Church Administration Matters
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Text - Acts 20.28; Acts 6.2-4;
Text - Acts 20.28; Acts 6.2-4;
1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Background
Background
Administer
to manage or supervise the execution, use, or conduct of 〈administer a trust fund〉
Administration
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Administration
ad•min•is•tra•tion \əd-ˌmi-nə-ˈstrā-shən, (ˌ)ad-\ noun
14th century
1: performance of executive duties: MANAGEMENT
2: the act or process of administering
3: the execution of public affairs as distinguished from policy-making
the proper management or supervision of the execution, use or conduct of somnething
The Greek word
kubernesis (κυβέρνησις, 2941), from kubernao, “to guide” (whence Eng., “govern”), denotes (a) “steering, pilotage”; (b) metaphorically, “governments or governings,” said of those who act as guides in a local church, 1 Cor. 12:28.¶ Cf. kubernetes, “a pilot,” Acts 27:11; Rev. 18:17.¶
2 words translated administration in NKJV
1 Cor 12.28 - grk. kybernesis
28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
2 Cor 9.12 = grk. diakonia
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
Characteristics of biblical administration
Characteristics of biblical administration
Administration is a spiritual gift
Administration is a spiritual gift
Paul lists administration as one of the gifts - 1 Cor 12.28
28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
it is a gift - it is an operation of the Holy Spirit in the church
it is government and church management by the Holy Spirit
not everyone will have this gift
Administration is ministry
Administration is ministry
Because it is a gift, administration is a ministry in and of itself.
As a gift, it is not related to a business or corporate structure, but primarily to the redemption plan for the people of God.
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Administration is the proper care of the church of God so that its needs are met and addressed.
Administration is stewardship
Administration is stewardship
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
in NIV - stewardship is administration
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
Paul, and all men of God are dispensers of the mystery of God to the Gentile people.
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Administration is the proper management of the household of God by feeding them with the food in season
Administration is servanthood
Administration is servanthood
Administration is servanthood because a setward is a servant with a delegated authority from his master.
Administration puts the needs and welfare of others above and ahead of oneself.
it takes a true servant leader to serve in the gift of administration
Administry is spiritual
Administry is spiritual
because administration is a spiritual gift
because of the pastoral role of ministry oversight
because its goal is the transformation of the people in the church
because administrators are to lead through servitude and himility
because Jesus is our primary example for administrative activity
5 Functions of good administration
5 Functions of good administration
5 Functions of Good Administration
Planning
Organizing
Staffing
Directing
Evaluating
Planning
Planning
Everything starts with a plan
God had a plan when He created the heavens and the earth
“To fail to plan is to plan to fail.”
Planning is defined as a process which starts with a mental picture of where you want to be at some future point in time (goal). It then lays out a course of action (strategy) in measurable steps (objectives) following the correct road signs (policies and procedures) so you can arrive at your destination using the resources available (personnel, budget, facilities, etc.).
God planned his creation of the earth - Genesis 1
from day 1 to day 6 we see that God’s actions had a plan
God planned the salvation of Noah and his family - Genesis 6
God had planned the conquest of Canaan
it was to happen at the fulness of the sins of the Amorites
it will happen when Abraham’s children had become a great nation
The salvation of the Gentiles was already planned by God
8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”
The preaching of the gospel has a master plan - from Jerusalem to the world
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Organizing
Organizing
Organization can be defined as doing things in an orderly manner.
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Biblical examples of organizing
the order of creation in Genesis 1
day 1 - light
day 2 - sky
day 3 - dry land; plants
day 4 - heavenly ‘lights’
day 5 - birds of the air; fish of the sea
day 6 - land animals; man
2. Israel’s camping in the wilderns - Numbers 2
east side - Judah, Issachar, Zebulun
south side - Reuben, Simeon, Gad
west side - Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin
north side - Dan, Asher, Naphtali
Levites - Numbers 3
Kohath - bearers of the most holy things
Gershon - bearers of tabernacle coverings
Merari - bearers of teh rest of the furnishings
3. Joshua’s march to Canaan - Joshua 6
4. David appointed musicians int he house of God
5. David organized the priests in serving in the temple by family
6. Paul organized the service in the church of Corinth - 1 Cor 14.26-33
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.
28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Staffing
Staffing
Staffing is a relatively straightforward process of selecting, orienting, training, and developing the competent people who are needed to accomplish the goals and objectives of the ministry
3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—
Other examples of staffing -
God assigned 70 elders to help Moses is managing the affairs of Israel - Numbers 11.6
2. God appointed skilled men in the contruction of the tabernacle - Exodus 35.30-36.1
Directing
Directing
The managerial function of directing is defined as a process where a supervisor leads subordinates to understand and contribute to the organization’s objectives while at the same time allowing them to pursue their own personal objectives
Directing simply is leading ( a specific function or work)
Directing involves -
delegating
motivating
coordinating
managing differences
managing change
Jesus directerd his disciples before He went up to heaven - Matthew 28.19-20
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
2. Paul charged Timothy
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Evaluating
Evaluating
All servants of God are accountable to Christ
13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!
17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
How the church benefits from good administration
How the church benefits from good administration
Vision - the church knows why they exist
Vision - the church knows why they exist
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
18 Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.
Jesus allowed his disciples to see him in future glory - Matthew 17
Isaiah 6 -= the prophet saw the LORD sitting ont he throne of glory
Structure - the church understands how each member is to function in the Body
Structure - the church understands how each member is to function in the Body
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Direction - the church knows were to go
Direction - the church knows were to go
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Equipping - the church is equipped for the work of ministry
Equipping - the church is equipped for the work of ministry
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
Check and balance - the church is led by responsible and accountable leaders
Check and balance - the church is led by responsible and accountable leaders
Conclusion
Conclusion
Recognize the administration that God has placed in the local church, as well as in the universal body of Christ.
If you part of the church leadership, submit to the higher authority so that you can be a good leader yourself.
When we recognize authority, we exalt the headship of Christ.
SONG -