Relevance of Church administration to successful pastoral ministry

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The growth and effectiveness of the church as both a spiritual and social institution are closely linked to the quality of its administration. Church administration refers to the deliberate process of planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating human and material resources within a Christian context in order to fulfil the church’s mission (Olawole, 2019). It encompasses everything from structuring leadership roles and maintaining financial accountability to coordinating ministries and ensuring that the church’s vision is effectively communicated and implemented. In contemporary pastoral ministry, the ability of a church leader to combine spiritual leadership with efficient administrative competence is increasingly critical, as congregations operate in an era where both spiritual nourishment and organizational excellence are expected (Adeboye, 2017).

The Christian church occupies a dual nature—it is both a divine organism and a human organization. As a divine organism, the church operates under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, with its mission rooted in the Great Commission. However, as a human organization, it functions within a framework that requires effective leadership, strategic planning, resource management, and the coordination of human relationships to succeed in its objectives (White, 2018). The absence of such organizational structure often results in disunity, mismanagement, and stagnation in church growth, regardless of the strength of its spiritual mission. Thus, while divine guidance remains central, human stewardship in the form of sound administration is indispensable.

The New Testament underscores the value of administration in church life. In Acts 6:1–7, the apostles recognized that their primary calling was to prayer and the ministry of the word, and so delegated administrative responsibilities to deacons. This biblical precedent affirms that effective delegation, role definition, and management of practical affairs are essential for sustaining ministry impact. The appointment of leaders to oversee food distribution in the early church was not merely about logistics; it reflected an understanding that administrative efficiency safeguards the unity of the body and enables ministers to focus on their core spiritual duties. This model remains relevant for modern churches that seek to balance spiritual and organizational needs.

In the Nigerian context, the demands on church leaders have grown due to the increasing size and complexity of congregations, the need for accountability in financial and material resources, and the necessity of strategic outreach in a religiously diverse society. Pastors are expected to navigate administrative challenges ranging from property management and project planning to human resource development and conflict resolution. Without adequate administrative skills, even the most anointed ministers may find their ministries hindered by inefficiency, miscommunication, and disorganization (Oduyoye, 2019).

One of the prominent figures who has demonstrated a mastery of this balance between spiritual leadership and administrative excellence isArchbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen. As a distinguished leader in the Anglican Communion in Nigeria, Archbishop Stephen’s ministry offers a clear example of how strategic administration can complement and enhance pastoral effectiveness. His tenure has been marked by growth in church membership, expansion of mission activities, and improvement in the organizational structures of the dioceses under his leadership (Ajayi, 2020). He is widely respected for his ability to inspire, delegate, and implement policies that advance the mission of the church without compromising its spiritual integrity.

Studying the life and ministry of Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen is therefore both relevant and instructive. His leadership provides valuable lessons for pastors and church administrators seeking to harmonize spiritual fervor with administrative precision. By examining his strategies, principles, and accomplishments, this study aims to highlight the essential role that church administration plays in the success of pastoral ministry, not as a distraction from spiritual duties, but as a vital support system that enables them to flourish. In doing so, it also addresses a gap in Nigerian ecclesiastical scholarship, where the contributions of prominent church leaders to administrative best practices have not been adequately documented.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Many pastors and church leaders today face the complex challenge of balancing their spiritual responsibilities with the administrative demands of managing a modern congregation. While the primary role of a pastor is to provide spiritual guidance, preach the Word, and nurture the flock, the realities of leading a contemporary church require competence in organizational management, strategic planning, and resource coordination. Unfortunately, not all ministers are adequately equipped with these skills, resulting in challenges such as poor financial management, weak organizational structures, ineffective communication, and ultimately, stagnation in church growth (Oduyoye, 2019).

Despite both biblical and historical evidence affirming the importance of effective administration in church life, many pastors still view it as secondary to preaching and spiritual duties. This misconception often leads to neglect in areas such as budgeting, ministry coordination, project management, and accountability, which in turn weakens the overall health of the church. Without strong administrative frameworks, even vibrant congregations can struggle to sustain growth, manage resources efficiently, or respond effectively to emerging needs within their communities.

The Nigerian church context presents additional administrative challenges. Rapid congregation expansion, infrastructural development, and diverse ministry activities place heavy demands on pastoral leaders. Inadequate administrative capacity in these areas can result in mismanagement of resources, conflict among church workers, and reduced effectiveness in fulfilling the church’s mission. The situation calls for a leadership approach that harmonizes spiritual authority with administrative competence, ensuring that the church functions as both a spiritual organism and an effective human organization.

Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen offers a compelling case study in addressing this challenge. His leadership style shows that administration is not a distraction from ministry but rather an enabler of it. By integrating strategic planning, resource management, and effective delegation into his ministry, Archbishop Stephen has demonstrated that sound administration can enhance, rather than diminish, spiritual impact. His achievements underscore the need for pastors to see administrative leadership as a biblical and practical necessity for sustainable ministry.

However, scholarly literature that documents and analyzes the administrative contributions of Archbishop Stephen remains limited. While his spiritual influence within the Anglican Communion and beyond is widely recognized, there has been little academic focus on how his administrative methods have contributed to his pastoral success. This gap in literature presents an opportunity for this study to explore his life and ministry, drawing lessons that can benefit current and future church leaders in Nigeria and beyond.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the relevance of church administration to successful pastoral ministry, using the life and ministry of Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen as a case study. The specific objectives are to:

1. Analyze the administrative strategies employed by Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen in his pastoral ministry.
2. Examine the relationship between effective church administration and pastoral success.
3. Identify challenges faced in implementing administrative principles in church settings.
4. Highlight lessons from Archbishop Stephen’s ministry for contemporary church leaders.

