CHURCH ADMINISTRATION: A Scriptural Plan

2 Timothy 2:2

Introduction: Someone once said that church administration is a preacher working himself out of a job. There are some key elements involved in church administration. One is leadership or guidance. (Heb. 13:17 and 1 Pet. 5:2-3) Another element is enabling or empowerment (Eph. 4:12). A final element is the gift or ability itself (1 Cor. 12:4-6).

The word ADMINISTRATION is sometimes rendered ministration, ministry, or service. It is a translation of the Greek word DIAKONIA from which we get the anglicized word deacon. Thus, one can consider church administration as being a service that the church provides.

A. In Acts 11:29 the church in Antioch determined to send relief to the needy saints in Jerusalem. The word translated relief is DIAKONIAN (for ministration). The church determined to administer to the needs of the saints. We see this with Corinth as well (1 Cor. 16:15; 2 Cor. 8:4-5; 9:1, 12-13)

B. Another example of church administration besides relief of the saints concerns the work in the gospel (2 Cor. 5:18). This is done through preaching and teaching. (Acts 20:24; 2 Cor. 4:1-5; 1 Tim. 1:12) This is a service that the church performs unto the world

C. In order for the church to carry out its intended purpose it needs to plan. After all, God plans! He achieves his purpose through his providence and the agency of his people (Rom. 12:1-2)

1. In the Parable of the Talents, the man delegated responsibility to his servants according to ability. (Matt. 25:14-30)

2. A congregation must work together with each member doing his work. Each one must also exercise care how he labors (1 Cor. 3:5-15)

3. Jesus had used a plan to carry out the great commission. (Acts 1:8)

4. Jesus provided a plan to aid in the church's edification. (Acts 2:42-47)

I. Two Old Testament models of administration could be used in congregations today

A. The first is the Moses model. (Exo. 18:13-27)

1. Delegation of work according to ability will keep one from becoming burnt out. (verse 18)

2. Able men who feared God and loved truth were selected. (verse 21)

3. They cared for the smaller tasks while Moses was left to teach and edify the people. (verses 20 and 26)

B. The second is the Nehemiah model

1. He began with prayer, (Neh. 1:4-11)

2. He made plans. (Neh. 2:5-15)

4. He sold the plans to the people. (Neh. 2:17-18)

II. The two models were employed in the New Testament

A. The church of Jerusalem had problems with service rendered to Greek widows (Acts 6:1-6)

1. Implication is the apostles did the work

2. Load was too much

B. Like Moses the apostles needed to tend to the matter of preaching and teaching (verse 2)

1. Like Moses able men were to be chosen. (verse 3)

2. Like Moses the seven cared for the smaller tasks while the apostles continued to teach and preach the word

C. Like Nehemiah the apostles made plans (verse 3)

1. Like Nehemiah the apostles sold the plans to the people (verse 5)

2. Like Nehemiah the apostles prayed over the matter (verse 6)

Conclusion: We, too, must employ these models in our activities as a church No one person can do the job (1 Cor. 12:17-20). When each member pulls together, doing what God has enabled him or her, and everyone does his or her share, then the congregation will become what God intended it to be and do what God intended it to do.