Answer:

The Church bulletin is the most effective. I always like to keep my hands on the bulletin. I like to do my own order of service, and I usually like input into the music chosen from time to time. I like to word many of the announcements. Next would be the bulletin boards. These may be in the hands of various people but I like to have veto power over what goes on the bulletin board. They should be up to date - to the very DAY. They should be attractive and colorful and uncluttered. Next would be a Church Newsletter. I would want to author a column like "The Pastor's Corner". I would not want to be editor but would want oversight and have my finger on each edition. Improvement from time comes by constantly listening to feedback from the congregation and input from secretaries and by constantly reading bulletins and newsletters from other churches.

There are modern tech advances like the Phone Tree and video presentations that can really enhance communication. Most likely the Phone Tree or something like it is going to become a MUST. This will allow almost instant communication with the entire phone list.

Question #3. How can conflict be best managed?

Answer:

If sitting down with both parties or sides does not resolve the problem, I am feeling that we will have to go to impartial third parties who will have expertise in conflict management and both sides will agree to binding arbitration. An arbiter can listen, make a judgment, deliver the options and the rest is up to the parties. This leaves individuals within the church out so the conflict does not encourage side taking on the part of a major part of the congregation. I do not like this approach but we are not doing very well in settling conflict - at least we are doing it in such a way that people work through the problem and remain in the church and remain brothers and friends.

Question # 4. How can a Senior Pastor best give oversight to staff members such as Secretaries, Janitors, and Assistant Pastors?

Answer:

My basic philosophy is that the Senior Pastor must keep a tight reign. He should have his hands on everything. This does not mean he runs everything but that he knows what is going on and has input into all major decisions and programs. I feel that a church cannot afford to have independent satellites circling in space without central control. The key is knowing what is going on and having input when necessary without strangling staff.

I believe a very important person in the church is an Executive Secretary. I am leery of the trend to designate the secretary as an Administrative Assistant. THAT IS DANGEROUS. It gives a secretary prestige and title, usually without commensurate remuneration. A good executive Secretary who has the complete trust of the pastor in matters of confidence and who can thus be privy to most of what is going on in the church, is worth her weight in gold.

The janitors are little problem if they have the respect of the Pastor - if he is conscious and sensitive to the irritants of their work, if he, with the trustees, sees to it that he or she has the best equipment, if he is not beneath giving a hand in an emergency, and if he tries to protect the custodian from impositions on the part of the congregation.

Secretary and custodian should feel a part of the administrative team. I firmly believe that they should be FROM WITHIN the church. And I feel they should be regular attenders at most services, if possible.

Assistant Pastors and other ministerial staff need constant oversight. They need to be supportive of the senior pastor without being stifled in their own ideas. It is important that:

a. The senior pastor be accessible to them.

b. The senior pastor spend time with them regularly (These should be underlined and in bold type.)

The senior pastor should not ask anything of his staff that he has not done or is not willing to do.

Question # 5. In what ways does a Pastor lead by example, and how does his or her family affect this modeling?

Answer:

This one is a tough one. It would seem to me that the Pastor should be an example in all things. If he preaches it, he ought to live it. If he expects his people to be in prayer meeting, he ought to be there also. If he expects his people to be committed, he ought to be committed also.

His family ought to set the same kind of example that he does in most things. His wife should be beside him in all things.

Having said that, I know that all wives are not cut out of the same cloth. I know that all children are not the same.

The goal is for the pastor to be an example, a role model, a pace setter, and a shepherd in all things. And his family be an example like him. This, however, must be tempered according to the personnel.

Question # 6. What are some recommended record keeping programs for membership and financial reporting?

Answer:

I recommend Parsons Technology and their offerings in this area. I still have not found the program that fits the needs of the small church who does not keep exhaustive profiles of the membership.

Question # 7. What tools are available to help a Pastor manage the daily work load?

Answer:

One - A strong work ethic

Two - A good secretary

Three - A good computer

Four - A love for the ministry

Five - A knowledge of time management

Six - An ability to prioritize

Seven - The ability to say "no" (Remember that there are several ways to say "no" without saying "no".)

Question # 8. What are some of the tasks related to church administration, and how can a Pastor best accomplish those tasks?

Answer:

It seems to be that administration includes a long list:

Chairing the Governing Board and preparing the agenda;

Writing the report to the congregation;

Giving oversight to key committees.

Preparing (or directing others to care for):

Christmas celebration;

Easter Celebration;

Missionary Convention;

Patriotic Celebration.

Correspondence;

Oversight and direction of the staff;

Overseeing communications, i.e., prayer chain, bulletin, newsletter.

There are others that I cannot think of right now.

How can a pastor best accomplish these tasks ?

Delegate to people he knows he can trust who will not need to be prompted.

Prioritize.

Work ahead - if he procrastinates, he will drown.

Question # 9. How should a Pastor view himself in relation to other Pastors, Lay-ministers and Church Members?

Answer:

He should walk humbly, carefully and prayerfully. In the words of Scripture .. "he should consider others better than himself."