THE MINISTRY OF BIBLICAL MANAGEMENT

Management refers to managing spiritual resources for the work of the ministry. Successful mastering of biblical management makes us good stewards in the garden of the Lord.

 

 The Definition of Management

Management is the process of accomplishing God's purposes and plans through proper use of human, material, and spiritual resources. It is evaluated by whether or not these plans and purposes are accomplished. It is another word for ‘stewardship’.

 

All believers are stewards of certain resources given by God. Leaders are stewards over special resources which include:

• The Gospel

• Finances

• Material resources like property, buildings, equipments etc.

• Spiritual gifts

• Other believers.

 

The first message from God to man was about management (Gen.1:28). It contains three important tasks of a manager:

1) Maximize resources by "multiplying" to accomplish God's purpose and plans.

2) Minimize disorder by "subduing.”

3) Maintain order by "ruling" (dominion).

 

The greatest example of leadership is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the model for all Christian leaders.

 

The main requirement of stewards is that they are faithful (1Cor.4:2). In Matthew 25:14-30, those stewards who used the money wisely were called “faithful and good’, and those who failed were judged and held accountable.

 

The ministry of management involves leading others to accomplish great things for God. It includes the following:

• Recognizing the importance of the anointing to lead

• Meeting biblical qualifications for leadership

• Learning to lead as a servant

• Learning to lead like a shepherd

• Understanding the basic tasks of a leader

• Training leaders and followers

• Applying principles of success taught in god's word

• Avoiding violations that cause failure in leadership

• Understanding principles of biblical organization

 

Organization is flexible to accommodate the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Organization in the Church is really more like a living organism.  Leaders are not elected or appointed in the King’s Dominion of heaven, but they are called and equipped by God for His work (Psa. 75:6-7). Leadership involves both position (like apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher) and function. Its main function is equipping others for the work of the ministry. Leadership also concerns the relations of leaders with their followers.

 

Management also involves analyzing your ministry in order to establish purpose and plans. These include the following: 

• Formulating a purpose for ministry in harmony with that of God

• Making plans to achieve the purpose

• Organizing people and procedures to implement the plan

• Perfecting the plan through evaluation

 

Proper management of ministry is important because it:

• Provides purpose and direction

• Eliminates confusion (1 Cor.14:33, Eph.5:1)

• Permits proper decisions

• Establishes  priorities for ministry

• Permits action rather than reaction

• Establishes accountability (Luke 12:47)

• Permits evaluation

• Establishes a better use of spiritual resources

• Prepares us to enter open doors (1 Cor.16;9)

• Harmonizes ministry with the will of God

 

God still searches for men whom He can use as leaders (Ezek 22:30). However, becoming a good manager takes time and effort (1 Cor.3:13). 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.