CHURCH ADMINISTRATION

1. General administration

Administrative leadership with various organisations in the parish/circuit etc

Administrative structure of the parish/circuit etc

Administrative structure of his/her denomination and other denominations

Human resource administration
Financial administration

Budget

Maintenance of cashbook and ledger

Balance sheet

Petty cash

Final accounts – fixed asserts and liabilities

Church collection

Thank offering, poor relief etc.

Banks

Special projects
Administration of moveable and immoveable properties

Church furniture

Furniture in the mission house, parish hall etc.

Vehicles

Lands, deeds , surveying and plans etc.

Maintenance
Office Administration

Structure of office administration

Administration of office resources and relationships

Keeping and maintaining records – filing etc.

Letters – writing and responding

Registers – service, baptism, marriage etc.
Administrative matters with government and non governmental organisations

With the Grama sevaka

With the surrounding village or town – parking issues, usage of church premises, grounds etc.

With the other village level organisations such as funeral associations etc.

With the other religious organisations

With AGA, Pradeshiya saba, police and army etc.

With academic institutions such as schools and universities

Court cases

FOUNDATION OF PASTORAL MINISTRY

(I) INTRODUCTION

[1] The nature of the church

What is Church? -Ekklesia An Assembly

O.T.Background:-

(A)Call of Abraham

(B)Exodus from Egypt

Covenant

(a)Noah

(b)Abraham

(c)Sinai

(d)Jeremiah

(e)Jesus’ New Covenant

Idea of Remnant

12 Tribes

12 Disciples

Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God-[Ekklesia is mentioned only 2 times in the Gospels - Mtt.16.18 & 18.17]
Church is NOT a Members only club.
Church is an Institution, which exists for others.
Church is an Instrument of the Kingdom.
Church is NOT the only Vehicle for the Kingdom.

3 Metaphors about the Church

Body of Christ-Organic nature of the member to member relationship
Covenant Community-Covenant between God and Human beings
Household of God-Extended Family.

(2) The purpose of Pastoral Ministry

All who accept the call of God are Ministers.
Also God calls People for special Ministries.
Our Ministries should be understood in the context of the priesthood of all believers.
Faith community empowers People.

The meaning of the Ministry

1.) Call for DIAKONIA-Lk22.27

2.)The only religious tradition in the World in which religious officials are called Servants

3.)There are 3 ways in which Christians are Servants

(1) God - 1Cor3.5

(2)Our fellow Christions-1Cor4.1

(3) The World - 1Cor4.5

4) To build up the body of Christ-Eph.4.12

1.Unity in diversity

2.Inter dependence

3.Common dependence, Christ as Head

5) To bring all creation together, everything in heaven and earth with Christ as head. Eph.1.10

[3] The Person and the Work of the Pastor

THE CALL AND COMMITMENT

God calls People

Call of Abraham

Call of the Prophets etc

God calls for WHAT? .

* God calls a People from bondage to freedom-EXODUS

* God calls People to live in a Covenant relationship

* God calls People to be the Remnant- Salt etc.

* God calls People to Redeem the Universe. [COSMOS]

Jesus Called His disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

Church is in the World

Church is Not for itself

THE GROWTH & MATURITY

To understand ourselves

(1) What am I? Who am I? -Self examination &Self Knowledge

(2) Self image -what we are like &what other people think of us

Self hood -Begins when we are babies. Our habits, attitudes

Beliefs abilities are gradually shaped

(3) Roles & Relationships

(4) Group identity and Self image

(5) Change and Conflict

(6) The Pastor and his/her self image

Johari Window

Public	Blind
Hidden	Unknown

Who is a Mature Person?

One who is able to

(1) Be effectively in touch with the real World.

Have adequate feeling of security.
Give and take    :-Be dependent without feeling his/her

                                     Independence threatened.

                                   : -Be independent without an undue feeling

                                     of isolation
Control his/her emotions with undue strain
Show mutuality in his/her relationships; refrain from using people as a means of his/her own ends.
Be at home with his/her body.
Feel he/she is a whole person; have an adequate evaluation of himself/herself.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Always think positively

Think truthfully and clearly about your life-[Rom.12:3]
Study and believe the teachings of the scripture about your relationship with God and Jesus-[Rom.5:1&2Cor.5:21]
Try to practice a way of living which is open and honest with God, with yourself and with others.[Ps.32:1-5&Phil 3:13]
Accept the fact that even when you fail are useful.
Acknowledge your abilities and your successes before God with humble thanks.[Eph.3:20]
If you wish your ministry to be more effective, work out the objectives you wish to achieve and than desire it, and think, meditate and pray about it.

