Church Administration

SKILLS NOT JUST EXHORTATIONS NEEDED

From early days in my Christian life I realised that there is a lot of exhortation and commands from teachers, preachers, parents and others who have any kind of authority over us. There is a high level of expectation from us. However, there is very little instruction in skills – in “how to” do the things we are exhorted, commanded and expected to do. I therefore made a commitment to make sure that in my ministry I would definitely and specifically devote some time to teaching skills in how to obey or perform the duties and commands given to us. I therefore am venturing on writing some of these articles with the prayer that they will help you do what is expected of you.

 

CHURCH ADMINISTRATION

I want to begin with the administration of our local churches. My focus is the local church but these things can be applied to denominations and organsiations.  Feel to change and adapt as necessary for your situation.

 

This first article is purely introductory because each State in each country/nation has its own laws and rules and regulations for non-profit or Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Local Churches and Christian Organisations may or may not come under the same laws. Please be sure to check your local government website yourself and never just depend on experts for their advice. I have oftentimes found the so-called experts are not necessarily up-to-date on their information.

 

You may be aware of some of the areas that are required for pastors to know about Church Administration. At the same time there are some areas in Church Administration that we won’t think of due to our lack of experience in pastoral ministry and our ignorance of our own culture and of Governmental requirements. By the way, in a Court of Law ignorance is not an excuse and you can be prosecuted in spite of pleading ignorance.

 

DEVELOPING A LIST OF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS

You should make a list of things that you, in your particular situation, need to deal with. To help you get started listed below are some areas of what MAY be essential for the running of any local church (not in any particular order):

 

• How to develop an accountable Team (and Team ministry) – even at the initial stages of your church-plant BEFORE the Elder Board is established
• How to select and develop an Elder Board who constitute the leadership of the local church
• Importance, procedure, and legal requirements for the Registration of your local church
• Principles and laws regarding collecting and spending money
• Legal and practical issues related to marriages, baptisms, and funerals
• The nature, purpose, and legal issues related to church membership
• How to conduct effective Annual General Meetings and leadership meetings
• How to prepare and maintain a church budget.
• How to shepherd the church toward healthy giving habits
• How to build, lead, and coordinate a church staff (i.e. what positions are necessary, what are their tasks, etc.)
• Ideas for planning church camps, Conferences, and other special events
• Planning and conducting the worship service
• Long-term planning

 

There may be other things also, but these are some of the basic essentials.

 

DOES THE BIBLE SAY ANYTHING ABOUT ADMINISTRATION?

Is there a biblical basis for being efficient in our administration of the church? Let’s look at some scripture.

 

Turn to 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. It will be good to read (and study carefully) both these chapters because they deal with a very basic foundation for our lives in both normal and spiritual survival. These chapters have important teaching about money – as an aside I want you to know that bible researchers have found out there is more teaching in the bible about money than about heaven! For our thinking let’s just look at chapter 8:16-24

 

2Co 8:16But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. 18With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. 20We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. 22And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

 

In the collection of funds for needy Christians Paul is careful to have efficient administration. He gets Titus to head a finance team to oversee this work (vs. 16-17). Another brother who is well-known and approved by a group of churches is also appointed as part of the finance team (vs. 18-19). Look carefully at vs. 20-21 – Paul desires accountability and to be honourable before God but also before men. In v. 22 Paul goes on to speak of testing and proven character before appointment of the brother.

 

The book of Nehemiah has wonderful lessons in administration and a study of that book. The work ethic and methods of Nehemiah are well worth our spending time to comprehensively understand that book. Most of the Pentateuch in the Old Testament demonstrate God’s carefulness in instructing Moses and the children of Israel in their tribal order, the building of the Tabernacle, the work of the Levites, etc., etc. You can trace administrative details in the way David and Solomon established their kingdoms and in the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus had order in the choosing and training of the disciples and in Acts you have clues to the numbering of the believers (3000 in Chapter 3 and 5000 in Chapter 4) and the organisational detail in Acts 6 for meeting the needs of the widows. Paul gives instructions for the Communion service and the running of the local churches besides teaching doctrine. The bible emphasises order and efficiency (1 Cor. 14:40).

 

May God bless you as you serve Him and His Church in a way that makes you most effective and fruitful (Jn. 15:8).