ELDERSHIP, LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION

1 Timothy 3:1-3, Acts 6:1-6
Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.”Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

Acts 14:23
When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Titus 1:5
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.

Acts 20:17
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.

1 Peter 5:1-4
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

1 Timothy 3:1-13
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

Titus 1:6-9
namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled.

MANAGEMENT

“Management” is another word for “stewardship.” “Stewards,” or “managers,” are responsible over something entrusted to them by someone else. 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.

1. The principle of ownership. Deuteronomy 8:18, Psalm 24:1; Deuteronomy 8:17-18; I Corinthians 6:19-20
2. The principle of responsibility. I Peter 4:10; I Corinthians 9:17; Genesis 1:28-29; Deuteronomy 26:4
3. The principle of accountability. Matthew 25:14-28; Romans 14:10-12
4. The principle of reward. Colossians 3:23-24; Matthew 25:21: Matthew 25:31-40; Mark 10:17-22; Matthew 6:25-33
5. The Principle of Enough (Hebrews 13:5).
6. The Principle of Proper Perspective (Matthew 6:24).
7. The Principle of the Good Steward (Matthew 19:16-22).
8. The Principle of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-18).
9. The Principle of the Widow’s Mite (Mark 12:41-44).
10. The Principle of the Faithful Giver (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
Administration: Be Persistent and Follow-up in your Leadership
1. Lead the church in establishing short term and long-range objectives.
2. Plan a yearly calendar including boards, harvest focus, programs and other important events.
3. Lead the local church in establishing an annual budget.
4. Work in harmony with the actions of the local church board, school board, and the Conference Executive Committee. If any conflict arises, counsel with Conference administration is urged.
5. Maintain awareness of information contained in communications from the Conference, implementing the necessary items in an appropriate manner in the local church.
6. Communicate early enough to your fellow leaders issues pertaining Leadership, Administration and Church Activities.
7. Report to the Conference through whatever systems of accountability is established. Insure that the clerk and treasurer’s reports are submitted in a timely manner.
8. Negotiate role expectations with local church board annually; utilize an evaluation process periodically.
9. The first essential duty neglected by pastors is connecting. Acts 16:13-15
10. The second essential duty many pastors neglect is analysis.1 Corinthians 11
11. The next oft-neglected essential duty is recruiting.
12. The fourth essential duty that many pastors fail to fulfill is managing. 1 Corinthians 16.
13. The essential duty that is often neglected by pastors is resolving.

Leadership

The ability to use power, resources in wisdom with focus discerning, directing and rightly applying it for fruition, development and betterment of his/ her followers in to a purpose predetermined unto success and prosperity from one level to another.

• Leadership is ―the behavior of an individual when he is directing the activities of a group toward a shared goal.
• Leadership is ―interpersonal influence, exercised in a situation, and directed, through the communication process, toward the attainment of a specified goal or goals
• Leadership is the ―initiation and maintenance of structure in expectation and interaction.
• Leadership is the ―influential increment over and above mechanical compliance with the routine directives of the organization.
• Leadership is ―the process of influencing the activities of an organized group toward goal achievement.
• Leadership is a process of giving purpose (meaningful direction) to collective effort to be expended to achieve purpose.
• Leaders are those who consistently make effective contributions to social order, and who are expected and perceived to do so.