04Dec 2009 by Nigel Ring

Biblical Administration part 9 – Qualifications of an Administrator – Personal Morality

Administration in the Church, Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, General, Ghana, Leadership
1Ti 3:2  Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach Continuing to look at the character qualifications related to an Administrator the next phrase in this verse is: ‘.. the husband of one wife..’ Although this should need little exposition in the context of the western world it does become a real issue in some nations where polygamy is practised. What is permissible for a man who has many wives once he is converted? Can he become an overseer? A friend of mine, John Kpikpi, who leads the Newfrontiers church in Ghana and is planting churches in 7 West African nations, has written particularly helpfully on the subject of marriage in an African context in his excellent book God’s…
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24Nov 2009 by Nigel Ring

Biblical Administration pt 7 – Qualifications of an Administrator – Spiritual Wisdom and Faith

Administration in the Church, Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, General, Good Practice, Leadership
Full of the Spirit and wisdom Returning to our examination of qualities that make a good Administrator we shall now look at Acts 6:3. Here we see that the apostles specify that the candidates must be ‘full of the Spirit and wisdom’. In times of tension, which undoubtedly was the case with the particular dispute that gave rise to the need for these appointments, there is no room for what many would call human or natural reactions to dominate; these can rapidly become ungodly. It would be easy, out of frustration, for those charged with solving the problem to resort to heavy handedness and try to impose a solution. Recently I have been involved in a sad situation in which a key leader, with significant administrative responsibility in a Christian…
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20Nov 2009 by Nigel Ring

Biblical Administration pt 6 – Qualifications of an Administrator – Character

Administration in the Church, Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, General, Good Practice, Leadership
Job vacancy! We live in an upside down Kingdom. When advertising a post the world will pay great attention to the qualifications needed for the job – a degree in Business Administration or Economics may be a good start. However, the Bible does not seem to be particularly interested in such information, concentrating more on spiritual gifting, calling and character. I doubt if Joseph would have become the senior administrator in the nation if his curriculum vitae were taken as the guideline – precocious teenager, slave and prisoner hardly qualified him to be Prime Minister! Nevertheless, God used all these situations to shape his character, preparing him to fulfil his calling as saviour of the nation. If we follow the world’s model of giving preference to those who are highly…
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09Nov 2009 by Nigel Ring

Biblical Administration part 4 – The fruit of good Administration

Administration in the Church, Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, General, Leadership
Act 6:1-7  (1) Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. (2) And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. (3) Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. (4 ) But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."  (5) And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and…
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02Nov 2009 by Nigel Ring

Biblical Administration part 3 – Administration in the Early Church

Administration in the Church, Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Cross-culture, Equipping, Leadership, Poor
Birth of the church Pentecost must have been an exciting time! The 120 had been in the Upper Room when the Spirit fell and they rushed out into the street beside themselves with excitement, so much so that people thought they were drunk, despite it being just after breakfast. They were speaking ‘nineteen to the dozen’ in their excitement – even though they were using languages from other nations which they had never formally learned! Following Peter’s sermon in the open air several remarkable things happened: 1. The listeners were deeply convicted of their sin and wanted to know how to be saved. 2. 3000 were baptized and added to the church – no mean administrative exercise in itself! 3. They ‘devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship,…
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29Oct 2009 by Nigel Ring

Biblical Administration part 2 – The Gift of Administration

Administration in the Church, Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, Leadership
1Co 12:28  And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. As we can see from this verse administration is placed alongside spiritual gifts which build up the church and demonstrate the Lord’s power and glory. It is more than being highly skilled e.g. having an MBA or a degree in economics, valuable additions though they may be to the exercise of the gift. It is a serving gift, an enabling, equipping and facilitating gift for the body of Christ. In 1 Cor 14:12 Paul tells us that we should seek the gifts of the Spirit as they edify or build up the church. They are like a tool-kit to get the job…
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