Max Weber is well known for his contribution of the ideal-type to sociology. One specific example is the Ideal-type bureaucracy, which “is capable of attaining the highest degree of efficiency, and is in this sense formally the most rational known means of exercising authority over human beings” (p.126). Weber went on to describe the major characteristics of an ideal-type bureaucracy as:
1. It consists of a continuous organization of official functions (offices) bound by rules.
2. Each office has a specified sphere of competence. The office carries with it a set of obligations to perform various functions, the authority to carry out these functions.
3. The offices are organized into a hierarchical system.
4. The offices may carry with them technical qualifications that require that the participants obtain suitable training.
5. The staff that fills these offices does not own the means of production associated with them; staff members are provided with the use of those things that they need to do the job.
6. The incumbent is not allowed to appropriate the position; it always remains part of the organization.
7. Administrative acts, decisions, and rules are formulated and recorded in writing (p.127).
When reading through these traits I automatically think of the church, which might be a stretch but I believe there are some valid points. First, if your church is part of an organization or underneath a hierarchy then there are multiple offices bound by rules. Even if a church is viewed independently, I would argue that there’s a good chance that there are multiple levels of offices that might end with the senior pastor as having the highest rank within the church. Second, the offices have a specified sphere of competence which can be likened to individual ministries within a church. For instance, individuals running the nursery probably would not have any power over what goes on in the sound booth. Third, within a church it’s debatable if all the offices are organized into a hierarchical system. There are some that are potentially on the same level while maybe the office of deacon, pastor, or bishop might have a higher rank. If a church is part of a convention then I would say there definitely is a chance that they are separated by hierarchy. Fourth, most positions within a church probably require some sort of qualification. It might require knowledge on how to perform a task or possibly require ability such as musical talent. Fifth, staff members of a church fill the offices but never own the office and more often than not, they are provided the materials necessary for the office. Sixth, I would view the incumbent as most likely the pastor, deacon, or any other member of authority in a church. Even though someone can fill the position, the office always remains part of the church. Finally, most churches will always document decisions that are made on how the church should be operated. Rules are formulated and recorded in writing as a reference for future use.
Although not everyone would agree with this representation of a church, there are some churches that operate almost like businesses. In my opinion, the church would be a suitable example for Weber’s ideal-type bureaucracy because it closely parallels Weber’s seven major characteristics.
References:
Ritzer, George and Douglas Goodman. 2004. Sociological Theory. 6th edition. New York: McGraw Hill.
1. It consists of a continuous organization of official functions (offices) bound by rules.
2. Each office has a specified sphere of competence. The office carries with it a set of obligations to perform various functions, the authority to carry out these functions.
3. The offices are organized into a hierarchical system.
4. The offices may carry with them technical qualifications that require that the participants obtain suitable training.
5. The staff that fills these offices does not own the means of production associated with them; staff members are provided with the use of those things that they need to do the job.
6. The incumbent is not allowed to appropriate the position; it always remains part of the organization.
7. Administrative acts, decisions, and rules are formulated and recorded in writing (p.127).
When reading through these traits I automatically think of the church, which might be a stretch but I believe there are some valid points. First, if your church is part of an organization or underneath a hierarchy then there are multiple offices bound by rules. Even if a church is viewed independently, I would argue that there’s a good chance that there are multiple levels of offices that might end with the senior pastor as having the highest rank within the church. Second, the offices have a specified sphere of competence which can be likened to individual ministries within a church. For instance, individuals running the nursery probably would not have any power over what goes on in the sound booth. Third, within a church it’s debatable if all the offices are organized into a hierarchical system. There are some that are potentially on the same level while maybe the office of deacon, pastor, or bishop might have a higher rank. If a church is part of a convention then I would say there definitely is a chance that they are separated by hierarchy. Fourth, most positions within a church probably require some sort of qualification. It might require knowledge on how to perform a task or possibly require ability such as musical talent. Fifth, staff members of a church fill the offices but never own the office and more often than not, they are provided the materials necessary for the office. Sixth, I would view the incumbent as most likely the pastor, deacon, or any other member of authority in a church. Even though someone can fill the position, the office always remains part of the church. Finally, most churches will always document decisions that are made on how the church should be operated. Rules are formulated and recorded in writing as a reference for future use.
Although not everyone would agree with this representation of a church, there are some churches that operate almost like businesses. In my opinion, the church would be a suitable example for Weber’s ideal-type bureaucracy because it closely parallels Weber’s seven major characteristics.
References:
Ritzer, George and Douglas Goodman. 2004. Sociological Theory. 6th edition. New York: McGraw Hill.