place regularly, providing guests with a feeling of belonging and being cared for. The volunteers and preachers look after their guests; the rules are those shared by homeless shelters and similar organizations: the guests are to communicate with the staff and volunteers, keep the place clean, watch their hygiene, share their thoughts on improving the place and helping, if necessary. In return, they receive medical, accommodation, employment, and any other advocacy they need.
Zikmund, Lummis, and Chang (1998) describe several styles of power used by religious leaders. They are “power with” their group members, “power within” themselves as a factor of unflagging encouragement, and “power over” the group as subordination prescribes (Zikmund et al., 1998). In relation to Central Outreach & Advocacy Center, a system of “power with” the group members is deployed. The strong points of this kind of leadership are that it makes the staff, the volunteers, and the guests feel special and empowered and that the leaders themselves feel their competence enhanced. As Kimberly Parker said in an interview, the Central OAC is “treating people as human beings” (Johns, 2015, para. 18). Besides, due to the fluctuation of roles and adopting informal roles, all decisions are made collectively, by virtue of a collaborative discussion that involves every group member. On the other hand, making decisions in a group where all opinions should be taken into account might take longer than with a single person’s authoritative leadership. However, the Central OAC relies strongly on the power of dialog and compromise, which is yet another factor forming bonds and identifying them as a group with a mission to complete.
References
Johns. M. (2015). Atlanta’s Homeless Men Finding Peace in Art Class. WABE 90.1 FM. Web.
Mitchell, K. R. (1988). Multiple Staff Ministries. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press Philadelphia.
Zikmund, B. A., Lummis, A. T., & Chang, P. M. Y. (1998). Clergy Women: An Uphill Calling. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.