The organisational life cycle principles applied to leadership practices in growing churches

Abstract

Effective leadership plays a crucial role in the sustainability of any institution, including religious organisations such as the church. Although this assertion may be widely recognised, the difficulty lies in identifying the appropriate leadership to effectively guide the organisation. What instrument could be employed to aid in the identification of suitable leadership for newly established and expanding churches? The present article posits the utilisation of the organisation life cycle (OLC) theory tool, which is grounded in integrative models. The evaluation of an organisation’s life span conception across various stages is conducted through the utilisation of the non-deterministic OLC framework. This article examines the correlation between OLC and leadership styles, with the objective of elucidating how OLC models can aid nascent expanding churches in identifying suitable leadership based on their growth stage. Contribution: This article provides a contribution to ongoing discussions regarding conflict management within organisational contexts, including those within religious institutions such as the church. The obstacles encountered by religious institutions and their corresponding resolutions are intertwined with the principles of organisational management. Enhancing comprehension of the correlation between organisational leadership and management contributes to the advancement of our scholarly comprehension. This would aid nascent, expanding churches in identifying the appropriate leadership strategies necessary for their sustenance.