Week 5 - People

Adam Fike
2/12/09

Administrative work can become a hindrance to focusing on people, but in a different way, people work/ministry can also become a hindrance to focusing on people. For example, a pastor could take the youth to a monthly meeting of all the youth groups in the county for the wrong reasons. It could be done solely because it is “what we always do” or “because I don’t have anything better to do with them.” A pastor may become caught up in the duty and formalities of making the bulletin or leading a business meeting, but the same pastor may also become caught up in the duty of preaching or ministering to the sick. What is my point? Although it may be more difficult to direct the focus of administrative work toward people, it is definitely possible.

We must direct and purpose everything we do in ministry to lead God’s people to Him. I Corinthians 10: 31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Even though it is not an easy practice, I believe that it is possible to do everything with the motive of bringing glory to God. God pours out His love and blessings on us, and we respond by seeking to bring Him glory in everything we do.

There are practical strategies and disciplines we can employ to cause the focus on people in administrative work to come more naturally. One discipline a pastor can practice is to pray before doing administrative work asking God to focus his/her mind on Him and His people. If God is included in the process, it is then the purpose and meaning of administrative work surfaces and becomes clear. A pastor can also take regular time to reflect on the fruit and significance of the administrative work. It may be a good idea to delegate some of the administrative work to others in the church with special skills relating to the work. This makes the load of administrative work more bearable, and it helps to cause people to feel like they are a part of the church. Certain kinds of administrative work can also be a time for service and fellowship between the pastor and members of the congregation.