Biblical Perspective and Students

¶ … drug addiction and related behavioral problems evident in young children at public schools. An organizational behavior perspective can shed light on the causes and solutions to this problem. David Wood Elementary School can use some of the tools available from a Biblical perspective of organizational behavior in order to help students like James. A Biblical perspective can parallel any of the "images of organization" that Morgan (2006) proposes, but particularly the "organizations as brains" model of learning and self-organization and the "organization as flux and transformation" image of "unfolding logics of change," (Morgan, 2006). Organizations like schools have trouble with the types of changes required to address James' problems. The reasons why schools may have trouble with change include the bureaucratic structure of the organization and the political influences on its leaders. A Biblical perspective can inject new life and power into the leadership of schools, in order to generate long-term changes designed to help all students.

Biblical principles revolve around central tenets, including the fact that all people are created in God's image, which requires that education be used towards spiritual goals ("The Christian Philosophy of Education," n.d.). The tenets embedded in the Bible are relatively straightforward, and can influence the ethical decision-making by teachers and school administrators. Because students like James are children, the parents would be held accountable and should take responsibility for the behavioral issues. Unfortunately, many of the parents also suffer from tremendous pressures. Some are victims of abuse themselves, and many face financial strain or mental health concerns. Because of this, students like James are growing up in unstable environments that do not allow them to live up to their full potential emotionally, socially, or academically.

A spiritual perspective offers the opportunity to envision solutions to James' problems and similar issues that may be present in the community. As Whittington (2016) points out, a Biblical view of spiritual leadership is qualitatively different because the Bible provides role models for effective change. It is important to change the ways classrooms are managed, and also change the roles of teachers in classrooms. Educators can use a Biblical lens to understand their role in the organizational system. Biblical role models from both Old Testament and New Testament can offer structure to the direction that new pedagogical and behavioral management techniques can follow. While some of the biblical methods of discipline and social control will seem harsh or outmoded, they can nevertheless be instructional models, anecdotal models, and allegorical models.

The chapter on flux and transformation in Morgan (2006) demonstrates how organizations like David Woods Elementary can learn from James. Drug addiction and other behavioral problems are cries for help in the community. An approach that welcomes change depends on a diverse workplace environment that welcomes multiple points-of-view. Organizations that are bureaucratic and governmental in nature are also highly complex and impacted by shifts in social norms and political whims. New education-related legislation may emerge at any given time. It is important for educational leaders to become more powerful in local, state, and hopefully federal politics so that a more balanced, cogent, and meaningful perspective can influence the future of educational legislation. Current models of educational organizational culture are not serving students like James. James has revealed signs of depression, or at least losing interest in the activities and people that once made him thrive in the educational environment. Teachers have noticed the problems with James and are dedicated to helping him, but have few resources to help. A Biblical perspective shows how the educational leaders can divert financial and human resources towards improving the role teachers play in helping James and other students.