29Oct 2009 by Nigel Ring

Biblical Administration part 2 – The Gift of Administration

Administration in the Church, Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, Leadership
1Co 12:28  And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. As we can see from this verse administration is placed alongside spiritual gifts which build up the church and demonstrate the Lord’s power and glory. It is more than being highly skilled e.g. having an MBA or a degree in economics, valuable additions though they may be to the exercise of the gift. It is a serving gift, an enabling, equipping and facilitating gift for the body of Christ. In 1 Cor 14:12 Paul tells us that we should seek the gifts of the Spirit as they edify or build up the church. They are like a tool-kit to get the job…
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02Oct 2009 by Nigel Ring

The Poor deserve the Best – part 9 – Supporting people

Administration in the Church, Christian ministry, Equipping, General, Good Practice, Leadership, Poor, Training
Workers are your most valuable resource. If they set out taking part in a ministry with great enthusiasm but then burn out through lack of support there may be serious consequences. First, and most important, they may experience short or long term damage to their physical, emotional or spiritual health. Second, you lose an effective and valuable worker. Third, this does not glorify God and is a bad testimony, discouraging others from getting involved. So how can you support them? Let's look at two more Key Indicators. 5. Pastoral support Workers are frequently in the front-line of opposition. They may see and experience much ungodliness, and also be subject to verbal or physical attack. So it is important that they have appropriate oversight, and good pastoral support and encouragement. Sharing…
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29Sep 2009 by Nigel Ring

The Poor deserve the Best – part 8 – About People

Administration in the Church, Christian ministry, Equipping, General, Good Practice, Leadership, Poor
We are continuing to look at the Key Indicators that would normally be found in a thriving and effective ministry which embraces the poor. We have looked at some of the more ‘spiritual’ Indicators and then two very practical ones. We now consider two more in the 'practical' category which are relevant for the individuals who carry out the ministry. Key Indicator 3 - Mature leadership Ministry which embraces the Poor can be very demanding. Often activists are in hostile environments, either due to the types of people being reached or to the secular context in which they are operating. Leaders of a project need to be spiritually mature both for their own health and for the sake of those they are leading. They should have their own close walk…
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15Sep 2009 by Nigel Ring

The Poor deserve the Best – part 5

Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, General, Good Practice, Leadership, Poor
We shall now consider the final three Indicators of Good Practice for ministries among the Poor which come under the category of Church and Leadership. 6. Kingdom extension to be intentional Ministry with the poor provides a fertile context for God’s rule and government to be made manifest. People who already recognise their weakness and need of help are often more receptive to the gospel than those who are surrounded with apparent material security. Ministry embracing the Poor can make a significant contribution to extending the Kingdom of God not only by demonstrating Kingdom rule as we plant churches in disadvantaged communities but also by challenging injustice, changing culture through education, demonstrating God’s provision by careful stewarding of His resources (e.g. through Farming) and so on. It is helpful to…
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11Sep 2009 by Nigel Ring

The Poor deserve the Best – part 4

Biblical Administration, Christian ministry, Equipping, General, Good Practice, Leadership, Poor
Continuing our series on Indicators of Good Practice for ministries among the Poor we shall now consider the next three under the category of Church and Leadership. 3. Hearing God Jesus did nothing ‘on his own authority .. but always ..the things that are pleasing to Him’ (Jn 8:28, 29). It is vital that we are clear that we are in the centre of God’s will for at least two reasons. First, any ministry we undertake should be the result of seeking God and walking in obedience to Him. So, there needs to be a very clear sense of leading. This needs to be specific, which leads us to the second reason. When the going gets tough (and it will!) we need to be able to have the confidence that…
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09Sep 2009 by Nigel Ring

Conference planning

Administration in the Church, Administrative Skills, Biblical Administration, Conference Administration, Equipping, General, Leadership
Every year Newfrontiers hosts a conference at the Brighton Conference Centre, UK, Together on a Mission. The conference has two streams: Christian Leadership and Mobilise. The latter is for Students and Twenties. For parts of the programme these streams are separate and for parts they meet together. This is an international conference which gathers around 4000 people from up to 50 nations, mostly from churches who are in the Newfrontiers ‘family’. Based strongly on teaching from the Bible and with an expectation of the activity of the Holy Spirit the purpose is to impart vision, train people in their leadership skills and provide a context for people to sense any commission from God about their future ministry. The conference includes times of worship and prayer. I chair the Management Team…
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