LTA Course: Extraordinary Mission through Ordinary Administration

Extraordinary Mission through Ordinary Administration: The Church’s Relationship to Laws, Neighbors, Committees, and Money

4 Saturdays: September 12 & 26 and November 7 & 14 – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

HYBRID: Both in person at the region office (1011 N. Mayfair Rd., Suite 205) and on Zoom

Cost = $100

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Stephen Hawkins – pastor, First Baptist Church of West Allis

Course Description: This course explores church administration as an act of faithful leadership, examining the four essential relationships every congregation must navigate well: (1) the legal frameworks that govern church life, (2) the neighborhood communities the church is called to serve, (3) the councils, boards, and committees responsible for sound decision-making, and (4) the financial practices that sustain and reflect the church’s integrity. When the unglamorous work of administration is done faithfully, it quietly sets the church free to do what it was always meant to do — pursue its mission with energy, focus, and joy.

WHAT are we studying? Church administration is the organized management of the structures, relationships, and resources that keep a congregation functioning — covering everything from legal compliance and community engagement to governance decisions and financial stewardship.

WHY are we studying it? Vibrant congregations don’t happen by accident — they require a healthy infrastructure beneath them to thrive. Poor administration quietly undermines even the most passionate leadership: legal missteps create crises, broken community relationships close doors, dysfunctional governance breeds conflict, and financial mismanagement destroys trust. Done well, administration is an act of faithfulness that liberates the church to focus on its calling.

HOW do we do it? Students will leave with practical tools for each of the four relationships — understanding the legal framework churches operate within, building meaningful neighborhood presence, structuring council and board decision-making for health and accountability, and implementing sound financial practices that promote transparency and generosity. This course is designed to promote confidence and competence to lead administratively.

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Stephen Hawkins, Ph.D. (Sociology), M.B.A., M.Div.

Stephen is the Pastor of the First Baptist Church of West Allis and an instructor at Bexley Seabury Seminary (Chicago). As a sociologist of religion and organizational behavior, his research focuses on promoting healthy structures within congregations. His recent works have been published in the Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, Nonprofit Management & Leadership, and Foundations (a journal of the American Baptist Historical Society).

Recommended Reading List for “Extraordinary Mission though Ordinary
Administration”
 Dean, J. (2024). Managing the ministry: A practice guide to church administration. B&H
Publishing Group.
 Powers, B. P. (Ed.). (2008). Church administration handbook. B&H Publishing Group.
 Rooted Good series, Helping churches navigate their economic future:

o “How to develop well: A guide to help churches work with a property developer”
o “How to end well: A guide to help congregations navigate endings well”
o “How to partner well: A guide to help congregation create and enhance
partnerships”
o “How to rent well”
o “How to sell well: A guide to help churches sell property well”
o “Money &mission: Helping you align money and mission”
o “What about taxes?!!! A guide for churches starting to generate revenue”

 Welch, R. H. & Dean, J. (2025). Church administration: Creating efficiency for effective
ministry (3rd edition). B&H Publishing Group.