The faithful put their trust in an MBA BUSINESS EDUCATION CHURCH
MANAGEMENT: Financial Times; London; Mar 15, 1999; Jones, Helen;
Abstract :
The Church of England is more likely to conjure up images of jumble sales and Mothers' Union meetings than high finance. But not any more. Britain's first MBA in church management starts this month with the aim of bringing business skills to the clergy.
Lincoln-based Bishop Grosseteste University College is running the course in association with the University of Hull. It is aimed at clergy of all Christian denominations and those working in Christian schools, colleges and charities, as well as practising Christians working in secular management posts.
Full Text: Copyright F.T. Business Enterprises Limited (FTBE) Mar 15, 1999
The Church of England is more likely to conjure up images of jumble sales and Mothers' Union meetings than high finance. But not any more. Britain's first MBA in church management starts this month with the aim of bringing business skills to the clergy.
Lincoln-based Bishop Grosseteste University College is running the course in association with the University of Hull. It is aimed at clergy of all Christian denominations and those working in Christian schools, colleges and charities, as well as practising Christians working in secular management posts.
Mark Chater, course leader, says "the intention is to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, attributes and experiences to make them effective and imaginative managers".
The part-time course will cover standard MBA modules but students will also learn about charity law and managing physical resources -agrowing problem for churches saddled with old and decaying plant, says Mr Chater. In addition, "they will also learn to develop a theology and spirituality of management so that management thinking is not allowed to take over, but remains at the service of the Church's message," he says.
Mr Chater admits that there is something of a dichotomy between religion and business because business is all about competition and the church is based on co-operation. But he adds, "this course is not about church people taking on management language and values uncritically. It is for those who are ambitious for their church and who are not afraid of contact with management ideas and who have the vision to implement them where appropriate."
The Rev Dr William Beaver, the Church's director of communications, says that as the church gains new business skills it will improve its image. "The prevailing view of the Church of England is that it is a slightly dotty, eccentric organisation but why shouldn't we be efficient and follow best practice in human resources, communication and operational matters?" He adds that the key to the MBA in church management is that it will "breed a whole new generation of ecclesiastical administrators who can take on the leadership of the organisation and take it forward into the next century."
Helen Jones Copyright Financial Times Limited 1999. All Rights Reserved.
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