Called to be a church administrator

Calling encompasses a concept normally associated with ministry. As Ken Crawford argued so persuasively in his article “Descending Into Administration,”* pastoral ministry is indeed a high calling. The biblical prophets conceived their work as a direct call from God; their messages often began with the powerful phrase, “The word of the Lord came to . . .” Throughout church history, pastors, evangelists, and missionaries thought of their work not as just a job but as a special calling to accomplish a special mission for God, who called them.

Without in any way disagreeing with such a position, my ten-year experience as a church employee has led me to conclude that God also calls many to the supportive ministry of church administration. God has placed that calling in my heart.

After graduating from Pacific Union College in California, United States, in 1983 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and no plan to work for the church, I did accept a position as a business intern for the Nevada-Utah Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. I figured that I would work out my internship and then get a “real” job. When the two-year internship concluded, I was asked to continue as the accountant. Having nowhere else to go at the time, I accepted. After two more years I became the assistant treasurer, and before I knew it, nearly ten years had passed. Through the latter portion of those ten years, I was unhappy, bored, unsupportive, and on several occasions, insubordinate. I would openly bring employment ads to work, searching for another position. At one point, I was offered a job at a local hospital. I considered it but decided not to take it for the sole reason that the pay was the same as I was currently receiving, and I did not want to make a financially “lateral” move.

A pivotal point in my life, this decision literally determined where I ended up. I strongly believe that only through God’s providence working in my mind at that time, and His working through a very patient administrator, am I now happily in church employment as a vice president for finance while feeling the full calling of God. My heavenly Father used people and circumstances over nearly a decade, especially during that important employment decision, to bring me to the realization that His place for me was church administration.

Over the years as a church administrator, many experiences have given me opportunities for Christian growth and occasions to benefit those I serve.

Recognizing my need of God

I remember the time when I became aware my calling was to church administration. In that moment I realized at the core of my being I was where God wanted me to be. Yet at the same time, I knew I would have to rely on Him entirely.

If ever there was a job that drove me to my knees, being a church administrator did just that. I quickly found the decisions that have to be made and the enormity of the responsibility was far bigger than I was able to handle on my own. The biblical admonition, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Zech. 4:6, NIV) became my steady companion. The reality that I affect lives by the decisions I make and how the resources are used or not used based on my opinion has become a staggering responsibility, and one I dare not attempt to manage without daily contact with God in prayer.

Times do come when difficult decisions must be made. A great deal of time must be taken to discuss the matter with the parties involved. Then, in the appropriate committee comprised of qualified individuals, including many not employed by the church, a decision becomes final. In the wake of such decisions, some individuals may not agree with the outcome and may make accusations of mismanagement or ineptitude.

Yet, we must stand on the knowledge that a good process was followed, including petitions to God for wisdom and discernment as the matter was discussed and a decision reached. At these times in particular I feel my need of God’s abiding presence most intensely.

One ever present temptation: to make decisions solely on experience or innate ability. I have found this to be extremely dangerous ground. Not that we shouldn’t recognize the talents God has given and use them, but an attempt to do so without a submissive spirit leads to an attitude of self-importance and a desire for status. I am reminded that even Lucifer succumbed to the enticement of status and self-importance, and this led to the origin of sin. Therefore I must know that I am in constant submission to God and His will.

The opportunity to preach

I have a business degree. I am not a trained preacher. Yet I have the privilege of joining many churches in the Oregon Conference in worship through preaching. While I am not challenged with the task of preparing a sermon every week, I do have the opportunity on an ongoing basis to dig deeply into the Word as I prepare sermons to bring to the churches in our territory. This process enriches my spiritual experience and goes beyond a daily devotion.

In addition to adding richness to my own soul, it offers one way to keep our churches connected to the larger body of believers, particularly in our smaller, more remote churches. In Portland, Oregon, where I live, there are many churches in close proximity that tend to be more self-sufficient. But in the farther reaches of the conference territory not as many options for Sabbath fellowship exist. My presence on Sabbath morning offers a link from the larger body of believers to the church where I am speaking and becomes a wonderful experience to worship with them and let them know of the happenings around the conference territory.

