Introduction
Management is one of the critical aspects of every organization and individual. Several qualities are considered desirable in management activities, including those in faith-based organizations (Daft 5). For an individual to be a good manager or exhibit good management skills, qualities such as transparency, excellent communication, reliability, listening skills, consistency, trustworthiness, the drive to set goals, empathy and sensitivity, decision-making, conflict resolution, openness to change, and motivation must be shown or at least some of them present in an individual (Daft 8).
Sound Theology dictates that a person have a broad knowledge of the Bible’s doctrines and what is required of them in every aspect, including management. Values reflect a manager’s ideology on what is considered unfair and fair, good or bad, and legitimate or illegitimate. This paper critically analyzes theology, examining how theology addresses management and whether it promotes effective management. The central question is whether sound theology leads to good management.
Understanding Theology
In practice, theology involves researching the contemporary significance of Christianity and examining the Christian religion’s creeds and biblical foundations. It is seen as “thinking about God” in its simplest terms (Boyd et al., 18). In higher education, theology typically refers to Christianity, whereas religious studies generally encompass beliefs worldwide (Cornille 26). Christians view the Bible, especially Christ’s life, as the primary means by which God has revealed Himself.
They also maintain that God’s Spirit remains active within the church. If this is true, a Christian must correctly comprehend the church and Bible doctrine to understand God’s message (Boyd et al., 33). The same picture emerges regarding theology’s subject matter from a secular perspective. Historical evidence suggests that Christians hold Jesus Christ in high esteem and that Christianity is rooted in the teachings of the Bible, with its practices sustained through the church’s activities.
It is essential to consider certain branches of theology before relating them to management and leadership practices. In educational psychology, theology’s subject matter is unparalleled in depth and complexity (Cornille 45). This poses real new difficulties for theological thinking. To manage this complexity, theological schools have developed organizational systems. Nowadays, dividing theology into four areas of concentration is a typical approach to this arrangement.
The four categories are biblical, practical, dogmatic, and dogmatic theology. The 19th and 20th centuries saw the establishment of this arrangement, which was just reached; throughout the history of theology, there was presumed flexibility between these four. None of these four theological elements is excluded from discussing God’s relationship with humans.
Practical Theology
The importance of practical theology is emphasized by the notion that all theology is inherently valuable. It is the procedure through which every facet of church activity and worship is informed and interwoven with theological truth (De Roest 12). The first step in practical theology is recognizing that all church and Christian practices are underpinned by systematic, historical, and biblical theologies (McCarroll 30). The goal of practical theology is to critically examine existing beliefs and the actions that comprise them, in order to improve their methodologies, correct their sinful practices, and discover more authentic ways to live out the biblical Christian virtues.
Systematic Theology
Systematic theology aims to present a rational and organized presentation of Christian doctrines. While it may be traced back to the period of the New Testament, the practice as Christians and the rest of the world know it today did not take its current form until the Middle Ages (Rumbay 17). The baptismal confessions of the second century were the first to give a systematic approach to Christian doctrine; they later formed the basis for the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds (Sonderegger 2). These creeds are organized in a Trinitarian fashion, with the Father first, followed by the Son, and then the Holy Spirit.
Historical Theology
Historical theology refers to the study of the origins and development of Christian doctrine. The discipline seeks to answer the question, “How did the core beliefs of Christianity develop and take shape in the early church?” by analyzing the historical record of the Christian faith (McGrath 3).
The analysis of how Christians have conceptualized various theological concepts, such as the nature of Jesus Christ, the nature of God, the nature and function of the Holy Spirit, and the idea of redemption throughout history, is known as historical theology (McGrath 7). Likewise, historical theology is practiced within religious practices, carefully considering all historical developments from the viewpoint of biblically informed conceptions of space and time, as well as the activities related to the church’s practices and dogmatic theology.
Biblical Theology
Biblical theology focuses on how Scripture’s discrete and distinctive authorial voices mirror the more general theological issues and the interactions between human beings and God (Vorster 2). Those who have been formed and educated in the Christian faith conduct biblical theology; they do so with an awareness of the various voices in Scripture rising together as a classical choir, orchestrating with each other in multiple ways that comply with applicable dogmatic theology, and with an appreciation for the chronological currents that nourish and stream through Scripture.
Sound Theology and Management
Management is essential for the success of any group working toward a common objective, whether monetary, political, spiritual, cultural, or social. Management skills involve getting things done in formally established organizations with the cooperation of various individuals, creating an environment where others feel comfortable contributing their best efforts toward a common goal (Daft 5). To manage, one must create a conducive internal atmosphere. It also utilizes a wide range of manufacturing tools. Hence, management must create conditions that promote maximum effort, enabling people to accomplish their duties effectively and efficiently.
