Mastering Church Management

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Administration does not keep me from people. It is people. It doesn't prevent my serving them; it gives me a way to serve them.
—Leith Anderson

Administration is the aspect of ministry that many pastors love to hate. Among the many pastoral duties, administration consumes the largest amount of time—40 percent. Yet, according to studies, pastors dislike administration more than any other task.

Sometimes I hear a fellow pastor say in frustration, "I hate administration!" or "I hate management!" Usually one of two reasons follows.

The first is, "It keeps me from people. I want more time with people and less time with administration."

The second is, "It keeps me from doing what I'm really supposed to be doing as a minister."

I understand the feelings behind these statements, but I have come to view administration in precisely the opposite way.

Administration does not keep me from people. It is people. It doesn't prevent my serving them; it gives me a way to serve them. Designing the bulletin, for example, is not simply completing a duty; it is designing the bulletin to enable people to worship God. Every administrative task, no matter how routine, is based in helping people.

Nor does administration detract me from my purpose. As a pastoral leader, my purpose is to enable this church, this particular group of God's people, to fulfill its mission. How can I help people fulfill their God-given mission apart from administration?

Management can be perceived as a binding activity or a freeing one. It can be viewed as hindering the mission or helping to fulfill it. Management becomes a positive thing when it is people centered and purpose driven.

Virtually all management issues deal with people. At our Monday staff ...

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