Administration in the Small Membership Church

by John H. Tyson

For many pastors, church administration may be their least favorite area of ministry. But whether they love it or loathe it, they probably spend more time on administration than on any other single area of ministry. This book will help pastors create and maintain effective structures that will enable them to spend most of their time on what they truly value.

Describes church administration as a ministry in the small membership church.

Outlines key steps to organize and manage time, volunteers, and resources of the small membership churches including multi-point charges.

Gives practical methods for creating and maintaining viable structures for effective church management

* Helps pastors organize their church(es), so that they can focus on what gives them the most satisfaction in ministry.

* Helps pastors recruit and retain the right people for the right jobs, thereby maximizing ministry especially where resources are limited.* Gives pastors ways to sharpen their vision for local church and mission beyond the local church ministry.

Genres: Nonfiction, Church

111 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sam Hubbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative

[Kevin M · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an older bit vocational pastor starting my first appointment I found lots of good information and will be using several of the ideas.

[Slade Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

About as good as you could expect a 2007 book on church administration to be.

[John Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and quick read that is more than worth the time for anyone involved in or around church administration. The advice, tips, and strategies found in this book can be used in administrating any sized church/congregation, even though the book is specifically written for the small membership church. Indeed, most of this book can probably be used by leaders in any field.

This isn't a book on how to be a leader in a church, but Tyson often makes the point that you can't be a leader without proper administration. So essentially this book would be a great companion piece to any other book on how to be a good leader in the church or in the world.

Tyson often refers to his personal blog. Sometimes this can feel like personal, egoistic advertising, but hey, if he makes himself available for questions and comments about specific situations that can't be covered in a book, then why not appreciate the additional resource?

[Will Waller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a helpful and unhelpful guide into the world of administration in the life of a church. It certainly remains simply a primer, but what it primes it primes very well. The book begins with an extraordinarily helpful way of organizing one's life as a minister and I would recommend it not just to ministers but to all people-person jobs (sorry zookeepers). I've adopted it and I feel much better about remembering tasks and conversations. The book does a poor job of marketing itself beyond just a UMC though, as the author most clerly is a UMC pastor. Also, its a bit too introductory on matters of finance and running one's finance group. At one point the author hints that he has the key for managing finance people in the church but never reveals it or at least doesn't reveal it in any way that assists me.

It's a resource book, so enjoy if you're into this subject matter.