Videos on Church Administration and other matters

Administration in the Church, Administrative Skills, Biblical Administration, Conference Administration, Discover and Serve, Equipping, Meetings, Planning, Spiritual Gifts, Time Management
Several months ago I was asked to prepare some videos for the Newfrontiers Bible School in Nigeria. I realise I never made these more widely available but think they would be of great help to many people working in church administration. They appear in my YouTube channel Feeding 5000 is no picnic….. There is associated reading with some of the talks, as shown in the side panel. Here are the links: The Gift of Administration Administration in the Bible is a spiritual gift. It is a ministry that not only helps a church to function effectively but also helps liberate leaders and members to serve and realise their potential according to their talents and spiritual gifts Event Management - Jesus style When Jesus fed the 5000 he modeled how to…
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Apostolic Administration Forum

Administrative Skills, Biblical Administration, Conference Administration, Cross-culture, Equipping, Finance, International, Newfrontiers, News, Planning, Time Management, Together on a Mission
We are approaching a major transition in the family of churches we call Newfrontiers. As we continue to grow God has shown us that we need to become a network of apostolic spheres (as in the New Testament) rather than be centred predominantly on one person, Terry Virgo, the father of Newfrontiers. In February God spoke to me that I should gather some of those who will be helping administrate these spheres in a practical way, supporting those with apostolic gifting. And so it was my joy to gather nearly 20 men and women for three days at a Forum during the week preceding the Newfrontiers Together on a Mission Conference in Brighton, which begins today, July 12th. Cross cultural exchange The atmosphere of the Forum was ‘everyone a teacher everyone…
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Planning for Ministry Pt 10 – Monitoring the Logframe

Administrative Skills, Christian ministry, Equipping, Good Practice, Planning, Poor
[caption id="attachment_1854" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Equipping Oaks of Righteousness"][/caption] So far we have seen the importance of clearly defining goals at different levels and the associated assumptions we are making if they are to be achieved. These columns are the first and fourth columns in a 4x4 matrix. To complete the matrix we must separate these two columns and insert two more. These additional columns allow us to specify how we shall monitor performance. How and What? When planning a ministry it is important to put in place 'good practice' for carrying it out. Frequently, good protocols are in place for handling such issues as client confidentiality, finances and so on. However, less attention may be given to how performance will be monitored. From time to time a qualitative assessment may…
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Planning for Ministry Pt 9 – Logframe Assumptions pt 2

Administrative Skills, Equipping, Good Practice, Planning, Poor
[caption id="attachment_1810" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Equipping Oaks of Righteousness"][/caption] Having seen the importance of recognising the assumptions we are making in planning a specific ministry we will now return to the example we have been using to illustrate how to use the Logframe, the ministry among homeless people in Brighton. We will consider some of the assumptions that must apply for success at each level. Positive Statements Assumptions should be expressed as positive statements to show how each level of the Logframe will contribute to the successful accomplishment of the next level up, particularly Outcomes > Purpose and Purpose > Goal. Assumptions relate to adverse situations that could arise or conditions that cannot be met due to external circumstances. They may or may not be included on the Logframe at the…
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Planning for Ministry Pt 8 – Logframe Assumptions pt 1

Equipping, Good Practice, Planning, Poor
[caption id="attachment_1805" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Equipping Oaks of Righteousness"][/caption] Assumptions and Risk In order to carry out specific activities and to reach certain goals there are, inevitably, assumptions that have to be made. Indeed, not only is it important to be aware of these assumptions as the one leading the ministry but any potential donor is also interested as they represent the level of risk to his money. Let me illustrate. One ministry I am aware of in a particular nation has sought to help women over several years who have been caught up in the sex industry. This included those who had been trafficked into that country from other nations under false pretences. The church concerned worked closely with the police who gave the team security as they visited brothels…
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Planning for Ministry Pt 7 – Identifying specific Goals and Activities + Kenya crisis update

Equipping, Good Practice, Kenya, Planning, Poor, Relief and Development
[caption id="attachment_1794" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Equipping Oaks of Righteousness"][/caption] Continuing to consider the Logframe as a planning tool we shall now look at the left hand column of the Logical Framework Matrix: Goals Purpose Outcomes Activities Goals In the development world the Goal may arise out of a national or sectoral policy e.g. HIV in sub Saharan Africa. However, it need not be this far-reaching. A city may have the goal ‘to halve the number of those who have multiple deprivation in the city within five years'. So the church's ministry should fit into this Goal. Purpose The Purpose, which contributes to the fulfilment of the Goal, could then be focussed, say, on those who are homeless, one category of those who are multiply deprived. This is the case in Brighton.…
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