Lesson 8 - Biblical Philosophy To Management

THE BIBLICAL PHILOSOPHY
OF MANAGEMENT
The Biblical philosophy of management is

derived from various management styles
stipulated in the Bible. God Created Man
and put him in charge of the creation. He
was to be steward, a manager over what
God had created. Management here is
seen as a responsibility to take care of
what has been entrusted unto you.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Across the Bible and particularly in the Old
Testament we find successful kings who
were able to manage wars and their
Kingdoms. We see Daniel who the Bible
describes as a talented administrator. The
ability to effectively manage is seen as
part of the wisdom that comes from God.
• Nehemiah also showed very useful
qualities of Leadership.
OF MANAGEMENT
• The concept of management in the New
Testament is that of servant manager. The
mother of James and John, the sons of
Zebedee brought them to Jesus and
respectfully asked for a favour. She
wanted her sons to sit on both sides of the
throne of Jesus. Jesus indicated that
anybody who wants to be a leader must
be a servant.( Mt 20:20-28) and Mark (10:
35-45).
OF MANAGEMENT
• The Christian manager is to serve those
under by helping them to reach maximum
effectiveness. The higher up the person
goes, the more he is to serve. In fact, the
head of the organization is to be totally at
the service of those under him (like a slave
is to a master).
OF MANAGEMENT
• Authority
• Most Managers use their authority to load it over
the subordinates. In 1 Kings 12:7, King
Rehoboam chose to ignore God’s approach to
management and tried to “lord it over” his
people. Rehoboam asked the Elder statesmen
of the nation how he should lead the people.
They replied that if he could be a servant to the
people he was going to succeed.
OF MANAGEMENT
• But the King ignored their advice and used
his power to oppress, manipulate, and to
exploit the people. The result was a
rebellion and he lost part of the Kingdom.
OF MANAGEMENT
• The Biblical approach is that the person
should use his authority and power to
serve the people. The Biblical approach to
management can be summed up as the
“process of meeting the needs of people
as they work at accomplishing their jobs”.
OF MANAGEMENT
• A case study in the Bible that we can usefully
principles in management is the people attempts
to build a Tower of Babel in (Genesis 11: 1-9).
God came and confused the language of the
people. Key principles to be noted in case study
here include:
• Commitment to work on a goal.
• Unity among the people
• An effective communication system
• Doing the will of God.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Unlimited power is generated in an
organization when people have a
commitment to work on a goal.
OF MANAGEMENT
Talents and creativity
• Another important concept in management is the
use of talents and creativity. This is illustrated
by Jesus in the parable of the talents. Each
manager who Is given a resource to manage is
expected to be creative and multiply. God
expects people to use their abilities and talents
effectively.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Therefore the Christian leader must encourage
maximization of ability. God has given people
unlimited creativity ability for innovation and
problem solving. People should then be given
opportunities for coming up with ideas. Gen. 11:
6. God says nothing will be impossible to them.
That meant that there is a solution to every
problem.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Empowering subordinates
• In Mathew 4: 19 Jesus calls Simon Peter
and his brother Andrew” Come, follow me,
and I will make you fishers of men” Jesus
offered training to his disciples and
opportunity to them to put their ability to
work. This is a mark of an excellent leader.
Empowering people to make decisions is
another important principle in the bible.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Jesus Christ is the best manager and
developer of human resource the world
has ever seen. He created a work
environment and trained and developed a
team that created a church that is still
existing 2000 years later in a rapidly
changing industrial, political and social
environment. Two of the most important
principles are: trust and giving people to
authority to make decisions.
OF MANAGEMENT
• It is trusting people to make decisions and
this eventually gives people opportunity to
use their creativity. Jesus told his disciples
to go yee into the world and preach the
Good news to all creation ( mark 16:15).
Mt: 28: 18- 20, the great commission- all
authority in heaven and earth has been
given to me .
OF MANAGEMENT
• Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and holy Spirit and
teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you” the result of Jesus
giving His followers power to decide how
to reach people with the gospel is seen a
few years later when Paul and Silas were
described as men who have turned the
world upside down ( Acts 17:6).
OF MANAGEMENT
Learning from failure
• Another important aspect is learning from failure.
There is a lot to be learned from failing. Jesus
