The Pastor and Church Administration | 9Marks Journal: Working Together Towards Healthy Churches

Church administration may not be a glitzy or glamorous topic, but churches need good administration, like houses need frames. It helps to hold the church together and gives it shape. More than that, administration feeds good ministry, unifies the body, and helps prevent division. Pastors, therefore, should give some attention to their budgets, staffing structures, buildings, and church policies, even as they prioritize prayer and the ministry of the Word.
9Marks
At 9Marks, we help pastors, future pastors, and church members see what a biblical church looks like, and help them take practical steps toward becoming one. We believe every local church should be characterized by expository preaching, biblical theology, a biblical understanding of the gospel and of conversion, biblical evangelism, church membership, church discipline, discipleship, and a biblical model of leadership. In order to inform and influence churches, 9Marks creates a wide variety of practical resources including books, articles, podcasts, book reviews, and a quarterly Journal. We also host regular events around the world—almost all of them geared toward equipping and encouraging pastors.
Table of Contents
IS ADMINISTRATION FOR PASTORS?
The New Testament's First Administrators by Brad Thayer
Administrators: Playing with Calculators or Building Up the Body of Christ? by Mike Carnicella
Pastors, Don't Forget to Shepherd Your Deacons by Gus Pritchard
From the Archives: Why an Administrative Pastor by Ryan Townsend
STAFFING
Hiring and Firing by Brad Wheeler
What Job Titles Should Churches Use — Two Simple Rules by Jonathan Leeman
Evaluating How an Elder Is Ruling by Bob Johnson
Why Clear Job Descriptions and Staff Structures Serve the Church by Ryan Townsend
Why Pastors Should Submit to Each Other by Jeff Wiesner
BUILDINGS
Are Buildings Essential to Healthy Churches? by Adam Sinnett
The Benefits of Having a Building by Benjamin Woodward
What to Do When Your Building Is Full by Mike Carnicella and Greg Gilbert
A Theological Framework for Buildings and Renovations by John Henderson
BUDGETING
How to Talk with Your Church about Money by Jamie Dunlop
Handling Your Church's Finances with Transparency and Integrity by Jenny Terry
Who Should Know How Much Everyone Makes? by Jason Read
Preparing Pastors for Retirement by Brad Thayer
How Much Should We Pay Our Staff by Jamie Dunlop
Addressing Staff Salary Discrepancies by Dennis Blythe
Advocating for Your Own Pay by Jamie Dunlop
POLICIES
Principles for a Benevolence Policy That Is Both Merciful and Wise by Philip Duncanson
Why a Church Constitution Is More Than a Necessary Evil by Greg Gilbert
Hw a Lack of Trellis Undermines Ministry by Jonathan Rourke
How to Have a Well-Run Elders' Meeting by Aaron Menikoff
How to Use a Care List in Elders' and Members' Meetings by Alex Bloomfield
LGBTQ+ Policies: What Do We Do about Youth Group? by Zach Carter
Sabbaticals for the Shepherds by Garrett Kell
Sample Constitution and Elder Meeting Bylaws