Value Innovation in Church Administration: A Theological-Orthodox Reading of the “Blue Ocean” and the ERSC Matrix
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study proposes a theological-orthodox reinterpretation of contemporary management concepts—particularly “value innovation,” the “blue ocean strategy,” and the E.R.S.C. matrix—within the framework of church administration. Starting from the premise that such concepts cannot be directly imported into the ecclesial context without distortion, the paper argues for their “theological translation,” whereby their underlying logic is reoriented toward the service of the person, communion, and oikonomia. The analysis demonstrates that church administration cannot be understood as a neutral technical system, but as a form of diakonia, intrinsically linked to the ecclesial nature of the Church as the Body of Christ. Consequently, “value” is redefined not in utilitarian or economic terms, but as concrete good: the protection of human dignity, the strengthening of communion, the accessibility of liturgical and pastoral life, and the responsible use of resources. Within this framework, innovation is understood as a Christ-centered renewal of administrative practices, while differentiation (“blue ocean”) becomes a form of service rather than competition. The E.R.S.C. matrix is reinterpreted as an ascetical discipline of discernment, guiding administrative decisions through criteria rooted in theological anthropology and ecclesial ethics. Furthermore, the study addresses the ethical meaning of surplus, the role of transparency, the integration of virtue and competence in organizational culture, and the transformation of communication from image management into truthful witness. Ultimately, the paper argues that authentic church administration is not defined by procedural efficiency alone, but by its capacity to manifest, through structures and decisions, the love of Christ in concrete institutional life.
Source: Religions
DOI: 10.3390/rel17050620
Author: Doru Negricea
Institution: Ovidius University
Language: English
Subfield: Religious studies
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,172
OpenAlex ID: W7162003142