Resources
The gift of administration
Justyn Pride explains why it's important to have an administrator within your church planting team.
Having been in the role of the administrator in various churches in the past, moving to help plant a new church felt like a ‘no problem’! Whilst the background experience was helpful there were and still are new things being learnt, developed, and areas being stretched in.
One of the first things learnt was the key of everyone being a generalist in the initial stages of the plant. When there is only a core team of five, it’s a question of not just what should we, and can we do, but also which of us will do it! There aren’t too many options and as in a family, it is ‘all hands on deck’. That does give you a number of things to pray into to though!
I would encourage any church plant leader to identify someone who will be their armour bearer; their Act 6 people, as early as possible. It’s not that as the leader you can’t do the many practical tasks that need to be done. Acts 6 shows how the Apostles recognised the importance of ensuring that some of the more practical jobs where released to others so that they could give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.
There are many activities involved with establishing a plant and I would argue that there is a key partnership between the leader and someone carrying the administrative responsibility. While you will be establishing a core team, it is more than likely that one person carry’s more of the administrative weight.
As I see it this administrative person should:
Be full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6) - they are going to have lots of administrative ‘faith’ challenges.
Have a good friendship with the leader and be able to talk openly and honestly about things.
Be a generalist, especially when the plant is small.
Be someone who can think ahead, and build to the bigger vision of where things will be.
Be looking to give away and develop others as things grow.
Be the helmsman/manager that helps to steer the course of the plant practically in order to reach the end point as set by the leader and team.
I love Jethro’s advice to Moses in Exodus 18 when he says ‘But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.’
It is right that we to ensure values are being worked out practically, but the leader should focus on inputting others who can then work it out. In a plant this should be the core team, which should include whoever is the administrative person.
I’m personally not a great fan of the term administrator as it can have different connotations. To some it is the person who ‘does it all’; they ‘do all the details’. The correct understanding of the term ‘administrator’ is more akin to ‘helmsman’ or manager, so someone helps to steer the course to reach the end goal safely. I would argue that this is the key view to have when finding someone to run in this role. It makes a big difference for them and everyone else!
The relationship between the leader and the administration person is vital as they need to be able to work together and trust each others judgements. Working well the plant will be truly blessed!
Comments
By TJ on 22/02/2011 at 12:37
Hello,
I stumbled across this today and found it a helpful and challenging read as someone with Administrative gifting and also part of a Church plant.
I have one question, would you suggest this person needs to be male only?
Thanks for writing this, you have given me much food for thought.
TJ
By KJ on 04/03/2011 at 20:33
Hi,
I’ve just ‘stumbled’ upon this too, I’ve been thinking and praying alot about Exodus 18 this week, on behalf of the Leader of my Church, your comments have spoken strongly to me, thank you - but I’m also interested in the answer to the above question.
KJ
By Justyn Pride on 04/04/2011 at 13:00
Hi
Thanks for your comments. I’m glad it stimulated your thinking in this area.
I would not argue that this is a male only role. There isn’t anything in scripture to support this.
Pragmatically, I know of churches where this role is only fulfilled by men due to the closeness of relationship with the leader, or eldership team. Often they are an elder with administrative responsibilities.
What is key is for the person to have the attributes I mentioned in the article. If we increasingly create a culture in our churches where we honor people and release them into their gifts then what impact could be made!
There are always practical issues to take into account in each local context. For example it is obviously not always helpful for someone who is not an elder to be in for all of an elders meeting. How such meetings work should be clearly agreed upon. I remember in my first role I would only be in for parts of elders meetings. There is probably another article just on contextualisation!
Justyn
By Geof Cole on 17/12/2011 at 11:28
Great article - well done, you have your Dad’s anointing!! Looks like has beginnings of a very useful and God inspired book. We have an abundance of good how to’s - but this fill a very big gap in practical guide for church building which at times may not seem too glamourous but essential! Phil Stoddard at Lowestoft has started a publishing house could be good place to explore.
Keep going - it’s a great article. Geof
By Justyn Pride on 03/01/2012 at 21:28
Hi Geof
Thanks for the encouragement. Thought of a book sounds scary! my brevity might make it nice and short.