(II) THE CONTEX OF PASTORAL MINISTRY

(1) The Pluralistic Society

The Sinhala Buddhist Ethno-Religious Identity
The Tamil Hindu Ethno Cultural Identity
The Religious Identity of Muslims
Eurasians and Malays

Relationships in Sri Lankan Multi Religious, Multi Ethnic and Multi Cultural Society.

Rejection
Compromise
Tolerance
Syncretism
Symbiosis

(2) The Economic Disparities

Different Economic systems: -

1. Tribal -Totem, Exchange, Leader etc.

Feudal –landlords & Kings
Capitalism-Money ,New rich
Socialism –equality, Sharing of resources.
Open Economy-Multi National Companies, Neo Colonialism etc.

Freedom Movements

Gap between Haves & Have-nots
Tamil militant groups- L.T.T.E.& other groups
Sinhala militant groups- J.V.P.
Unemployment & Underemployment.
Frustration of the Youths due to various reasons.

Political instabilities.

The Political field since independence.
The Political evolution.
The birth of Political parties.
The westernized elite – (1948-1956)
Non-westernized social category (1956-1965)
Foreign trade
Foreign investment and foreign aids.

[III] PERSPECTIVES OF PASTORAL MINISTRY

Biblical – Leader, Shepherd, Prophet etc.
Sociological-Political leader,Community leader
Theological-Faith Community-Community of committed believers.

The “Good Shepherd” Idea in the Bible

A well –Known figure

Among many agricultural people
Sign of wealth & statues
Both in the Old & New Testaments,

Human Shepherds
God as Shepherds

In O.T.- (3 chief ways)

Relationship between God and the people of Israel.

Ps 95: 6-7, Is 40-11

Ezek 34: 11-15, Ps 23
Religion & political leaders were described as shepherds.

God appointed to care for His people.

Ex. Moses – Promised Lord Human Shepherds – Kings, Priests & prophets.

Ref. Prov. 2: 6-8 & Ps 119: 105
In the times of trouble & defeat prophets   like Isaiah &

        Jeremiah used the ‘Good Shepherd’ yet in another way.

        One True Shepherd (Ezek 4: 23)



          Jer. 23: 5

Is 40: 11

Mica 5: 2-4



In NT ( 2 Chief ways)

I am the Good Shepherd etc.

Jn 10: 1-16

Heb 13 : 20
OT idea is given in the NT ‘the flock of God’ command

To Peter.

Matt 16: 18, Jn 21 : 15-26

Paul – Acts 20 – 28

Peter – being examples to the flock.

1 Pet 5 : 2&3

THE WORK OF THE SHEPHERD

Picture Language..

He guides his flock (Is 40:11)
He feeds the sheep (Ps 23)
He guards his flock (1 Sam 17: 34)
He searches for any sheep that stays & get lost (Matt 18: 12
He knows & name each sheep (Jn 10: 1-4)
He carefully tends any sheep that are sick or weekly. (Gen. 33: 13)

EARLY CHURCH MODEL WAS ON THIS PATTERN.

Feeding – with the truth
Protecting – error & false teaching
Caring – for the needy & distressed.
Encouraging – Half hearted in the faith.
Order & discipline
Guidance & spiritual direction.

Jn 21: 15-17, Acts 20: 28-31, 1Tess 5: 2-15, 2 Tim 4: 1-5

SUMMED UP IN THE IDEA TENDING THE FLOCK OF GOD. (1Pet 5:2)

False Prophets & worthless Shepherds

Shepherds who oppressed and exploited people.

*   Take privileges while refusing to accept their responsibilities

      Ezek: 34:2,3

*   Force and hardness- Ezek:34:4,5,&10

*   Robbers and thieves Jn .10

*    Wrong idea of leadership 1 Pet. 5:2,3.

*    False Apostles and deceitful workmen   2Cor. 11:13

PATTERN SET BY JESUS

+   He was the message 2Cor 3:1-3

+   Servant Shepherd    Lk.22:25-27 Jn.13:13-16 Mk.10:42-44



Servant means:-

Incarnation:-

Being one with people-Phil.2:7,Jn.1:14,Heb.2:14&18,Jn.2:1-11
His attitudes towards People

1.   Jesus showed a deep concern that people should live the best

      and fullest sort of life Lk.4:16-21, Matt5:17

[v] PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELLING

Not a ‘special’ ministry separated from the other aspects of the pastor’s work

Healing               - Physical and personal relationships

Sustaining           - In the time of difficulty, frustration & sorrow

Reconciling         - Challenging them to face the weakness and

                               guilt of their broken relationships and to find

                                Reconciliation and restoration.

Guiding               - to act in different situations.

What is councelling?

