Why a course on administration? I. Support the Mission of God – Clear proclamation of what we are called to be and do – Raise up spiritual gifts and avenues of service – Emphasize call of all baptized – Be efficient about the abundant work of the whole body – Awareness of larger faith community

Why a course on administration? II. Build Trust – Consistency in how decisions are discussed and made – Consistency in information provided to leadership and membership – Prevention of one individual or group manipulating the process (including the pastor or council)

Why a course on administration? III. To Equip the Saints for the Work of their Ministries – Some duties prescribed by constitution and bylaws (ex. parochial reports, records, congregational meetings) – Training of lay leaders in leadership and ministry skills – Congregational care – financial, spiritual, relational, to build trust

Why a course on administration? IV. Some Observations – In rural congregations the pastor is often the only full-time staff, and the only one who sees the entire ministry of the congregation – Integration of ministry for efficiency and effectiveness – Synod statistician work has allowed me to see disorganization or shifting of duties – tools to help – Time management for all ministry duties

What do you think of when you hear the term “rural”? What have you heard others say about “rural”?

Ways to Define Rural Demographic – Rural / Urban: Pre-2000 Census Post-2000 Census – Metropolitan/Micropolitan/Neither Pre-2000 Census Post-2000 Census

2000

Other Ways to Define Rural Economic activity Cultural markers

Some Cautions Not all rural is agricultural – Extractive industries: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Mining – Recreational, Retirement Not all rural is in decline – Extractive industries: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Mining – Recreational, Retirement Not all rural is isolated: rural/urban interface

Some Cautions (cont.) Not all rural congregations are small – Note that some denominations use the term “small church” to be the same as rural church – For Lutherans, there are many large rural congregations In ELCA the term is Small Town and Rural (STaR) Ministry

Most rural contexts are characterized by economic and social stress The important point is that rural is very diverse, and the type of rural depends on the context – Not all rural is agricultural – Not all rural is small – Not all rural is declining

Seven Thresholds of History of Administration in the Church From Bacher and Cooper-White, Church Administration, chapter 1 Bible Times and Afterward – Exodus – Kingdom – Exile – Nehemiah – Disciples – Acts

Seven Thresholds of History of Administration in the Church (cont.) Establishment in Roman Empire Reformation The Enlightenment and Rationality Rediscovery of Human Nature Systems thinking Institutionalization

Augsburg Confession, Article VII. – Church is what? Sacred treasure in earthen vessels (II Cor. 4: 7) Simul Justus – both members and leaders I Cor. 12: 28, list of appointed offices, in 1952 RSV one is translated as administrators