Authors
Samuel M. Onwuka PhD
Department of Religious Studies/Philosophy,
Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.
Grace I M Onwuka PhD
Department of Christian Education,
Crown Theological Seminary, Enugu
Abstract
Church administration has become increasingly
demanding as contemporary congregations grow in size,
organizational complexity and social diversity. Pastors
and other church leaders are expected to preach, teach,
counsel, supervise staff, manage finances, coordinate
programmes, respond to welfare needs, resolve conflicts
and provide strategic direction. These responsibilities
raise an important question: how can the church preserve
its spiritual identity while developing sound
administrative practices? This article evaluates modern
church administration through Acts 6:1–7 and proposes
the passage as a practical biblical guide for contemporary church leadership. The study adopts a
qualitative theological approach, combining exegetical
reading of Acts 6:1–7 with critical engagement with
literature on church leadership, administration, conflict
management, servant leadership and organizational
development. The study argues that the crisis concerning
the daily distribution to widows was not simply a minor
disagreement but an administrative challenge arising in a
rapidly growing and culturally diverse Christian
community. The apostles responded by listening to the
complaint, recognizing the structural problem,
consulting the congregation, establishing leadership
criteria, delegating responsibility and protecting their
primary responsibility for prayer and the ministry of the
Word. The article identifies ten administrative principles
from the passage: mission-centered leadership, attentive
listening, equity, participatory decision-making,
competence-based appointment, delegation,
accountability, conflict transformation, teamwork and
continuous evaluation. It further proposes the ACTS
administrative model—Accountability, Consultation and
Communication, Teamwork and Task Delegation, and
Spirituality and Service—as a practical framework for
today’s church. The article concludes that effective
church administration is neither a secular intrusion into
ministry nor a substitute for spiritual leadership. Rather,
when administration is shaped by biblical values,
competent structures can protect unity, strengthen
service, reduce avoidable conflict and enable the church
to fulfils its mission more faithfully.
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