BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS (administration)

Question 1

DEFINITIONS

Answer 1

LEADERSHIP - is doing the right things
MANAGEMENT - doing things right
ADMINISTRATION -includes both

Question 2

LEADERSHIP

Answer 2

Establishes vision, goals, motivation

Question 3

MANAGEMENT

Answer 3

Works with resources to accomplish them through structures

Question 4

STEWARD

Answer 4

Translated ‘manager’

Question 5

ADMINISTRATOR

Answer 5

1 Cor 12 referred to a pilot who keeps his ship on course

Question 6

Why the church needs excellent administration

Answer 6

• church work is most important
• culture expects excellence
• a lot of churches are poorly run
• church resources are limited
• the church relies on volunteers
• with increased size and complexity, the need becomes greater
• Good organization reflects the nature of God

Question 7

Technocratic/Spiritualistic Polarity

Answer 7

the significance of institutions, programs, methods, organization is overestimated

Question 8

The Church is both an organization and an organism simultaneously

Answer 8

• As an organism God gives increase “all by itself”
• As an organization we build structures to facilitate ministry and growth – choose pastors, elect deacons, plan ministry programs to care for widows

Question 9

The Holy Spirit works in both dimensions to cause growth

Answer 9

Holy Spirit not only imparts life, He guides in administration
He chooses pastors, He guides organizational decisions
Selects a replacement for Judas

Question 10

We tend to short-circuit the work of the Holy Spirit by overemphasizing one side or the other

Answer 10

Technocratic people; emphasize office, denomination, doing it right, tradition, programs
Spiritualistic people; “Unless it is supernatural, unusual, simply man, not God”
Balance is not either/or rather both/and

Question 11

Reasons to take structure seriously

Answer 11

• Many biblical examples of “effective structures”
• Structures are never neutral
• Structures are necessary to ensure certain aspects of the church
• Natural Church Development Research

Question 12

What do structures ensure?

Answer 12

• evangelism, caring, discipling, preaching, equipping are delivered
• new people are assimilated
• leaders are trained and accountable
• best use is made of facilities, relationships, resources
• New ministry opportunities can be responded to quickly

Question 13

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF ADMINISTRATION

Answer 13

• Understand the purposes & call of God (preparing mission statements)
• Face the reality of the problems, needs, and opportunities in your particular situation (vision statement)
• Define your missional objective and prioritize them (planning and prayer retreats, board meetings)
• Maintain proper balance between divine and human factors (prayer&fasting)
• Communication!
• Design action plans to achieve these objectives, delegating responsibilities to qualified people (job descriptions)
• Keep the action plans before the people. Encourage, motivate, evaluate, adjust
• Keep the organization simple and flexible

Question 14

Local church systems are shaped by….

Answer 14

BIBLICAL MATERIALS
HISTORICAL POLITIES
SOCIAL SCIENCE INSIGHTS

Question 15

New Testament words for power

Answer 15

DUNAMIS; sheer energy, force
EXOUSIA; authority to direct power (which comes from God)

Both kinds of power are needed in the church!