The fundamental purpose of theology is God, and all things related to God, including faith-based management, are its secondary objects. By doctrine guiding human life in the direction of God’s glory, Christians learn to recognize God as the one through whom, to whom, and from whom all things exist. Little can be said about whether a person with limited knowledge of theology might fail in management tasks or positions. Therefore, the main question should be: What added value does sound theology bring to a person who masters it, compared to someone with little to no knowledge of theology in a management position, and whether the two individuals exhibit distinct management traits now that one is knowledgeable in theology.
Considering the management of faith-based organizations takes the idea to a new level, exposing some of the advantages and disadvantages of sound theology regarding management. Many people trust the potential of religious organizations to contribute to community development due to their vital role in providing social services (Askeland et al., 23). Religion refers to a person’s relationship with a deity or gods. It assumes that humans have or are encountering the supernatural in some form (Askeland et al., 27). The various faiths differ in this regard. According to Christians, religion is a person’s relationship with the God of the Bible, Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Theology also has a logical and intelligent core. It is the responsibility of theology to decipher such material so that the doctrines developed accurately assess that particular material. Every religion and church has a theology (Nass et al., 7). It is not a condition of applying theology or not applying theology. The Holy Spirit uses the Scriptures to transform theological information into redemptive knowledge, drawing the individual toward God’s purpose. Good theology is not invalidated by living faith, nor does it rely on an intellectual understanding of all that can be considered part of systematic theology.
Another key issue that emerges is the role of experience in faith-based organizational management. Does knowledge have to cancel out the value of sound theology in a person? The current trend is toward a subjective experience of God rather than an objective foundation of theological truth. The topic is rather fundamental to theology. The choice is not between theology and theology at all.
Nonetheless, many people today assert that they may experience religious realism and a relationship with God through specific interior self-knowing distinct from and frequently at odds with the objective manifestation of biblical truth (Nass et al., 4). They assert that doctrine is no longer significant. What matters is the experience. For them, psychology takes precedence over theology. The fact must pass psychological testing.
Even though it should, having a deeper academic understanding of theology only sometimes translates into a more emotional religious experience. Intellectually formed theology knowledge should not be equated with a necessary trust in God. Documented parts of a living faith include theological and doctrine interpretations (Nass et al., 4). The Bible is not a collection of theological debates as such. That is not theology as a system. A writer of the Bible seldom intends to create a theological dissertation on a particular concept.
Importance of Sound Theology
A person’s beliefs and principles are shaped by their experiences and the information they gain. Sharing beliefs and ideals is a product of socialization and contact. Philosophy and religion also influence the genesis and evolution of deals (Nass et al., 11). What is considered proper, regular, or suitable by one person may not be correct, stable, or ideal by another person with a different belief. Additionally, values are constantly developing and altering.
People consider the nature and integrity of those experiences as situations change and new knowledge becomes accessible, which might limit their sentiments or opinions. But, genuine Christian principles, which demonstrate a person’s embrace of Jesus Christ as their lord and savior, ground religious and spiritual principles in the word of God (Nass et al., 17). These standards lay the groundwork for a set of enduring, fundamental principles: principles derived from the most significant authority and founded on love and truth.
Sound Theology holds common ground with the Biblical teachings of values and beliefs, which makes it an asset for good faith-based management and any other kind of management.Since values fluctuate throughout communities and cultures, there is a chance for conflict between groups with differing prevailing ideas (Askeland et al., 33). This disagreement may be resolved using biblical principles. Since the root of those principles is the ultimate creator of the universe, it is far more challenging to argue against aggregate, universal values.
Paul underlined the necessity for Christians to continue to mature in Christ until the entire body of Christ is harmoniously connected and functioning in love, standing in the light of Christ (Huston 21). Their genuine holiness and moral superiority are to be restored, and they are to be remade in the image of God. The Bible instructs Christians to talk only about good things that would raise others to the level of Paul. In addition to avoiding hate, rage, and slander, Christians are expected to be gentle and forgiving.
Ephesians 6:9 instructs managers and leaders to do the same to employees as they do to themselves. A master of theology would, therefore, know that managers should treat and handle workers under them and the type of work they are assigned with respect. In other words, employees should not simply follow orders. Take care of the entire person. Respect your workers as precious people made in God’s image (Huston 12).