In the NT: -

Nouthesia-Giving advice or instruction         - Rom.15-14

                      Warning and teaching                   - Col .1 – 28

                       To rebuke, correct & straighten   -1 Thess.5-14

Paraklesei-exhort, comfort, encourage, strengthen

                        Holy Spirit as the Counsellor - to guide, comfort

                        advise and help- John 14.16,26

Parmutheomei-To cheer up and to encourage someone who

                               is discourage or sorrowful-John 11.31

                               1Thess.5.14

Antechomai - cling to or hold fast-Matt6.24

                             Hold fast to true Message-Titus 1.9

                             Holdup spiritually or emotionally someone

                             Who is weak.

COUNSELLING IN THE BIBLE

SHARING

To appoint helpers to share in the work of counslling

Ex.18.1-2

WISE COUNSELLORS IN ISRAEL

Priests, Prophets, wise men and Judges- Wise men and judges

often gathered at the city gates –Deut.25.5-10

MINISTRY OF JESUS

Samaritan woman     -Jn.4

Sinful woman           - Jn.8.1-11

Zaccheus                  - Lk.19.1-10

Simon the Pharisee - Lk.7.36-50

MINISTRY OF PAUL

Comforting                         -2Cor.1.3-11

Instructing and correcting -Acts20.31

Warning and teaching        -Col.. 1.28

TRADITIONAL OR CULTURAL COUNSELLING

Part of the traditional educational system of the

community.

Chain of authority, from the chief at the top down through various leaders and people with special responsibilities.
Wisdom and experience-Not from the textbooks
Younger persons to be obeyed to their elders.
Counselling is given as a member of a group, usually a family or clan.
Counselling often given by a group
More than jest giving advise –with some ritual action , purification or cleansing .

Counselling today

Counselling is a relationship between two or more people
Counselling is a series of direct contacts with a person.
Counselling is a changing and purposeful relationship between two people.
Counselling is an active process which joins the client and the counsellor.

DIFFERENT TYPES AND METHODS OF COUNSELLING

Clarifying counselling-Eg.(To marry this person or that person)
Educative counselling-Eg.(Try for a job or seek further training.)
Supportive counselling-Eg.(To a person who has neglected his wife and children.
Crisis Counselling -Eg.(Loss of a job)
Confronting counselling-Eg.(2 Sam.11&12-Nathan challenged David)
Preventive counselling-Eg.(Relationships between girls and boys)
Spiritual counselling –Eg.(On so called religious matters.)

POSITIVE ATTITUDES IN COUNSELLING

Acceptance-non critical, non judging &helping approach to the client.
Respect-for the client
Honesty & Sincerity-
Hope &Expectation-Lk19:110

NEGATIVE ATTITUDES IN COUNSELLING

Superiority-eg. What do you think you are doing?
Superficiality-trouble maker
Scorn or contempt-eg.What’s wrong with this fellow?
Lack of empathy-eg.How can people act like this?
Impatience-eg.I am in trouble again.
Selfishness-Why can’t people come at a better time?
Priggishness-false pride or false shame eg.What a rotten business this is ?

TO UNDERSTAND THE FEELINGS OF THE CLIENT

Importance of listening as well as talking.

Different ways of responding to the client.
Empathise with the feelings of the client.

Encourage the client to feel confidence.

[VI] PREACHING AND TEACHING

(3)TEACHING MINISTRY

Jesus’ teaching methods

1)    PARABLES-A story with one central message.

                   a)Long stories-Lk.10:30-37(Good Samaritan)

                                          -Matt20:1-16(Labo.in the Vineyard)

                   b)Short stories-Matt7:24-27(Wise & foolish Men)                                        -Lk.15:4-7    (Lost Sheep)

                   c)Picture-language-Lk.6:39(Blind leading blind)

                                              -Matt.13:33(Leaven)

2)    ALLEGORY-Every detail is important.

                    a)Jn.15:1-10-(Vine)

    Mk.12:1-10-(Wicked tenants)

     b) Matt.13: 3-9/ Mk.4: 3-9/Lk.8: 5-8. (Sower)

                Parable or allegory?

EVERYDAY LIFE-Stories and pictures from everyday world around Him

                      a)Matt.6:26&28-(Lilies of the field)

                      b) Nature-Sparrows, fox, fig trees, bread & door etc

4)    HUMOUR-People would have laughed at these sayings.

                      a)Lk.6:39-(Blind leading blind)

                      b)Matt.7:3-4(Log in your own eye)
EXAGGERATION-To put across a message very

        strongly in order to make people wake up and take notice.

                         a)Mk.10:25(Eye of a needle)

                       b)Lk.14: 26(Hate his own father, mother &etc.
PARADOX-A statement which seems to contradict itself.

                       a)Mk.9:35(First and Last)

                        b)Matt.10:39(He who finds his life will lose it..)

