KEY VERSE: To aspire to leadership is an honorable ambition. (I Timothy 3:1) (New
English Bible)
INTRODUCTION:
This talk introduces the
ministry of management. When we speak of management we are not talking about
secular management like that evident in the business world. We are speaking of
managing spiritual resources for the work of the ministry. If you learn the
ministry of management, you will become a good steward of the Gospel and the
ministry God has given you. You will be able to work with God to accomplish His
purposes.
Meaning of Management: Management is the process
of accomplishing God's purposes and plans through proper use of human,
material, and spiritual resources.
Management is evaluated by
whether or not these plans and purposes are accomplished. The Bible states: All
we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to His own way... (Isaiah
53:6) As sheep must be directed to move along a single path, so people need
direction so their efforts and energies will accomplish God's purposes and
plans. Management is another word for
"stewardship." Stewards or managers are responsible over something
entrusted to them by someone else.
TYPES OF RESOURSES
Spiritual Resources: Leaders are stewards over
special resources which include; WWW-The word, worship (fellowship) and
warfare. The Gospel: We are to share its message with others Spiritual Gifts:
Each believer has at least one spiritual gift for which they are responsible as
a steward.
Physical Resources of Ministry: These
include things such as church buildings, property, equipment and Finances. In
essence it is necessary for a leader to use the available recourses to help
others develop their spiritual gifts. You must help them mature spiritually and
get involved in the work of the ministry. God uses people, not programs, to
build His Kingdom.
Remember: Management
involves getting things done for God through people.
THE FIRST MESSAGE ON MANAGEMENT: The
first message from God to man was on the subject of management. God told Adam
and Eve: ...Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue
it...and have dominion over...every living thing that moves upon the earth.
(Genesis 1:28)
Three important tasks of managers are contained in this verse:
1. Maximize resources by
"multiplying" to accomplish God's purpose and plans.
2. Minimize disorder by
"subduing."
3. Maintain order by
"ruling" (dominion).
THE MAIN REQUIREMENT OF MANAGEMENT
The main requirement of
stewards is that they are faithful:
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. (I
Corinthians 4:2). Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25:14-30 about servants
whose master gave them resources called "talents," which in this case
was money. They were told to be good stewards and use the funds wisely. Those
who did so were called "faithful" and were rewarded. Those who failed
were judged and held accountable. God does not consider stewards successful
because of their education, natural ability, or personality.
THE MINISTRY OF MANAGEMENT:
The ministry of management
involves leading others to accomplish great things especially for God. It
requires:
1.
Recognizing
the Importance of the Anointing to Lead: Anointing by God for leadership is more
important than education, talents, and experience.
2. Meeting Biblical Qualifications for Leadership: The
management of ministry begins with the management of self.
3. Learning to lead like a Servant:
Scriptural leadership is not flashy public relations and a charismatic platform
personality. It is humble service to those you lead. Serving is what sets
Christian leadership apart from worldly leadership.
4. Learning to Lead like a Shepherd: The
qualities of a shepherd in the natural world are what Jesus used to describe
spiritual leadership.
5. Understanding the Basic Tasks of Leaders: These
include the difficult areas of decision-making and solving conflict and
discipline problems.
6. Training Leaders and Followers: We all
lead in certain situations, but everyone is a follower in other situations.
Leaders must have followers. Both leaders and followers must be trained.
7. Applying Principles of Success Taught in God's
Word: These principles will assure successful
management of spiritual resources.
8. Avoiding Violations That Cause Failure In
Leadership: Failure in leading and following results from
violations of Scriptural principles.
9. Understanding Principles of Biblical Organization: These
include leadership positions established by God and those developed because of
practical needs of the Church. The biblical Organization of ministry is not
fixed, rigid, or based on worldly patterns. Organization is flexible to
accommodate the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Management of ministry exists for
the purpose of achieving God-given purposes and plans, not to create a rigid
corporate, institutional structure. Organization in the Church is really more
like a living organism. The Bible compares the Church to the human body, with
each part working together. You cannot be elected to leadership in God's
organization. You may be elected or appointed by man to an office, but no
leader is ever made by appointment or election. You must be called and equipped
by God for the work of the Kingdom. Leadership involves position, for example,
positions like apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. Leadership
also involves function. Its main function is equipping others for the work of
the ministry. Leadership also concerns the relations of leaders with their
followers. Selection and promotion as a leader comes from God: For promotion
cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is
the judge: He putted down one, and setteth up another. (Psalms 75:6-7)
OTHER AREAS OF MANAGEMENT:
Management also involves
1.
Analyzing your ministry in order to
establish purpose and plans.
2. Formulating
a Purpose for Ministry in Harmony with That of God: If you do not know your
purpose and have a vision, you cannot lead others.
3. Make Plans
To Achieve The Purpose: You will never
achieve your purpose if you do not plan to do so.
4. Organizing
People and Procedures to Implement the Plan: Management involves motivating and
supervising people as they accomplish tasks which are part of God's purpose and
plans.
5. Perfecting
the Plan through Evaluation
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD MANAGEMENT:
Here are some reasons why
proper management of ministry is important
1.
PROVIDES
PURPOSE AND DIRECTION: If you are to be successful in ministry, then
you must have a purpose and plans in harmony with those of God and be able to
communicate them to others. When you know your specific purpose for ministry
and make plans to fulfill that purpose, then you can lead others. Leaders must
know where they are going in order to guide others. Guidance and unity in
ministry involve common purpose and direction.
