Organizational Culture

Introduction

The church is an institution that since its inception many have looked up to it for guidance comfort, encouragement and direction.  Individual’s organizations and even governments have recognized the influence and the impact of the church as a tool for social change and transformation. This influence can be traced back to the teaching of God’s word that offer hope support and encouragement to all.

Many times it’s been said that the church is not the building that believers gather to pray but it is the believers who form the church. The believers are human beings and wherever human beings are culture is present.  Culture informs how organizations are run and how business is conducted. This assignment sheds light on both the functional and dysfunctional culture in the local church that I attend.

Functional effects of my local organizational church’s culture

In discussing the functional effects of culture it is important to first acknowledge that culture is an intangible force and it plays a number of important roles in churches.

1. Organization culture provides a sense of identity.

 In organizations where shared values and perceptions are clearly defined, most of its people tend to strongly associate with its goals and mission as they feel a vital part of it. Something of great importance I have observed in my church is that there is such a strong sense of ownership. The congregants want to affiliate themselves with the church even outside the Sunday services. At least 80% of the church members can articulately share the church vision and mission. There is a strong sense of identity and ownership in my church.

1. Organizational culture clarifies and reinforces standards of behavior.

My local church culture strongly clarifies and reinforces standards of behavior. When new staff members and pastors are being inducted, it is effectively communicated that noble character is paramount in the business we are in. secondly the new team members sign a code of conduct which they commit to keep and adhere to.

1. Defining boundaries

Organizational culture plays a key role in differentiating an organization from another. Culture has a powerful aspect of distinguishing one entity from another. My local church has aspects that are very unique. It was informally called the DNA. The church’s leadership had a mandate to make sure that all staff members had the DNA.  

1. Promoting commitment

Culture facilitates the generation of commitment to something larger than self-interest. I am a witness to this functional aspect of culture. I have seen people abandon their lucrative careers to be part of the church’s vision and mission. I have also seen people serving passionately because of the culture that has been propagated. The culture in my local church has resulted to people giving sacrificially towards to the church and its programs. Indeed a culture plays a key role in building commitment.