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<p>This article explores the church as a&#xa0;field of action from a&#xa0;systemic-organizational perspective. It aims to illuminate the specific cultural and structural imprints within ecclesial contexts, outline current challenges, and derive implications for transformation processes and their facilitation. Churches are shaped by centuries of tradition, with their present-day structures having gradually evolved since the Reformation. Today, they operate as large-scale organizations fulfilling key societal roles.</p><p>A&#xa0;closer analysis reveals that churches have absorbed a&#xa0;wide array of cultural influences over time. Multiple organizational logics coexist, generating distinct dynamics within Protestant and Catholic traditions. These internal complexities become especially visible in the face of current societal shifts, which confront both churches with profound challenges. The traditional model of the “Volkskirche” is visibly eroding. Historically geared toward stability and institutional performance, existing reform strategies have largely fallen short—often intensifying the crisis rather than resolving it.</p><p>From a&#xa0;consulting perspective, this calls for a&#xa0;fundamental paradigm shift: one that moves beyond incremental change and engages with deeper systemic transformation. Understanding the hybrid organizational cultures and navigating their tensions is essential for effective intervention and sustainable development.</p>

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Kirchenentwicklung – Transformation einer Organisation mit Tradition

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月1日

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  • Valentin Dessoy

摘要

This article explores the church as a field of action from a systemic-organizational perspective. It aims to illuminate the specific cultural and structural imprints within ecclesial contexts, outline current challenges, and derive implications for transformation processes and their facilitation. Churches are shaped by centuries of tradition, with their present-day structures having gradually evolved since the Reformation. Today, they operate as large-scale organizations fulfilling key societal roles.

A closer analysis reveals that churches have absorbed a wide array of cultural influences over time. Multiple organizational logics coexist, generating distinct dynamics within Protestant and Catholic traditions. These internal complexities become especially visible in the face of current societal shifts, which confront both churches with profound challenges. The traditional model of the “Volkskirche” is visibly eroding. Historically geared toward stability and institutional performance, existing reform strategies have largely fallen short—often intensifying the crisis rather than resolving it.

From a consulting perspective, this calls for a fundamental paradigm shift: one that moves beyond incremental change and engages with deeper systemic transformation. Understanding the hybrid organizational cultures and navigating their tensions is essential for effective intervention and sustainable development.