6)     REPETITION- Same thing is repeated.

a)Lk.14:11(Humble exalted)Also Lk.18-14

7) POETRY-Sayings in verses.

a)Matt.11:17(Piped and danced)

8) USE OF THE OT

a)Lk.7:18-23(Poor &Good news)-com.Is:35:5-6

9) EXAMPLE-By own example

a)Lk.19:1-10(Zaccheus)

10) SYMBOLIC ACTION-Performing of a symbolic action

Lk.19: 28-44(Entering into Jerusalem on a donkey.

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

INTRODUCTION

BIBLION(Gk)-Book
Main sections in the Bible-OT(39books):NT(27books)
OT.-TANHK(Hb) TA-Torah NH-Navim K-Ketuvim
TA-Law,1^st 5 books of the Bible

NH-Prophets

K -Writings

NT-Gospels: History: Epistles: Apocalypse

STUDY FOR BIBLE KNOWLEDGE

Bible study by

Chapters
Paragraphs
Verses
Book
Words
Topics

METHODOLOGY

1. Place of the Bible in Christianity -

  Jews            -Law       - Moses

           Muslims      -Koran    -Mohammed

           Christians    -JESUS   -Bible

( Christians believe in the Incarnated WORD)

          Purpose of the Bible-Salvation history(Though History,

          reports, Poetry, Letters and etc. included.)
Historical background

Circumstances of the writer
Culture and customs of the writings.
Actual historical situation

Purpose and plan of each Book
Context of the verse-What is before and after(eg.Ps.14:1)
Correct meanings of the Words in the given context.
Parallel passages & the connection to the entire BIBLE.
Message for us today.;

(4).MINISTERIAL TRAINING

DISCIPLESHIP

Who is a Disciple?

Disco(Lat)-Leaner -

Matetes(Gk)-Disciple, Pupil, Follower.

Sravaka(Sin)-One who listens at the feet of the Master.

Shishya(Sin)-One who is with the Teacher (Guru)and learns from him

Why did Jesus call His Disciples?

To become the active members of the Kingdom of God

Mk.1:15 Lk.4:18-19 Matt4:17 Jn.1:41

What is expected of a Disciple?

1. Disciples are called to CHANGE their lifestyle. This change is a FORCE. Jn.3:3-8

2. This change is a DEMAND- Force of change creates a set of demands. Mk.2:22 Lk.5:37

3. In the process of change the Disciples face CRISISES.

Mk.13:9-13 Lk.21:10-19

4 This changing force CHALLENGES the Disciples.

Jn.12:23-26 Mk.10:21-27 Matt.10:37-39

5 This change is an OPPORTUNITY to serve God and humankind in a World filled with need. Matt.9:37

6. The RESPONSE of the Disciples is a necessary aspect of this change. Lk.19:1-10

7. The OUTCOME of this change is God centered or others centered lifestyle. Jn.13:4-5

* Disciples are expected to have both the authority and humility.

* Meekness is not weakness. Mt:10-16 Jn:2:13-17

[VII] THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY RELATIONS

1.WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP

FELLOWSHIP-KOINONIA IN THE NT

Early Church kept every thing in common.-Acts.2:4
In the koinonia early Church looked after each other(Diakonia)-Specially those who were in need.-Acts.6
Early Church believed that ,that they had their fellowship

into the Body of Christ.-1Cor.10:16
They shared their fellowship in the Good news of Jesus

Christ-Philp.1:5
They experienced their fellowship in the suffering of Jesus Christ- Philp.3:10

[VIII] THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

Pattern set by the early Church: -

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas-Acts 1:26
They had everything in common. –Acts2:44
The choosing of the 7 Deacons       -Acts 7

[One Deacon a gentile Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.]

4.      Acceptance of Cornelius the Gentile. -Acts 10

5.      Peter’s miraculous escape from prison.-(the bearing of

         each others suffering)                        -Acts 12

6.      Paul was accepted to Church through Ananias

(Ministry of Reconciliation)              -Acts9: 13

7.      The Council at Jerusalem                               -Acts 15:1

         (Method adopted to face a crisis)

[IX] LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPMENT, &STEWARDSHIP

Leadership styles.

TELLING STYLE-The leader decides what should be done and forces the followers to do what he or she has decided.
SELLING STYLE-The leader presents a course of action and than attempts to persuade the followers to do what the leader has decided.
TESTING STYLE-The leader presents an idea and assesses whether the followers are willing to proceed along the course of action proposed.
CONSULTING STYLE-The leader placing the responsibility for decision making and action on the followers but making himself or herself available to help them if they ask for help.
JOINING STYLE-The leader shares the responsibility for decision making and action by becoming a co-worker and colleague with the followers.