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Administration,
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While worship, pastoral care, spiritual development, and social justice are all extremely important, none of it would happen without the administrative support that keeps the church running. Recognizing this is the first key in understanding how to be a minister of a church. Managing staff in a way that acknowledges their importance to the health of the institution – and an awareness of social justice issues within your own employment practices – are integral to the overall success of the organization.
Stewardship—caring for what is important to us—is a vital part of the spiritual work of the church. This includes generosity in terms of our time, talent, and treasure, though most often the focus is on “treasure”—the financial support of the church by its members and friends.
I believe the minister of a church should be aware of and involved in the financial affairs of the church, but should leave the majority of the actual stewardship work to the lay leadership (Board, especially Treasurer, and Finance Committee). The minister inspires the congregation to be good stewards of the assets—tangible and intangible— and to support the church in order to enable it to live fully into its ministry within and outside its walls. This includes preaching about stewardship, conducting adult education around stewardship in the context of covenantal community, and providing insights and support to the lay leadership who work with the church finances year-round.
Stewardship—caring for what is important to us—is a vital part of the spiritual work of the church. This includes generosity in terms of our time, talent, and treasure, though most often the focus is on “treasure”—the financial support of the church by its members and friends.
I believe the minister of a church should be aware of and involved in the financial affairs of the church, but should leave the majority of the actual stewardship work to the lay leadership (Board, especially Treasurer, and Finance Committee). The minister inspires the congregation to be good stewards of the assets—tangible and intangible— and to support the church in order to enable it to live fully into its ministry within and outside its walls. This includes preaching about stewardship, conducting adult education around stewardship in the context of covenantal community, and providing insights and support to the lay leadership who work with the church finances year-round.