2. ELIMINATES CONFUSION: When
there is proper direction, confusion is eliminated: For God is not a God of
confusion but of peace. (I Corinthians 14:33) Therefore be imitators of God, as
beloved children. (Ephesians 5:1) If God's activities are not characterized by
confusion, the ministries of His servants should not be either.
3. PERMITS PROPER DECISION: Decisions determine your destiny. This is true
even of salvation. You make a decision to either accept or reject the Gospel
and your eternal destiny is determined by your decision. Your present life and
ministry is determined by previous decisions you have made. You either made
decisions by thoughtful planning or on the spur of the moment. Good management
permits you to make proper decisions with the guidance of the Lord.
4. ESTABLISHES PRIORITIES FOR MINISTRY: Priorities are things which are more important
than other things. They are the things which take first place in your time and
attention. You will have priorities in life whether you consciously determine
them or not. You will establish priorities either by drifting into habits that
become a way of life, because of pressure of circumstances or people around
you, or by a definite decision based on God's purposes.
5. PERMITS ACTION RATHER THAN REACTION: Many
ministries are occupied with reacting to urgent matters in the present instead
of planning for the future. This causes leaders to react rather than act with
wisdom and purpose. Without a strategy or plan, you do not know what you are
doing in ministry, why you are doing it, or how it is to be done. Because you
have no organization and direction, you have nothing to commit to, no way to
evaluate your effectiveness for God, and you are easily persuaded to react and
quit in crisis times. Good management transforms desire to demonstration and
visions to reality. It helps you determine what you are to do and how to do it
in order to fulfill God's purposes.
6. ESTABLISHES ACCOUNTABILITY: In the
parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 the servants were accountable for
all that was entrusted to their care. Their master had a plan, communicated it
to them, and they were to fulfill it by investing the funds they were given.
You are accountable not only for knowing God's will for your life and ministry,
but also for doing it: And that servant, which knew His Lord's will, and
prepared not himself, neither did according to His will, shall be beaten with
many stripes. (Luke 12:47) If you do not wisely manage the ministry with which
you are entrusted, you will be held accountable.
7. PERMITS EVALUATION : Management includes evaluation to see if you
are fulfilling God's purpose and plan. Understanding Biblical principles of
success and reasons for failure permit such evaluation. PERMITS WISE USE OF
SPIRITUAL RESOURCES: Good management helps you manage spiritual resources
properly and enables you to be a proper steward of funds, material possessions,
people, and spiritual gifts for the work of God's Kingdom.
8. PREPARES YOU TO ENTER OPEN DOORS: For a
great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. (I
Corinthians 16:9) When God opens doors, you must be ready to walk through them
and face new challenges. This is not possible without proper preparation. Read
the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. God opens
doors, but they do not stay open forever. They open and wait for you to enter.
Then they close, sometimes never to open again.
9. HARMONIZES MINISTRY WITH GOD'S WILL: The first
question of the Apostle Paul after his conversion was, "What will you have
me to do?" He was asking God, "What is your plan for my life and
ministry?" Wise stewardship brings your life and ministry in harmony with
God's purpose and plans.
10. GOD SEEKS LEADERS: God told
King Saul, “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a
man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over His
people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee”. (I
Samuel 13:14). God still searches for men whom He can use as leaders: And I
sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap
before me for the land; that I should not destroy it; but I found none.
(Ezekiel 22:30) For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole
earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect
toward Him...(II Chronicles 16:9) Becoming a good manager takes time and
effort: Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work
of what sort it is. (I Corinthians 3:13) Wood, hay, and stubble all grow above
the ground. It is easily produced and can readily be seen by man, but it is
easily destroyed. Gold and silver are precious medal produced under the ground.
They are not readily seen by man, but they are more lasting. Flashy, popular,
secular leadership is like the wood, hay, and stubble. It is seen of man and
easily produced through natural talents and abilities. Godly leadership is like
gold and silver. It is produced by the power of the Holy Spirit in the inner,
hidden man. But it is infinitely precious and durable. Leadership is a great
responsibility because you influence others. For example, when Peter said
"I go fishing," those with him immediately said, "We are going
with you also." Leadership is also important because a leader is a
messenger of God. See Malachi 2:7 3.
Study these comparisons of
worldly and spiritual management:
Worldly management Spiritual Management
|
Power is determined by skill, ability and
knowledge
|
Power is determined by anointing and God's
authority
|
|
Selection of leaders is made on the basis of
factors such as skill and education
|
Selection
of leaders is made on the basis of anointing, calling, and revelation of
God's will. ·
|
|
Training is given in the areas of skill and
knowledge
|
Training
should be given in a lifestyle based on God's Word into which skills must fit
|
CONCLUDING NOTE:
As leaders who are called
by GOD, we are responsible for :
Ø God's
creation: Genesis 1:26-28
Ø Mysteries
of God: I Corinthians 4:1
Ø Gospel
message: I Thessalonians 2:4
Ø Spiritual
gifts: I Peter 4:10
Ø Forgiveness:
Matthew 6:12; 18:21-22
Ø Love: I John 4:7-8
Ø Mind:
Philippians 4:8
Ø Power:
Acts 1:8
Ø Time:
Ephesians 5:15-16
Ø Viewpoint:
I Samuel 16:7
Ø Attitude:
Philippians 2:2
Ø Faith:
James 2:14-17
Ø Money: II
Corinthians 9:6-11
Ø Praise:
Hebrews 12:15-16
Ø Ministry:
Galatians 6:2
Ø Body: Romans 12:1
Ø Character:
Titus 1:7-9
Ø
Family: I Timothy 3:4-5, 12; 5:8
A talk presented by Mrs.
Ihua-Jonathan, N., during the 2014 TROs’ Leaders Retreat