Management or Ministry: Part 2

Jesus Washing the Feet of His Disciples / Michal Splho

The word minister comes from the latin word ... you guessed it minister, the meaning of which is "servant". It's root word is actually minus or "less".


The international community tends to utilize this term more broadly: prime minister or the ministry of education, etc. Whereas in the US, we've pigeon holed the term in the religious realm.


The term management comes from the root word manus or hand. In other word, one who "manages" is defined by some type of control.


The terms have lost a bit of their original thrust. Even so, their origins represent a fundamental difference between the ideas of ministry and management. To some degree we have probably embraced the essence of one. The question is which.


In my previous post on the subject, I discussed some of the motives behind a managerial outlook on ministry.

"I'm not against learning nor would I deny that some methods are more effective than others. But are our ministries built on methods or consecration? Are we ministers of the gospel or managers with methods? And what outcomes should we really expect from each?"

Here I would like to mention a distinction in the mentality of each.


En route to Jerusalem, John and James approached Jesus with a request. (“Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”) You may know that they asked to be seated at either side of Jesus "in his glory". There is little ambiguity behind their motives: esteem and authority.


In our day, the concept of management is understood in reference to those one is over. When we adopt a management view of ministry, we tend to refer to ourselves in terms of our authority, position and those under us. This is the way we conceive of ourselves and our role.


But what does Jesus say?

"And Jesus called them to him and said to them, 'You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'” [Mark. 10:42-45]

Jesus recognized the heart behind the brothers' request, and how strong the pull of power and position could be. Do we hunger for such things as status, authority and control? Or is our ultimate posture that of a servant?


The servant views himself in light of those he serves; their needs, their well being. He views his role in reference to the needs of others.


I've come to embrace a saying that goes something like this:

We don't use our people to build the ministry, we use the ministry to build our people.

This is far easier said than done!

My main reservation with the minister-as-manager model is that it seems to unquestionably emphasize increase of influence, authority, acclaim and the like. How can we avoid the shoals Jesus spoke about if we unquestionably adopt a management mentality?


Do we find ourselves obsessed with the well-being of those around us, or with the demand to know we're important? Are things like growth and influence held to be unassailably good, or as blessings with inherent dangers? Do we ever turn down opportunities for prominence and expansion on account of the risks they represent?


I want to reiterate that management is a critical skill for nearly everyone, and that ministers are no exception. What I'm wanting to probe is mostly the way in which we view ourselves and our role.


Are we defined by our title, the prestige is affords us and the volume of people "under" us?


Or are we defined as least ones gladly serving the needs of all those we encounter?


Is management a skill we hone for serving others, or are our ministries platforms for establishing our own prominence?