Nobody likes being micromanaged or given orders. That is because it must be consistent with how humans are naturally. People are creative and responsible since they were made in God’s likeness, and they all want to do good deeds and contribute to the world. Most individuals will live up to it if managers have that belief about them.
Theological Teachings on Management
Stewardship is the central management idea as it is presented in the Bible. The steward, the home manager, who manages the master’s property with the explicit intention of effectiveness, is at the system’s center (Bak-Coleman et al., 9). Man is tasked with “cultivating and protecting” the earth after God declares that humans will have dominion over the birds, fish, wild and domestic creatures, and all land.
The obligation to grow, enhance, and nurture the earth in harmony with everything else on the planet, while protecting it from degradation and deterioration, falls under human power over materials like the planet and its creatures. The steward of Christ has been given a great privilege. But, as the steward is a servant, this power must be maintained and presented with humility (Bak-Coleman et al., 11). Stewardship is the sweet spot where management and service meet. Remembering that non-Christian counterparts may recognize a Christian manager by their servant mindset is crucial.
Every human being is entrusted with the responsibility of management, individually and collectively. A chosen few have been given the added duty of leading others in particular fields. To emphasize that management is the very act of taking care of, while leadership provides direction, references to the distinctions between leadership and management are frequently made in the management literature (ten Have et al., 34). The idea that management skills and leadership are rarely encountered in the same individual is commonly expressed. Management is thought to regard its acts as short-term, while administration considers its direction-giving operations long-term.
Notwithstanding the widely recognized definition of management, which specifies that leadership is just one of its duties, this difference is made. One may make a compelling argument that putting too much emphasis on the distinction between leadership and managerial functions is risky because it supports the gradual diminishment of the servanthood component of Christian stewardship by giving the leader an aura at the detriment of the management components (Nass et al., 6).
Leadership is intimately related to the definition of stewardship in its broadest sense. Stewardship is a notion that is closely related to management. Governance is management. It includes both short-term daily operational tasks and long-term direction-setting choices and actions.
Christian managers and leaders ought to practice servant leadership. It is said to be more fortunate to give than to receive in Acts 20:35. To be reminded that Christian leaders should not rule over others, see Matthew 20:25-28. Christians ought to have a servant mentality and act as servant leaders, just as Christ came to serve humanity.
These verses strengthen the ideas of servant leadership, stewardship, and love. Christian managers cannot situate themselves to help best their institutions or the individuals they represent if they lack Christian ideals and ethical behavior. Christian managers and leaders can only function in God’s faithfulness and the abundance of His blessing with a repentant heart overflowing with God’s love.
A manager may now add a spiritual element to the workplace as a steward in the servant leadership position.Workers are viewed as fellow stewards who share the same goal in life—playing a part in God’s redemptive plan—rather than just as physical creatures with psychological and social demands (Ngesthi et al., 44).This gives the worker a genuine sense of purpose in life.
The manager is now a coworker with God, and because the employees are also coworkers and partners with God, the manager’s perspective on them has also altered. The resulting managerial approach may not vary considerably from the participatory administrative methods now advocated by researchers, practitioners, and consultants (Ngesthi et al., 40). However, the purpose driving the process and the organizational culture will be fundamentally different.
Conclusion
Christian values are derived from disseminating information about God and humanity through a biblical perspective, asmirrored in the Bible. Values evolve as biblical knowledge and comprehension increase (Nass et al., 4). They become unquestionable when a person is changed by the atoning work of Jesus Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
As Christians committed to leading a godly life according to biblical principles, continuous growth and transformation occur. As part of this procedure, Christian leaders must reflect divine ideals in the organizations they oversee (Nass et al., 6). Christian managers may show others an unnatural dedication to truth and love by putting Christ at the core of their moral principles and acting with integrity.
This transition to the predictable fulfillment of preset results is embodied in the managerialism culture, which strongly emphasizes the technocratic traits of managers. Only strict oversight and the use of established procedures can genuinely make this happen. To do it, one requires a highly calibrated and organized system (Hollinger 5). Therefore, it is not remarkable that these principles are noticeable in influencing practice and thinking in the management of social institutions as Western society evolves and becomes more focused on logical, rationalistic, and technocratic solutions—what is identified as an ideological commitment to scientism (Hollinger 8).
Nonetheless, there is a definite cultural conflict between the local Christian church and the majority administrative methods when there is a sincere dedication to the community and an embrace of life rather than the system, as the religious community believes that such intellectual resistance has its roots in a traditional society and a transcendent reality, their arguments have greater weight than those supporting the status quo.
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