demonstrated this when the disciples failed to
heal a young boy; Mt: 17; 14-21. Later they were
able to heal a lame Beggar (Acts: 3: 1-10). Peter
denied Jesus 3 times but still he recollected
himself and become a strong defender of faith
and ready to die for Christ – (Acts 5:17-42).
OF MANAGEMENT
• Fear of failure can stifle creativity and reduces
productivity. It reduces the willingness to risk.
Failure can be one of life’s best teachers if
people are given an opportunity to correct their
mistakes and succeed. On the other hand if
handled improperly by the leader, failure can
completely destroy an individual’s self- image,
motivation and productivity. Failure can turn a
courageous, insightful person into a fearful and
defeated one.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Recognize the people and their
contribution
• Recognizing people is also an important
management principle in the Bible. This is
clearly demonstrated in the parable of the
talents. Mt: 25:21-23- “Well done, good
and faithful servant. You have been faithful
with a few things; I will put in charge of
many things”.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Proverbs 3:27- “Do not withhold good to
those who deserve, when it is in your
power to act” Rom: 13:7-“ Give everyone
what you owe him; if you owe taxes, pay
taxes, if respect, then respect, if honour,
then honour” the verses indicates that you
give people credit and recognition for their
accomplishments.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Giving recognition costs nothing. Yet it is one of
the most overlooked and least used tools of
motivation a leader has at his disposal. An
American Consulting company while
undertaking an organizational analysis, an
employee mentioned that “ just once I wish
someone around here would tell me how I’m
doing. I’ve worked here two years and I don’t
know if I’m doing a good or bad job. Sometimes
I’m not even sure they know I work here” .
Recognition demonstrates that you need and
appreciate people’s contribution.
OF MANAGEMENT
• No one leader would say he or she does not
appreciate the contribution of people. However,
many communicate that by failure to voice
appreciation for their efforts. People need to feel
they are needed. Recognition satisfies this need.
Ways in which we can recognize people in
organization.
• A pat on the back
• Greetings along the corridor.
• Eye contact
OF MANAGEMENT
• Mentioning achievements in company
magazine or news letter.
• Letter of appreciation, thank you or
commendation.
• Employee of the year or month
• Special picture with the boss
• Special parking space
• Access to some special facilities.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Giving recognition stimulates people to use their
creativity to achieve the group’s organizational
goals and objectives.
• Teamwork
• Another important principle is teamwork- A team
is defined as two or more people moving along a
path of interaction toward a common goal. A
team enables people to accomplishment more
than they could working individually.
Ecclesiastes: 4: 9-13 “ Two can accomplish
more than twice as much as one, for the results
can be much better”.
OF MANAGEMENT
• If one fall, the other pulls him up, but if a
man falls when alone, he’s in trouble. Also
a cold night, two under the same blanket
gain warmth from each other, but how can
one be warm alone. And one standing
alone can be attacked and defeated, but
two can stand back-to back and conquer,
three is even better for triple braided rope
is not easily broken”
• Jesus applied this principle consistently.
OF MANAGEMENT
• He formed team of twelve men trained
them to carry on His work after He
ascended into heaven. Mark 6:7-13 –
describes Jesus dividing His disciples into
two man teams and sending them out to
preach the gospel, heal the sick and cast
out demons.
OF MANAGEMENT
Excellent working relationships
• Another principle is good working relations.
Psalmist - says “How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity:
(Psalm:133:1). Paul echoed this theme by
saying: I appeal to you brothers in the name of
Jesus that all of you agree with one another so
that there may be no divisions among you and
that you may be perfectly united in mind and
thought”.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Relationships are based on fulfilling some
needs. Relationship start as a process as
shown below.
• Cooperation Retaliation
Domination Isolation Termination
OF MANAGEMENT
• All relationships tend to begin in a
cooperation style and remain there as long
as all needs are being met within the
relations. When unmet needs emerge, the
relationship moves into a retaliation style,
where one person or group is attempting
to gain control over the other in order to
get needs met.
OF MANAGEMENT
• As soon as someone wins the struggle for
control, a new relationship style develops-
domination. In this style the dominator uses
others to get his needs met. As soon as the
dominated person or group realizes the situation
is hopeless and their own needs will not be met,
they move into isolation style of relationship.
This is the last type of relationship prior to
