Doctoral Disertation

Organisational Development is a planned strategy to bring about organizational change. The change effort aims at specific objectives and is based on a diagnosis of problem areas. Planning serves as a roadmap by which the organization can visualize where they are going and how to get there. There has been reluctance on the part of church leaders (Pastors) to adopt formal planning. Reasons for this include a lack of training in the planning process and a belief that planning is not biblical or indicates a lack of faith. The Bible encourages planning and the involvement of others in the process, as noted in the following four scriptural verses: (Proverbs 29:18)" Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 15:22)"Without counsel, purpose is disappointed, but in the multitude of counselors, they are established". (Proverbs19:20) "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days". (Prov.20:18), "Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war."Lack of planning is noted in the perceived inability of many church leaders and pastors to meet the needs of their congregation and others ministered to by the church. Poor planning can be attributed as the cause for many churches' failures in achieving their ministerial and organizational goals and as a result, many churches today are facing declining membership and attendance levels as numerous activities divert individuals away from church. Many former churchgoers feel that church is out of touch with them and has not responded to their needs. Organisational development can be used to stem this negative trend. A church should identify the needs of the community; set goals for meeting those needs, and formulate a plan for achieving those goals. The research is tailored in such a way that the following objectives are achieved: 1). To examine the extent planning is being used by "Holiness Power Bible Ministries "to achieve its organizational goals.2).positive relationship between formal planning and growth rates of membership and 3). Finances. Data will be gathered through distribution of a questionnaire, telephone survey to church leaders and pastors and through review of relevant literature. Finally, in my own view I believe that at the end of this research work, the general public with their belief that "Holiness Power Bible Ministeries"will not survive the future challenges would have been proved groundless.