Offering a third-party view

As you might expect, I spend a large amount of my time in meetings, some having to do with the internal running of the organization. But often I am called to be a part of a local school or churchboard meeting. In those cases, the issue may be a difficult financial situation that has the local board stymied. I may be able to offer solutions from other churches or schools that faced similar challenges. In addition, the situation might allow me to commit funds that the conference has available.

Sometimes policy or legal questions are asked that I can either answer on the spot or can research and return an answer. In the end, I can be a third-party resource to the local church or school as needed.

Positive organizational representative

I cannot tell you how many times I have had the opportunity to be the face, hands, and feet of the church organization. Anyone acting as a church administrator has noticed that many see the formal church organization as a faceless, somewhat distant entity, maybe even adverse or unnecessary. Yet, I consider it a privilege to put a face to the organization with those opportunities taking many different forms. I will sometimes meet individuals who have been hurt by the church in the past. I can offer a listening ear and, on behalf of the organization, apologize to them for what happened. Some have been brought to tears because the “organization” has never acknowledged their pain.

I have many opportunities to meet with different groups such as young adults, local church treasurers, or Sabbath School classes. It is energizing to listen to their observations and share my perspectives, encourage them, and often share resources with them. I remember one camp meeting several years ago where I had the chance to talk to the youth about the church organization. As I was talking about the resources we provide to churches for evangelism, I asked myself why I should not offer the same help to the youth of the church. So I challenged them to go to their school chaplain and come up with ways they could share Jesus in their community. I considered it a privilege to pledge financial support to the school toward that effort and let them know that their church organization was willing to help them.

Casting a vision

 For the past several months, my administrative colleagues and I have been on a renewed journey asking what God wants of us and of His church. That search has led us to the book of Acts. As you recall, this book, particularly in the first few chapters, recounts the blossoming of the early church. We see that there was an embracing of the gospel message to such an extent that the Holy Spirit fell powerfully on this group of early believers, who were fearless in sharing the good news of Jesus with everyone they met. People accepted the message by the thousands.

What was it that allowed the Spirit to move in such a way? We have asked ourselves that question and have come to the conclusion that they were a people of the Great Commission. God calls us to share this good news of the gospel with others. Jesus commanded: “ ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’” (Matt. 28:19, 20, NIV).

As we have continued our study of the early church and its success, Don Livesay, president of the Oregon Conference, coined the term commission culture. This is where we, as believers, so immerse ourselves in God’s calling to share His gospel with others that it becomes part of us, part of who we are and how we live—part of our individual culture.

We, as administrators, want to share ideas with our constituents. We want to cast this vision before all our employees and those whom we serve. I believe that part of my calling as a church administrator involves casting a vision and living that vision while the Spirit works in the lives of those who embrace that vision. Administration then comes alongside to support them as they relate it to their own calling.

Supporting the ministry

I love the way the apostle Paul describes the body of Christ in Romans 12—it’s an amazing concept. We are one body with many parts, each working together toward a common goal. He says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (Rom. 12:6, NIV). He then lists prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving to others, and more. I pay attention to the one called leadership. Paul says if you recognize your gift as leadership, then “govern diligently.”

In 1993, after working for the church for almost ten years, my calling to administration became clear. My heart’s desire is to support God’s cause until He comes. He has called me to “govern diligently” as an administrator in charge of the financial well-being of my conference territory. He has called me to serve the constituents, the churches, and the schools to the best of my ability.

I believe the premise that a pastor’s calling is the highest and best calling. But I also believe that God calls men and women to the high calling of administration to support His work. My prayer for you: regardless of the call God has placed on your heart, that you will discharge your duty with a passion worthy of that calling.

Paul said it well: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Eph. 4:1, NIV).