As a priest, I am privileged to witness and participate in the diverse spiritual gifts granted by the Holy Spirit to His church. Not all of these gifts are immediately apparent, and among them is one that is often overlooked: the gift of administration. This essential gift is mentioned in the Holy Scripture, both in 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Romans 12:8. In different versions of the Bible, such as the ESV and NIV, it is referred to as “administrating,” “guidance,” “leadership,” and even “governments.”
What makes this gift distinct is that it thrives when it is needed to organize individuals to achieve a specific goal. Indeed, it seems that God bestows the spiritual gift of administration to chosen ones particularly to streamline the operations of those with other gifts, thus ensuring the optimal functioning of His church.
The promise of God’s benevolence is that every genuine believer in Christ is given at least one spiritual gift to use in His service, as stated in 1 Corinthians 12:7. The primary purpose of these gifts is not self-aggrandizement, but to edify, strengthen, and build up the church (1 Corinthians 14:12), as well as to enhance our service to the Lord with more efficacy and potency. It is possible for some to operate in many gifts. For instance, pastors with pastoral or shepherding gifts may also possess the gift of administration. The distribution of these gifts remains the prerogative of the Holy Spirit.
Administrators have been endowed with leadership qualities. These individuals are often at the forefront when volunteers are required to organize events. Any church leadership team must have at least one person with the gift of administration to ensure smooth operations. Without such leadership, great ideas may descend into disarray. A wonderful and compassionate pastor might have his own disorganization challenges and needs a gifted administrator to handle the church’s business affairs while simultaneously tending to the emotional and spiritual needs of his flock.
Furthermore, administrators are gifted delegators. With their keen sense of discernment, they seem to intuitively know who would manage a project efficiently, and they are not hesitant about recruiting volunteers for a cause they believe in. Depending on their personality or leadership style, administrators may focus on either people or programs. Extroverted administrators flourish when working with people, appointing leadership teams, organizing volunteers, and encouraging those need a gentle push to get involved. Introverted administrators, on the other hand, may prefer to work behind the scenes, planning events, and organizing calendars for the betterment of the church. They are generally more project-oriented, whereas extroverted administrators are more relationally inclined.
However, I must acknowledge the pitfalls that persons with the gift of administration may face. For instance, pastors of megachurches, many of whom are endowed with the gift of administration, could easily fall into a competitive mindset upon witnessing their churches’ rapid growth. It’s vital that they remember that the church isn’t a for-profit business, but a ministry that relies on the Holy Spirit’s power to fulfill God’s will. While they may be tempted to adopt successful business strategies they see in other arenas, they must avoid the trap of operating in the flesh, as mentioned in Romans 8:8.
In conclusion, the spiritual gift of administration is indeed an invaluable asset to the church. As believers, we are all urged to discover and develop the gifts God has bestowed upon us. In engaging in ministries that utilize these gifts, we honor and give credit to our Lord who graciously gave them to us (Romans 12:3–8).
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