MIN-101
Pastoral Ministry & Church Administration
The practical work of shepherding: counseling basics, church structure, and ministerial ethics.
Topics: Ethics, Structure, Conflict resolution
Suggested resource: Publicly available ministerial guideline documents from AAFCJ and UPCI.
Week 1: Ministerial Ethics
Reading: 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4
Paul's qualifications for elders and deacons in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 focus overwhelmingly on character — being blameless, self-controlled, hospitable, not greedy, having a well-managed household — far more than on skill or charisma, a needed corrective in any era tempted to prize talent over integrity. Peter's charge to elders in 1 Peter 5 warns specifically against ministering “for filthy lucre” or as one who lords authority over others, calling leaders instead to be “ensamples to the flock.” Personal ethics in ministry also means clear boundaries: financial transparency, appropriate conduct in counseling relationships, and accountability to others rather than operating alone and unquestioned.
Key terms: Character qualifications, Not for filthy lucre, Being an example, Accountability and boundaries
Discussion Questions
- Which of the character qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 do you feel strongest in, and which would you want to grow in most?
- What accountability structures protect a minister from operating alone and unquestioned?
Challenge: Write down one concrete boundary or accountability practice you would put in place before ever counseling someone one-on-one.
Week 2: Basic Church Structure
Reading: Acts 6:1–7; Ephesians 4:11–12
Acts 6 shows the apostles delegating a real, needed task — food distribution — to seven appointed men, freeing the apostles for prayer and the ministry of the word, an early model for distributing leadership rather than concentrating every task in one person. Ephesians 4:11–12 lists a range of ministry functions given specifically “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,” meaning church structure exists to equip members for their own ministry, not simply to run programs. A healthy structure, whatever its specific form, should make it clear who is responsible for what and create room for members to actually use their gifts, rather than funneling everything through one bottlenecked leader.
Key terms: Acts 6 delegation, The fivefold ministry (Eph. 4:11), Equipping the saints, Avoiding bottlenecks
Discussion Questions
- Where have you seen a church structure that equipped members well, versus one that bottlenecked everything through one person?
- What tasks in a typical congregation could be delegated the way the apostles delegated in Acts 6?
Challenge: Sketch a simple structure chart for a small congregation, showing who is responsible for teaching, administration, and pastoral care.
Week 3: Conflict Resolution
Reading: Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 6:1; Philippians 4:2–3
Jesus' instruction in Matthew 18 gives a clear, escalating process for addressing conflict between believers: go privately first, then with one or two others, then to the church, only escalating when direct, private resolution fails — a model that prevents both silent resentment and public embarrassment. Galatians 6:1 sets the tone for that process: those who are spiritual should restore someone caught in a fault “in the spirit of meekness,” watching themselves so they aren't also tempted, not with self-righteous correction. Paul's specific, named appeal for two women in Philippians 4:2–3 to “be of the same mind” shows that even the apostle didn't consider relational conflict beneath his attention as a leader — resolving it was part of the ministry, not a distraction from it.
Key terms: Matthew 18 process, Spirit of meekness, Escalation only when needed, Leadership involvement in conflict
Discussion Questions
- Where have you seen the Matthew 18 process skipped, going straight to gossip or public conflict instead?
- What does Galatians 6:1's warning to 'consider thyself' add to how you'd approach correcting someone?
Challenge: Think of an unresolved conflict, past or present, and write out how the Matthew 18 process would have applied to it, step by step.
Course Exam
Five questions for review or self-testing.
Q: What do 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 focus on for elder/deacon qualifications?
Reveal Answer
Character, far more than skill or charisma.
Q: What does 1 Peter 5 warn ministers against?
Reveal Answer
Ministering 'for filthy lucre' or lording authority over others.
Q: What model did the apostles use in Acts 6 to handle a needed task?
Reveal Answer
Delegating it to seven appointed men, rather than doing everything themselves.
Q: What is Jesus' process for conflict in Matthew 18?
Reveal Answer
Go privately first, then with one or two others, then to the church — escalating only when needed.
Q: What attitude does Galatians 6:1 call for when restoring someone caught in a fault?
Reveal Answer
A spirit of meekness, watching yourself so you aren't also tempted.