Webinar - Organizing the Church: Pyramid or Team?
On September 9, 2020 we hosted the webinar: Organizing the Church: Pyramid or Team?, in partnership with the Global Institute of Church Management.
The hierarchy vs. team dichotomy is a classic debate in organization studies. Proponents of participatory management have criticized hierarchy as an obstacle to efficient communication, motivation, and learning, while those who have defended hierarchy view it as indispensable for large organizations.
A similar debate exists in the Church, where there is long tradition of participatory vs. hierarchical modes of governance.
During the webinar our guests discussed:
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What is the right balance between hierarchy (clergy) and participation (of the laity)?
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Can hierarchy and teamwork coexist and leverage each other?
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Is there a theology of hierarchy and a theology of “inverted hierarchy”?
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How can we avoid the pitfalls of both organizational models as suggested by organization science?
Mary Hallan FioRito
Cardinal Francis George Fellow de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture
University of Notre Dame, United States
Rev. Fr. Robert Gahl
Vice Director, Markets, Culture and Ethics Research Centre at the
Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, Italy
Dr. John Hillen
Experienced CEO, Author, and Business School Professor at
George Mason University, United States
Dr. Pia de Solenni
Executive Director and President
Global Institute of Church Management
You may watch the recording of the webinar here:
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