The church can be described in many ways, a body, a family, or the bride of Christ. When we look at the church today we need to recognize the need for leadership and organization. Without leadership and administration, the church will struggle to fulfill the mission of God.
What is administration in the local church? Church administration refers to the way that a church government is set up. There are three common types of church administration: congregationalist, elder-led, and denominational. Christians strive to have a biblical church government within their church.
The church is very important to God, we are his people and he loves us, we are also a very important avenue to reach the world with Christ. As Christians in the church, we want to be effective hands and feet of Jesus, and this starts with organization in the church through administration.
Administration happens in different ways according to the church or denomination.
What is Church Administration?
Church administration is the organization and leadership that happens in the church to help the church to run effectively and on a mission. The church are more than just a business, we sometimes have to act like one, but we as the Church have a global mission we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Church administration is the government of the church. The church administration sets up rules and regulations to help the Church operate to its maximum potential.
Church administration is in charge of keeping the church building running, pay for those who work, and scheduling, need planning events and church services. Essentially, they make the church-run effectively.
The logistical side of operating the church is one reason why we need administration.
The administration frees the church to do exactly what the church needs to do. This means that the church administration needs to be centered on God.
There are different views on exactly how to have an administration within the church. Most people see the administration has a positive impact on how the church operates.
Different Views On Church Administration
We want church administration so we can serve our community and others around the world effectively. To effectively function it is important to have an organization within the church administration.
There is some disagreement on what this exact organization within the church should look like, but we should be willing to work with what helps our church be most effective.
Congregationalism
Congregationalism is a type of church government that is mainly self-governing. They run their own affairs and operate individually. Each congregation has the ability to govern themselves, not depending on other churches and their decisions.
There are many congregational churches, but no power that is overall and makes decisions for all congregational churches. Each member has an influence on how the church operates, they can call meetings and vote.
Congregational churches include some Protestant churches.
Elder-Led Churches
When a church is elder-led this means that there are specific people who are appointed to make decisions on behalf of the church. We see in scripture qualifications for roles such as these.
For example, Paul writes to Timothy about qualifications for overseers and deacons. In Titus we see Paul telling him qualifications for elders.
Elder-led churches give the highest authority to the pastors and elders in the church, not the general congregation.
There are many Churches that follow the elder-led administration, this includes churches in denominations such as Baptist Churches and Presbyterian Churches.
Denominationalism
Denominationalism is where the church is organized with one person or group of leaders govern over all churches of that denomination. This means decisions made outside the church will affect the Church.
There may be one person or group of people who has authority to lead all Churches of the denomination
Churches in this category sometimes include Lutheran Churches and Anglican Churches.
What The Bible Says About Church Administration
Throughout Scripture, we see the importance of communication, organization as well as other key aspects to Church administration. We can look at these Scriptures to see a better picture of how we can run our church administration today.
Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’
John 20:21
God sends us into the world to be His hands and feet. Church administration helps us to achieve that goal.
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:4,5
We all have different talents and abilities within the church, and in the organized fashion of administration, we can all use our own strengths to help everyone else.
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
Titus 1:5
The Bible gives us so many examples of administration, we see some of the first churches as they start. Paul writes to a lot of the new churches, many of which he helped plant. We read the instruction that he gives to Titus and Timothy as he had left them in charge of churches in Ephesus and Cyprus.
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:28
In 1 Corinthians, we see how God has gifted us in different ways to serve him. This includes those who are gifted in administration and other leadership roles within the church.
The gifts we have received from God we want to use in order to bring glory to God which can happen through church administration.
Why Church Administration Matters
God uses the Church in powerful ways, but being imperfect humans means we make mistakes that can affect the whole church body. Church administration is in place to help operate the church in an effective way with accountability to help when things are not going as they should.
No matter if you are the Pastor or a member of your church, you have an important role to play in your local church. Because we as humans are imperfect, working with others in the church is key to building an effective Church.
Proper church administration enables the church to be who God has called the church to be.
We see from the early Church in Acts that we are called to reach the world and make a difference for Christ. This can happen effectively with good Church leadership in administration.
If you are apart of a church, I would encourage you to take time to pray for your church leaders. Pray they would have wisdom from God as they led your church. Pray they would be open to changes that need to be made. Pray their ears would be open to hearing from God.
It takes more than a busy church, a friendly church, or even an evangelical church to impact a community for Christ. It must be a church ablaze, led by leaders who are ablaze for God.
-Wesley L. Duewel