termination. Relationships should be kept at
cooperation stage.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Planning
• Planning is central in the Biblical perspective of
management. Proverbs 24:3-4 “ Any enterprise
is built by wise planning, becomes stronger
through common sense, and profits wonderfully
by keeping abreast of the facts” God has a plan
for every individual. Jr: 29: 11 “ For I know the
plans I have for you declares the lord, plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
you hope and a future”
OF MANAGEMENT
• God is the source of power to achieve
plans. Proverbs 16:9- “ In his heart a man
plans his course, but the lord determines
his steps” Noah Ark was a perfect
example of God’s master plan for
mankind. God also crafted a salvation plan
for mankind through the entire Bible. The
Bible details God’s plan to save man right
from the time he failed at the garden of
Aden.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Decision making
• Planning and decision making go hand in hand.
The planning process involves the most
important and far reaching decisions a leader or
a manager make. The entire planning process
consists of a series of interrelated decisions. The
quality of any plans depends on how good the
decision is that make up the plans. All people in
leadership positions have one thing in common,
that is making decisions that affect them and
others
OF MANAGEMENT
• How does one make right decisions? The bible
gives the answer. Ps:25:12- “ Where is the man
who fears the lord? God will teach him how to
choose the best” The hallmark of making
decisions according to the Bible is knowing
God’s will. The challenge is always knowing the
will of God. The will is sought through the
process of decision making:
OF MANAGEMENT
• Time management
Time is an important resource. Col 4: 5- “ Be
wise in the way you act towards outsiders;
make the most of every opportunity. The
following are time robbers.
• Procrastination
• Poor personal planning and schedule
• Interruptions by people without
appointments
OF MANAGEMENT
• Poor delegation
• Poor use of telephone
• Reading junk mail
• Lack of clear priorities
Strategies for managing time
• Time inventory- scheduling time
• Things to do list
OF MANAGEMENT
Pareto principle-
• Named after Vilfredo Pareto- 19th century
Italian economist and sociologist states
that 80% of the value of a group of items
generally concentrates in only 20% of
them. For example
• 80% of the telephone calls come from
20% of the callers
OF MANAGEMENT
• 80% of the meals ordered in a restaurant come
from 20% of the all the menus
• 80% of the sales of a clock- making company
come from 20% of the models
• 80% of the work done in the organization is
effectively done by 20% of the committed
employees.
• By focusing on 20% of the most important tasks,
you achieve 80% of the goals or objectives. The
vital 20% input = 80% out-put
OF MANAGEMENT
• Planning work, what, when, how and who
will do it
• Analyzing the time log- keeping record of
activities over a given period of time and
analyzing the activities with the view of
eliminating unnecessary activities and
setting priorities right.
• Setting priorities
OF MANAGEMENT
• low urgency/low importance
• Low urgency/high importance
• High urgent/ high importance
• Delegating work
OF MANAGEMENT
Delegating
• Delegation consists of transferring authority,
responsibility and accountability from one
person or group to another. In most cases it
involves moving authority from a higher level in
an organization to another. Exodus 18:13-26
provides an excellent case study on delegation.
The setting involves Moses leadership of
Israelites on their way to Canaan.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Moses’s Job description included
arbitration of cases among the Israelites,
and he would sit from morning to evening
listening and coming up with verdicts of
various cases that came before him.
Moses Father in Law Jethro observed the
situating and urged Moses to delegate the
responsibility by appointing judges to
arbitrate over cases.
OF MANAGEMENT
Why managers do not delegate
• The job would not be done the way I would do it
• Subordinates lack the necessary training and
experience
• I enjoy doing the work and therefore do not want
to delegate.
• The subordinates are specialists and do not
have the overall picture
• Somebody else will take the credit for the job.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Employees are too busy
• It takes more time to explain
• Employees are not ready to accept responsibility
• Fear of lack of control of the delegated work.
• Employees can make mistakes which can be
costly
• My position enables me to take quick action
• Some matters cannot be delegated easily to any
one.
OF MANAGEMENT
• The advantages of delegating include:
• Makes managers job easy
• Creates time to do more important tasks.
• Increases productivity, decisions can be
made faster, wider scope of output.
• Develops additional leadership
• Is an effective way of recognizing
employees and motivates and stimulates
commitment.
OF MANAGEMENT
• Stimulates creativity
• Demonstrates trust and confidence in
employees ability
• Maximizes human resource.
