The Emperor Unclothed

Abstract Decision-making within any organization is difficult. In pastoral organizations it involves leadership strengths and weaknesses as well as congregational wants and needs. Standing between them are parish councils and advisory boards of different kinds which serve to bridge the two. Often, these groups become attuned to working together and making decisions together. They try to achieve consensus among themselves as well as among the parish or church as a whole. Groupthink cautions us to question the absolute validity of consensus in pastoral decision-making. It directs us towards recognizing the importance of disagreement within the group and to seriously consider alternatives, and to view these alternatives as catalysts for personal and organizational spiritual development.