1.4 Research Questions

This study will seek answers to the following questions:

1. What administrative strategies did Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen employ in his ministry?
2. How does church administration influence the success of pastoral ministry?
3. What challenges hinder effective church administration in pastoral work?
4. What lessons can contemporary church leaders learn from Archbishop Stephen’s ministry?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This research holds great significance for church leaders, particularly those who are seeking to balance their spiritual calling with the practical demands of leading a congregation. By examining the life and ministry of Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen, this study will provide real-life examples and practical insights into how effective administrative strategies can be integrated into pastoral responsibilities. It will offer guidance on leadership planning, delegation of duties, financial stewardship, and ministry coordination, all of which are essential for maintaining a healthy and growing church. Such insights can help pastors avoid common administrative pitfalls that hinder ministry effectiveness.

For theological education, the findings of this study will be valuable for curriculum development in seminaries, Bible colleges, and other pastoral training institutions. Many theological programs focus heavily on biblical studies and homiletics but give limited attention to administrative skills that are equally necessary for ministry success. By drawing lessons from Archbishop Stephen’s administrative approach, this research will provide educational institutions with relevant case studies and practical frameworks to prepare future pastors who are spiritually grounded and administratively competent.

In the area of church growth, the study will demonstrate that effective administration is a key driver of organizational health and expansion. By understanding and applying administrative best practices, churches can better manage resources, streamline operations, and ensure that all ministries work together toward a common vision. This not only fosters a more organized and efficient church environment but also strengthens outreach, discipleship, and community impact. In this way, administration becomes a tool for advancing the mission of the church rather than a mere bureaucratic process.

The research will also make a notable contribution to scholarly literature in Nigerian church history and leadership studies. While the spiritual influence of Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen is widely acknowledged, there is a scarcity of academic work that examines his administrative legacy. Documenting his methods, principles, and achievements will fill an existing gap in the literature and provide future researchers, historians, and church administrators with a credible resource for understanding the role of administration in pastoral ministry.

Furthermore, this study will be significant for policy-making and leadership development within church organizations. The documented findings can serve as a reference for diocesan and denominational bodies in developing leadership training programs, setting administrative policies, and establishing structures that enhance both spiritual and operational effectiveness. Lessons learned from Archbishop Stephen’s ministry can inspire reforms that strengthen governance, accountability, and organizational sustainability in the church.

Lastly, for the wider Christian community, the research underscores the biblical truth that effective stewardship of human and material resources is a spiritual responsibility. It will challenge the misconception that administration is unspiritual and emphasize that, when aligned with God’s mission, it becomes a ministry in itself. By showing how Archbishop Stephen’s administrative skills supported his spiritual mission, the study will inspire pastors, church workers, and lay leaders to embrace administration as a means of faithfully advancing the Kingdom of God.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the relevance of church administration to successful pastoral ministry, with particular emphasis on the life, leadership style, and administrative strategies of Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen. The geographical scope is limited to the Anglican Communion in Nigeria, but the findings may have wider applications in other denominations.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

Possible limitations include limited availability of primary data on Archbishop Stephen’s personal administrative records, reliance on interviews and secondary literature, and the challenge of separating his spiritual leadership from administrative actions, as both are intertwined in pastoral ministry.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Church Administration: Church administration refers to the systematic management of human, financial, and material resources within the church to ensure the effective accomplishment of both spiritual and organizational goals. It involves planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating the various ministries and activities of the church in a way that aligns with its mission and vision. This includes managing church finances responsibly, coordinating volunteers and staff, maintaining church facilities, and ensuring that all ministries work harmoniously toward the common goal of advancing the Gospel. In essence, church administration serves as the structural framework that supports the spiritual life of the congregation by ensuring order, efficiency, and accountability in all areas of church operation.

Pastoral Ministry: Pastoral ministry is the spiritual leadership, care, and guidance that a pastor provides to a congregation. It encompasses preaching and teaching the Word of God, providing pastoral counseling, leading worship services, visiting members, and offering guidance in times of crisis. It also involves nurturing spiritual growth, fostering discipleship, and equipping members for service in the body of Christ. Pastoral ministry is rooted in the biblical model of shepherding, where the pastor serves as a spiritual guide, protector, and encourager of the flock. While its primary focus is spiritual, effective pastoral ministry also requires engagement with administrative and organizational responsibilities to ensure the well-being of the congregation as a whole.

Successful Pastoral Ministry: Successful pastoral ministry can be understood as the fulfillment of both the spiritual and organizational objectives of church leadership. Spiritually, it is reflected in the transformation of lives, the growth of discipleship, and the expansion of the church’s outreach and influence. Organizationally, it is evidenced by the effective use of resources, the development of strong leadership teams, and the implementation of structures that facilitate church growth and sustainability. A successful pastoral ministry does not prioritize one aspect over the other but integrates spiritual vitality with administrative competence. This balance ensures that the church remains faithful to its mission while adapting to the challenges of a dynamic and complex society.

Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen: Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen is a distinguished Nigerian Anglican leader whose ministry provides the central focus of this study. Known for his blend of deep spirituality and exceptional administrative skills, Archbishop Stephen has served the church with vision, dedication, and innovation. His leadership within the Anglican Communion in Nigeria has been marked by significant achievements in church growth, organizational restructuring, and the expansion of mission work. He embodies the model of a pastor who understands the inseparable link between sound administration and effective ministry. Studying his life and ministry offers valuable lessons for contemporary church leaders on how to harmonize spiritual leadership with practical management for the advancement of the Gospel.