• Empowers employees in terms of skills
and knowledge
CHARATERISTICS OF A
CHRISTIAN MANAGER
• Applies the concept of servant leadership. In
1 Kings 12 – King Rehoboam was advised to be
a servant leader, but ignored to advised and
loaded his authority on te people and this led to
rebellion. The result was rebellion, and led to
division of the Kingdom- Judah and Israel. Rush
( 1988) states the following on servant
leadership:
• “
CHARATERISTICS OF A
CHRISTIAN MANAGER
• The leader should look for ways to serve those
under him. People have lots of needs to be met.
The weak need to be strengthened and
encouraged. The sick need to be healed. The
stray need to be brought back. The lost need to
be found….Keep in mind that the effective
leader uses his position and authority to serve
the needs of others, not to force them to serve
his needs. The good leader or manager is
constantly looking for ways to help his people, to
make their jobs easier, more satisfying, more
meaningful and more productive”
CHARATERISTICS OF A
CHRISTIAN MANAGER
• 1 Peter 5:2 “ Be shepherds of God’s flock
that is under your care, serving as
overseers, not because you must, but
because you are willing, as God wants you
to be”
CHARATERISTICS OF A
CHRISTIAN MANAGER
• Appropriately discerns situations. Christian
manager understands that God equips leaders
with the skills and qualities to lead and that God
places leaders in positions ( John 19:11). Thus
the leaders or manager must have constant
communication with God through prayer in order
to keep in tune with the leading of God in all
situations. Prayer must be the first thing the
manager turns to when making decision. It
should not be the last resort after all the
techniques or everything else has been done.
CHARATERISTICS OF A
CHRISTIAN MANAGER
• Serves as a role model. Christian manager
should know that he or she sets the tone for the
department. Employees will evaluate the
leader’s character to see what he or she
believes and whether this translates into
acceptable behaviors and attitudes. The
manager should remember that he represents
Christ to employees and personal actions must
be consistent with true Christian beliefs and
principles- (1 Peter 5:3).
CHARATERISTICS OF A
CHRISTIAN MANAGER
• Treats Employees with Dignity – As
image bearers of God, employees are
worthy of respect and have the right to be
treated with dignity. The Christian
manager must keep in mind that, in God’s
eyes, all employees are equal and
equipped them with special talent and
called each to his/her position.
CHARATERISTICS OF A
CHRISTIAN MANAGER
• Is committed to excellence. Paul wrote in
Collosians-3:17,23-24 “ And whatever you do in
word or deed, do all in the name of the lord
Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the
Father …. Whatever you do, do your work
heartily, as for the lord rather than for men:
knowing that from the lord you will receive the
reward of inheritance.” A Christian manager
knows that the work done is not for the boss or
organization but for God and therefore one has
to perform to the best of ability.
CHARATERISTICS OF A
CHRISTIAN MANAGER
• Exhibit integrity- This denotes behaviour
in accordance with a strict code of values,
moral, artistic, honesty, entirety, the quality
of wholeness, something without mark or
strain, soundness, being a leader f
integrity involves following through on
what the leader said he or she was going
to do.
CHARATERISTICS OF A
CHRISTIAN MANAGER
• Practices participative decision-
making- Christian manager must see to
involve employees in decision making.
Their input will not only lead to making the
best decision but will but it is the right thing
to do.- ( 11 Samuel 18: 3-4).
CHARATERISTICS OF A
CHRISTIAN MANAGER
• Delegates responsibilities and authority –
Delegation goes beyond participative decision
making. It involves a manager handing over
projects and tasks to employees for which he or
she is responsible. It involves the following:
• Transfer of work
• Transfer of authority
• Acceptance of responsibility by the subordinate
and to perform the work diligently
CHARATERISTICS OF A
CHRISTIAN MANAGER
• Importance of follow up and accountability
by the person delegating. Delegation does
not mean abandoning all the interest in the
work. The leader is still accountable and
should be available to give advice
whenever the need arises.
CHARATERISTICS OF A
CHRISTIAN MANAGER
• Fosters team spirit- The Christian manager
should consider all the people in the department
as a team, working cooperatively with other
departments so that the company as a whole will
run smoothly and efficiently. As a team leader
the manager should try to foster an environment
where there is mutual trust and respect, where
the manager and employees care about each
other are working together toward company
goals and there is high level of commitment in
the relationships between people.

Lesson 8 - Biblical Philosophy To Management

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lesson 8 - Biblical Philosophy To Management

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

THE BIBLICAL PHILOSOPHY

The Biblical philosophy of management is

You might also like