Grace College Equips Church Administrators and Managers

The church is an integral part of a Christ-centered community. If anyone knows that, we do! Grace College has been developing, training, and equipping ministry leaders since we were founded in 1937. If you want to be more involved in your church, or you feel called to lead in an administration or management role in your Christian community, then here is the role and mindset you will need to develop. Once you’ve explored the tenants of a church administrator, check out Grace College’s online Master of Nonprofit Management degree as a next step!

Church administration and management positions direct and oversee the critical functions that help churches meet their long-term goals. Church administrators also play a role in helping and guiding the community.

“The 21st-century church has been catapulted into arenas that were hardly accessed a few years ago,” according to Ministry Today magazine. “It now offers so much more than just a sanctuary and a sermon.” Churches may provide:

• Daycare centers
• Grade schools, high schools and training institutes
• Youth organizations
• Senior programs
• Help for coping with divorce
• Drug rehabilitation
• Vocational training
• Ministry to the incarcerated, those with HIV/AIDS and the homeless
• Economic development or business incubators

Depending on the size of the church, church administration/management responsibilities can encompass the job description of an individual or several people. In larger churches, one person may be responsible for finance while another person may be responsible for developing certain types of ministry programs. Small churches may have only one church administrator.

Church Administrator Roles

The following areas represent the roles and responsibilities a church administrator might have. All of these roles can be obtained by someone who has a  Master of Nonprofit Management.

Leadership and Supervision

• Advise the council or team of elders on the status of all areas of responsibility.
• Work with the senior pastor or as a member of the leadership team to offer support and vision.
• Coordinate planning and execution of new leader orientation.

Finance and Human Resources

• Oversee the hiring process for new staff.
• Supervise employees.
• Monitor the performance of all personnel.
• Develop employment policies and procedures.
• Develop compensation plans.
• Coordinate the planning and budget process, ensuring that teams have goals in place and that they are tracking their progress.
• Recruit and train teams that count the congregation’s weekly offering.
• Oversee the finance team and present budgetary matters to the council and congregation for approval.
• Monitor spending and ensure that it stays within the budget.

Communication and IT

• Collaborate with the communication coordinator or team to provide relevant and timely communication to the congregation.
• Oversee electronic media such as the website and social media networks.
• Coordinate the technology team to support the church’s servers, computers and other technology needs.
• Manage daily computer issues and assume responsibility for door, camera and phone systems.

Facilities

• Oversee rental agreements with the church.
• Work with building and grounds team staff to manage maintenance.
• Coordinate renovation projects and explore building needs.

The Mindset of a Church Administrator

Administration is a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:28). People who are gifted in church administration can bless a local church with their ability to be a liaison between the pastor, the congregation and the staff, with the spiritual integrity (Proverbs 11:3) that they are called to have.

These and other biblical principles are not at odds with business. “The administrator has to have a corporate view and treat the church like a Fortune 500 company, no matter what the church’s size,” Ministry Magazine says. Some leaders shy away from practices that appear too businesslike — to avoid becoming “worldly” — but business principles can successfully help churches grow and help people follow Jesus Christ.

Successful church administrators are able to — with the wisdom, knowledge, and discernment that comes from the Holy Spirit (John 14:17) — apply what they know about business to impact the church.

Serving the Church as an Administrator

Are you interested in church administration and management?

Grace College’s online nonprofit management degree equips students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in marketing communication, technology, staff management, and fundraising. Rooted in Christian servant leadership, the program helps graduates apply faith to careers in nonprofit management, such as church administration positions.

This accelerated program can be completed in two years. It takes place in a fully online learning environment, allowing students the flexibility to complete coursework alongside personal and work responsibilities.