Pauline concept of the spiritual gift of administration and its implications to the role of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches pastors as church administrators

Abstract

In every generation the people of God need administrators, men of words and actions, and some are called to this task. It is essentially the pastoral task: to lead the flock, not as of right, but as humble instruments of Christ, the Good Shepherd.

Every administrator must be free to guide his particular congregation from its present place in the wilderness into the promised land of the church’s true mission. And at the same time, the administrator must know that the promised land is a reality and in what direction it lies.

This special paper is written out of the writer’s growing concern of pastors’ role as administrators in CPBC churches and its need for pastors who are equipped with skills in church administration in order to respond to the growing demands of local churches especially in urban areas.

The writer would want to help pastors and would-be pastors to discover what they ought to be doing, to understand why they are doing it, and to set forth the basic biblical principles based on Paul’s concept of the spiritual gift of administration in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 13-14; 27-31, for moving toward the goal of equipping the church to fulfill her mission.

This special paper is entitled, “Pauline Concept of the Spiritual Gift of Administration and Its Implications to the Role of the CPBC Pastors as Church Administrators.” The problem was chosen because of the need to address the pressing concern of pastors who had a problem on situating themselves in the organizational structure of the church and their role as administrators. It is also a known fact that our CPBC churches are growing and the Convention is expanding its ministry in urban areas, but seminaries cannot cope with the increasing demand of pastors equipped with administrative skills. May this paper be an eye-opener to pastors to give importance on the area of church administration, for a well-managed church is a place where ministry flows purposefully and freely, efficiently, without hindrances.

This special paper is divided into five (5) major sections:

Chapter I offers an introduction of the study of which the background and rationale is included. This chapter also wants to convey the writer’s purpose of conducting the study and its significance to the recipients. The writer also defined significant terms being used, for a clear understanding of the study. Furthermore, the scope, limitation and methodology being used by the writer are also included. The writer also presented a review of related literature to back up the discussion of the topic and to affirm the validity of the problem being raised.

Chapter II discusses the introduction of the book of I Corinthians. It also includes brief background of the book’s authorship, date, place, purpose, recipients, theme and literary structure.

Chapter III exegeted and interpreted the specific passages used in the study. It covered a translation in Greek and the writer’s personal translation in English. The writer presented a verse-by-verse exegesis of the passage including its interpretation and analysis. This chapter concluded with a summary of theological issues and concepts of church administration based on the chosen passage.

Chapter IV integrated the Pauline concept of administration and its implications to the role of the CPBC pastors as church administrators. The implications are the following: Role of CPBC Pastors as Administrators, Dealing with Administrative Task (1) Church polity and (2) Seminary Training, and Importance of Administration in the Ministry and Building of the Church.

Chapter V presented the summary, conclusion and recommendations of this study.