Bacher and Cooper-White, Church Administration

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Robert N. Bacher and Michael L. Cooper-White. Church Administration: Programs, Process, Purpose (Theology and the Sciences). Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2007.

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LifeandLeadership.com Summary

This is a well-rounded volume on church administration. It is written for mainline denominations, but very useful for evangelical churches. The first three chapters provide the conceptual foundation for the more practical chapters to follow. This section contains one of the most theologically responsible and spiritually rich attempts at defining administration, tracing its biblical and ecclesiastical history, and rooting it deeply in a framework of “godly governance.” They distinguish between governance (leadership) and administration (management), showing how they are both distinct and interrelated, and why those in each area often have difficulty maintaining appropriate boundaries. While not all churches would use the same language as the authors, e.g. many elder-led churches do not refer their elders as “boards,’ one can quickly plug in the language of their tradition and find considerable applicability. I challenge anyone to find a more succinct and realistic yet hopeful and instructive description of the elders’ responsibilities of congregational oversight than chapter 3 of this book, “Boards: Blessed Balladeers.”

In chapter four and beyond, the authors provide sage advice on planning, budgeting, raising resources, overseeing, communication, team building, relating to external institutions, managing conflict, and navigating legal issues. Even here, the book is very theologically and spiritually informed. They constantly go back to an insight from chapter 1, that the goal of the Christian community is not to do administration well. The goal is to be faithful to God’s call or, using Paul’s language from 2 Corinthians, to rely on the extraordinary power of God – not on our abilities, administrative or otherwise. “When God’s people express that faithfulness in the world of time and space, a concern for effectiveness arises” (p. 1). For example, the chapter on budgets refers to them as “deeply theological documents,” and derives a series of benchmarks from 2 Corinthians 8-9. Unlike most church administrative manuals, the authors actually do good theology, and at the same time provide practical insight.

From the Publisher

This comprehensive guide, from two experienced and thoughtful churchmen, treats each aspect of congregational governance as a sacred calling with an overriding religious mission.

Editorial Reviews

“…an invitation to join a well-informed conversation on the sacred responsibility of leading, managing, and nurturing a faith community.” — R. Robert Cueni, President, Lexington Theological Seminary

“…creative mix of the very practical with the theoretical to produce an excellent resource for a variety of church leaders.” — Rev. Cheryl H. Wade, Associate General Secretary and Treasurer, American Baptist Churches USA

“Pastors will find both what they need to know about church administration and, why they need to know it…” – Lovett H. Weems Jr., Wesley Theological Seminary, author of Church Leadership: Vision, Team, Culture, and Integrity

“The authors provide a refreshing stream of thought for engaging the practical topic and ‘holy calling’ of administration.” — The Rev. Dr. Marion Wyvetta Bullock, Executive for Leadership Development, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

About the Authors

Robert Bacher retired in 2001 from his position as executive for administration, Office of the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Michael Cooper-White is president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Previously, he served as a parish pastor, bishop’s assistant, and was Director of Synodical Relations and Executive Assistant to the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. When not working or spending time with his family, he is apt to be flying.


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