Do all leaders in local churches need to be gifted administrators and organizers? (My answer might surprise you)

A guest post from Chris Brauns


Proverbs 27:23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.


I assume that a fair number of young leaders read this blog.  So, this is my chance as a pastor with a fair amount of gray hair (but, for the receding hairline, I would have even more) to give practical advice to aspiring young leaders. 

The question is, “Do you have to be a gifted administrator to be a leader in a local church?”  The answer to that question is, of course, “no.” 

BUT, before you click through to the next post on your feed reader, let me quickly add this.  You do have to be organized to be a leader.  And, whether or not you are gifted administratively, you must value those who are administratively gifted and you must be committed to systems of organization, administration, and prioritization.


The administrative demands of ministry are shepherding and leading are tremendous.  Those who serve in pastoral ministry have myriad things to keep track of:

• You need to keep track of personal information about the sheep in your flock.  That is part of shepherding.  If your church is of any size at all, you won’t be able to remember everything.
• Your schedule needs to be kept current on a well organized calendar.  My wife, administrative assistant and I use Google Calendar.
• You must properly file relevant materials for teaching and preaching.
• You must follow through on commitments you have made to others.  If you are not organized, then you will fumble on the goal-line at inopportune times.
• If you aren’t organized, then you won’t prioritize work, and you will not be the best steward of your time.

How are you doing right now?  What does your desk look like?  Is it well organized?  Do you know what commitments you have made for the coming weeks?  What is next on your priority list? 

Here to read a productivity tip from my blog.