It is no exaggeration to say that one of the greatest challenges facing the Body of Christ in this 21st century is poor administration. The way the affairs of God’s house are being handled today is often unbiblical and disorganized. This challenge stems largely from a lack of knowledge and understanding in the area of Church Administration.
Unlike secular or business administration, church administration is a spiritual calling and responsibility. It involves managing God’s people, resources, and assets in line with His divine order. The Word says, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Church administration can be summarized under three core areas:
- 👥 People (Men): Effective and godly leadership over the flock of Christ.
- 💰 Money: Faithful stewardship over the financial resources of the Kingdom.
- 🏠 Materials: Proper care and management of church properties and physical assets.
Sadly, many churches today have mismanaged these three M’s, leading to crisis, division, and stagnation in God’s house. To build a strong, growing, and spiritually vibrant church, we must strike a balance between spiritual vitality and administrative order.
This lesson is designed to highlight some of the key administrative problems in today’s church and propose biblical solutions.
📜 SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION:
- Exodus 18:17–23 — Moses receives counsel from Jethro to establish structure.
- Acts 6:1–7 — The early church dealt wisely with a crisis in the distribution of food by appointing deacons.
Even though the early church had just experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, administrative challenges still arose. But because they addressed them with wisdom and structure, the church grew even more.
🧱 TEN ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGES IN THE 21ST CENTURY CHURCH
1. 📄 LACK OF PROPER CONSTITUTION
Many churches today either operate without a constitution or adopt one that contradicts their doctrinal beliefs. For instance, a Pentecostal church using a Baptist constitution (which follows a congregational government structure) will inevitably run into conflict when the leadership seeks to exercise pastoral authority.
A church constitution should be biblically grounded, clearly understood, and regularly reviewed. A constitution without revelation becomes a “con” in the institution.
Key Point: Every church must have a constitution that reflects its spiritual convictions and governance model.
2. ⚖️ ABSENCE OR POOR FORMULATION OF CHURCH POLICIES
Where there are no church policies, church politics will flourish. Church policies are guiding principles that influence how ministry is conducted—covering areas such as:
- Recruitment and employment
- Ordination procedures
- Welfare and remuneration
- Church planting and pastor transfer
Without clear policies, decisions become arbitrary, creating confusion and division in the Body.
3. 🧑🏫 STAFF MISMANAGEMENT
The Bible differentiates between ministering staff (Ephesians 4:11-12) and serving staff (Acts 6:1-7). Many churches confuse the two, assigning spiritual responsibilities to those who are not called or equipped.
Examples of staff mismanagement:
- Employing pastors without formal appointment letters.
- Staff working for years without clear terms of service.
- Employing unqualified individuals due to sentiment or favoritism.
Right staff equals right results. Wrong staff brings stagnation and strife.
4. 🕊️ DISORDERED ORDINATION PRACTICES
Ordination should be a spiritual act, not a political transaction. Sadly, in some churches today:
- Worthy servants are overlooked.
- Unqualified individuals are promoted.
- Ordination becomes a tool for personal gain or manipulation.
This causes disunity, bitterness, and in many cases, church splits. Ordination must be done prayerfully, transparently, and in alignment with divine purpose.
5. 🎖️ ABUSE OF CHURCH TITLES
When churches lack clear teaching and biblical policy regarding ministerial titles:
- Titles become more important than the anointing.
- Unbiblical titles like Field Marshal, General, King, or Arch Apostle emerge.
- Confusion arises regarding spiritual hierarchy and leadership roles.
Reminder: It’s not the title that makes the mantle, but the mantle that justifies the title. Let the focus return to function over formality.
6. 👨👩👧👦 MINISTERS’ WELFARE NEGLECT
A laborer is worthy of his wages (Luke 10:7). Yet, in many churches:
- Pastors are poorly paid or not paid at all.
- There are no retirement, health, or housing provisions.
- Staff welfare is treated as an afterthought.
When ministers are underpaid or unappreciated, they become vulnerable to discouragement or the temptation to start independent ministries. Welfare policies are not luxuries—they are necessities.
7. 🏛️ THE “HEADQUARTERS SYNDROME”
Many church headquarters drain resources from their branches without giving adequate support or representation. Branches become overtaxed while being under-resourced.
A healthy church structure allows both headquarters and branches to thrive in mutual accountability and support. If we overburden the branches, we weaken the body.
Truth: “Taxation without representation is tyranny,” even in the church.
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8. 🏫 LACK OF TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING
A growing church must be a training church. Many leaders today operate with zeal but without knowledge. Without proper training:
- Leaders burn out.
- Gifts are mismanaged.
- The church remains spiritually shallow.
There must be continuous equipping through leadership conferences, workshops, mentorship, and Bible training programs. “Training births transformation.”
9. 🚫 POOR DISCIPLINARY SYSTEMS
Where there is no discipline, disorder will reign. Many churches fail to implement biblical church discipline:
- Wrongdoings go unaddressed.
- Moral failures are covered up.
- Disciplinary measures are inconsistent.
There should be a clear and fair system involving a disciplinary committee that ensures biblical correction (Galatians 6:1) while promoting restoration—not condemnation.
10. 🏗️ GENERAL LACK OF STRUCTURE AND VISION
Many churches do not grow because they are built around personality, not principle. Without divine vision, godly systems, and Spirit-led strategy, a church will suffer from internal collapse even if it grows numerically.
CONCLUSION
The 21st century church is facing a wave of administrative crises that cannot be resolved by human wisdom alone. We need divine revelation, Spirit-led leadership, and a return to biblical order.
Let us remember:
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18)
For the Church to be healthy, vibrant, and rapture-ready, we must take administration as seriously as we take preaching, praying, and prophesying.
May the Lord grant us wisdom and courage to build His Church according to His divine pattern. Amen.