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SEMINARS BITES

UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF CHURCH ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES

INTRODUCTION

CONCEPT AND NATURE OF THE CHURCH
Church has been defined by different people according to their perspectives.

In the Old Testament, Church is known as:
i. “edah” – A congregation, a meeting, an assembly from ya’ad, “to appoint, meet, set Numbers 27:16,17 Joshua 22:12,16,17.

ii. “qahal”- a commonwealth, the organised body that meets, the congregation Lev 4:13-15.

iii. Greek translation in LXX
– Synagogue = a gathering or meeting, later a place of meeting. - Ekklesia = a lawful assembly of all those possessed of the rights of citizenship

The New Testament Church is:
a. “ekklesia” – “called out” people “assembly” Acts 19: 32,39,41, “a called out company” the gathering of God’s people.
b. the aggregation of all believers in Christ who were called out of worldly pollution and sins to serve God 1Peter 2:9.
c. It is the community of Christians located in every part of the world having had encounter with the gospel i.e. universal church.
d. It is gathering of believers in Christ, the redeemed at all times (complete body of Christ)
e. It is also called “kunakos” meaning that “which belongs to the Lord, while “oikos” implies “house” i.e. “kuriaka*oikia” i.e. the Lord’s home.
f. Church is the instrument of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ through which gospel will meet all human needs for real change.

IMPLICATION OF DEFINITION AND NATURE OF THE CHURCH
I. The church is GOD’S people i.e. children of God who have confessed and received Christ as their Saviour and Lord, John 1:11-12 having repented 11 Cor 7:10 Acts 20:21.
II. It is a Christ volunteer Organisation formed for fellowship of believers 1john 1:7, Acts 2:42.
III. Church belongs to God. It is God’s property or heritage Matt 16:17-18. 1Tim 3:15, Heb. 10:24-25. It is not the property of any church official no matter the position.
IV. Christ is the head of the church. 1pet5:2,4 Matt16:18 Eph2:20, Matt28:18
V. Authority is vested in the official representatives collectively heb13:17 1pet5:2-3 1Tes5:12 Matt18:17-18.
VI. It is judicial and declarative, not penal or legislative Matt18:18 Matt16:18.

PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH
i. Worship
ii. Ministry
iii. Evangelism
iv. Going, Baptising and Teaching v. Discipleship
vi. Develop, equip and educate minds.

i. Etymology
– “Administration” is derived from the Latin word “ad-ministraire” meaning “to serve common use”.

– The Greek word for “administration” is “kubernesis” which implies a shipmaster or captain who “steers” the Ship. Its literary meaning is “to steer” “to rule” or “govern”. It also mean “someone who guides and directs a group of people towards a goal or destination. Rev 18:7, Acts 27:11.

ii. What Church Administration is
- It is the stewardship and spiritual service provided for the strengthening of the body of Christ. 1Cor12:28 Eph4:11-13

- Church administration is important to the local church health and progress. This will facilitate the accomplishment of God– given mission for on for the church to ensure “decency and orderliness is maintained. 1 Cor. 14:40.

- It has to do with the effective deployment of stewardship of divine resource (e.g. human, finance, material, technology, (time) for the attainment of ministry work and activities.

Church Administration must be
a. God (Christ) centred and people oriented. It must be noted that the church of God and its existential reason is to please God and not people. The administrative policies and procedures must be of God to provide guided and adequate instructions that will result in God being glorified, loved and therefore worshipped.

• to please God rather than humanity. This is because the church is of God, church only exists to please God. 1Cor. 10:31. It is not a business centre owned by individuals.
• people oriented- to harness peoples efforts towards contributing positively to evangelising people to Jesus, developing them and equipping them for the ministry.
• Genesis of Church Administration

- The church being a body made up of many people, most of whom are volunteers serving God and his people started with God when HE CREATED man and woman Gen1:26-28 in His image and likeness, He put them in the garden of Eden Gen2:15 and declared them to have dominion “Gen1:26-28, be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, dress and keep it Gen1:15. These words are all administration, leadership and management terms. God originated it and appointed Adam and Eve

- In the Old Testament, Jethro, Father-in-law to Moses enlarged the concept in Exodus18:17-26

• Jesus Christ’s appointment of the 70 and 12 Apostles and his commissioning them in (2) two’s to go out before his great commission’s mandate reflected management and administrative principles

• The appointment of Deacons in the early church Acts 6:1-3 and Elders in all local churches by Paul and other Apostles, Barnabas in Antioch Acts 11:22-26

• All contemporary churches are today governed by their constitution, Bye laws and appointed officers

PURPOSE OF CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
• To ensure that matters are handled effectively with the goal of biblical ministry clearly in view as well as conform to standard church practices, doctrine and constitution.

• To minimise and stamp out possible mismanagement of resources and unethical behaviour among stakeholders in matters relating to finances employees and doctrinal matters.

• It speeds up qualitative decision making process, which will strengthen ministry governance to achieve predetermined goals.

• It helps to avoid duplication or overlapping of activities, duties, responsibilities as expectations are clarified and delegated accordingly. • to ensure being focused, that goals are achieved and people are accountable for their actions.

• Enables bulk of the members see the vision, grasp the vision, communicate the vision and impart the vision on others where this fails, chaos is often the result.

• Effective documentation of administrative processes will help maximise human, physical, financial resources by providing controls designed to ensure good use of resources.

NEED FOR EFFECTIVE CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
• A church is a spiritual-human organisation which requires effective coordination in view of the unpredictability of human resources.
• Church is of God and people
• Church resources are limited to cause “change”, it must be administered very well.

Church deserves good administration in order to be able to:
• Proclaim good news and witness
• Educate and nurture the Saints.
• A church is a spiritual-human organisation which requires effective coordination in view of the unpredictability of human resources.
• Church is of God and people
• Church resources are limited to cause “change”, it must be administered very well.

Church deserves good administration in order to be able to:
• Proclaim good news and witness
• Educate and nurture the Saints.

COMPARING CHURCH WITH THE BUSINESS WORLD  COMPARING CHURCH WITH THE BUSINESS WORLD

QUALITIES AND SKILLS EXPECTED OF CHURCH ADMINISTRATORS

1. Personal assurance of their salvation in Christ and NOT been a new person in faith ACTS4:12
2. A man of vision and focus e.g. Joseph
3. A man of right ethical standard 1Tim. 3:15
4. Personal Mastery and Management
5. Prayerfulness and Word Driven
6. A person of integrity and accountability
7. Team Spirit and building –
8. Time Management
9. Stewardship/ Servant out/Faithful Leadership 1Cor4:1-2
10. Problem solver- for Jesus was a Problem Solver John 6:35 Acts10:38
11. Members Oriented Prov27:23
12. Creative and Spiritually Sensitive
13. Motivational and assertive on doctrinal issues etc.
14. Empathetic on Issues
15. A man of faith and both
16. Crisis and Conflicts Manager – anticipate and plan for crisis
17. Relational – with God, children, wife, church, community.
18. Shock Absorber for criticisms
19. Loyal to God, seniors and church constitution and practices.
20. Provide and keep appropriate church records, books and vouchers.
21. Entrepreneurial driven for the church growth and development
22. Interest in self-development, respect and integrity.

CONCLUSION
“Finally, Brethren, Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,… if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil4:8 KJV)
• When individuals understand the nature of the Church, purpose and mission, they will no doubt be inspired to provide accountable stewardship and good administration for the sustainability of the body of Christ.
• Since all activities in church management and administration are to glorify God, then it must be true, honest, just, pure, lovely of good report, virtuous and praise worthy to God.

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