Often times people have the faulty perception that all “The preacher” does is preach! Well, that is a great calling and one that I am glad to do each and every day! However to say that is “all” he does is not factual or fair. There are “set-ups” in churches where a board of elders or deacons oversee or ”see to it” that the work gets done, but even in those situations much of the influential guidance is held by the minister (whether he knows it or not). Now don’t hate me for living my own experience! LOL. Let’s get a CLUE … At the preachers disposal, is a text book replete with examples of the “man of God” taking the administrative role in dealing with and within God’s heritage. This text book is none other than the bible.
The bible, God’s word, is a great handbook for administration. From the very beginning, we see God utilizing administrative leadership in the creation of the world. Everything Jehovah God did was orderly, methodical, and with a purpose. He then delegated certain work to Adam to carry out and even came by to evaluate his progress (Genesis chapter 3). God gave Adam a place to live and work (The Garden of Eden). He gave him a job to do (Keep the Garden), and he gave him a wife to care for (Eve). Each of these areas lends itself to proper administration and handling of complex situations. Adam was not only the first human being, but he was the first administrator! God tells him “… Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 2:28) As an administrator, Adam set the groundwork for other patriarchs of the faith such as Abraham, Joseph, and of course Moses
Administration can be defined as “The identification of work to be done, the division of that work into jobs, the delegation of those jobs to responsible individuals and the supervision of the work to its completion.” The display of this definition can be clearly seen during the time of the biblical character Joseph, son of Jacob, overseer of Pharaoh’s house and second in command to Pharaoh (Genesis 41). After Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, he elaborated on a highly effective process of keeping the nation (and the world) from starving. He identified the work to be done – take up a fifth part; he described the division of that work – gather all the food of the good years; he suggested they delegate that work to responsible individuals – appoint officers over the land; and that they should supervise the work until completion – let them keep food in the cities. When the famine came, Pharaoh directed everyone to Joseph for his administrative guidance. He was a master administrator leaving some practical lessons for the modern church, school, or Christian organization administrator today such as: being spiritually connected with God, using wisdom, and keeping a level head. These are all good qualities for spiritual administrators. Whether you are a preacher or other leader in your organization, it is always to your advantage to seek to the follow the timeless pattern set before us by the Great Administrator of the universe! [Note: Even in situations where there are no elders or other leadership, the principles of sound biblical and managerial administration can and should be utilized by those taking a leadership role.]
Now you have the CLUE!
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