14 Areas of Study
The Church Network’s body of knowledge focuses on fourteen areas of study. These areas help to inform both the certification and CEU programs of The Church Network. Through these areas we work to bring current focus on risk, trends, and current skills needed to lead a healthy dynamic congregation. National conference, regional events, distance learning, and chapter programs are all shaped by these areas of study.
All CEU eligible work must fall in one of these areas.
1. Personnel/Human Resource
In God’s Kingdom, we are most effective in serving God’s purposes when
we humble ourselves in order to elevate and serve others. Jesus
certainly understood the importance of managing and developing people.
When we build the lives of others and participate in the development of
their potential, also known as Human Resource Management, we are acting
as faithful stewards of our divine responsibilities.
Areas of Human Resource Management include:
Employment Law and Risk Management
Definition of Roles & Duties
Supervision
Search, Interview, Hire, Performance Reviews
Background Checks - Physical Drug Test
Termination
Compensation & Benefits
Personnel Policies & Procedures
Misconduct Issues
Contractual Agreements for Employment
Workers’ Compensation
Employee Safety (i.e. OSHA)
Unemployment Compensation
2. Staff Development
God uses people in ministry, ministry effectiveness is enhanced by the
competence and motivation of those serving, whether staff or
volunteers. To have the greatest impact, ministries must include staff
development as part of their overall strategy.
Areas of Human Staff Development include:
Team Building/Development - Mission
Improving Staff Performance
Paid and Volunteer Staff
Interpersonal Relations
Communication, Conflict Management
Supervisory Development
Accountability
Decision Making
Coaching / Mentoring Relationships
3. Congregational Leadership
Effective leadership stems from a clear set of core spiritual values and
principles, a compelling vision, a proper perspective of self, a
commitment to team building and an awareness of God’s divine nature and
presence in our interactions.
Areas of Congregational Leadership include:
Working within Organizational Structures (Boards, Councils, Committees, Teams, Task Force, Etc.)
Discernment & Development of Gifts & Talents (Gift Discovery, Interview, Training, Supervision)
Volunteer/Servant Leader Recruitment, Screening and Management
Principles of Effective Meetings
4. Theology of Stewardship
We serve a sovereign God who has divine ownership over all there is. As
such, we are merely stewards entrusted with the management of the world
around us and are therefore accountable and responsible both personally
and corporately.
Areas of the Theology of Stewardship include:
Biblical Basis
Stewardship Promotions and Follow-Up
Stewardship Education, Opportunities & Professional Boundaries
Intergenerational and Giving Methods
Planned Giving
5. Office Management
The work of ministry is not limited to just interacting with people, but
also managing a myriad of business and administrative tasks that allow
ministry to excel.
Areas of Office Management include:
Supplies & Purchasing
Efficiency – Workflow
Hospitality (telephone, etiquette, reception)
Understanding Office Culture
Security Issues
Professionalism (confidentiality, image)
Record Retention
Postal Regulations
6. Information Management
Ministries may often be responsible for collecting, managing,
preserving, storing and analyzing volumes of information and data, both
digital and physical. This information is used to provide insight,
foster relationship building, spark innovation and inform
decision-making. As such, the infrastructure and systems around the
information must allow it to be available to the right people at the
right time as well as take into account risk management.
Areas of Information Technology and Management include:
Office Technology (e-mail, voice mail, copiers, equipment
Overview of Computer Systems (hardware, software, e-mail, Internet, links)
Training & Resources & Policies of Use of Technology
Backup and security of data
Network Administration (Cross Platform Management)
Information Risk Management
Acquisitions (leasing vs. purchasing)
Web Development & Social Media & Digital Communication
7. Property Management
The church is made up of people, but people often meet in physical
structures, which require monitoring, maintenance and accountability for
their useful life and condition.
Areas of property management include:
Property Risk Management
Custodial Management (purchasing & supplies)
Maintenance
Space Utilization
Energy Conservation & LEED Certification & Green Resourcing
Security & Safety
Insurance
New Construction and Renovation
Operational Cost Analysis
Grounds and Parking
Vehicles
Bidding & Contracts
Outsourcing
8. Communication and Marketing
Effective systems of communication and marketing are critical elements
in a church’s ability to articulate its vision and core values, foster
innovation in ministry, and ultimately fulfill its mission.
Areas of Communication and Marketing include:
Public Relations
Crisis Management
Communication – internal and external
Different Practices of Marketing
Management of Multiple Forms of Communication
Evaluation of Effectiveness
Social Media and Web Presence
Branding
9. Strategic Planning
Ministries are living organisms that require focused energy and
resources to ensure that that God given mission for that ministry is
accomplished. Strategic planning in ministry identifies not only where
the church is going, the actions needed to progress, key resources
required, but also how it will know if it is successful.
Areas of Strategic Planning include:
Vision and Mission Statements
Goals and Objectives
Measurable Outcomes
Implementation
Understanding Culture and Change
Strategies for Ministry Expansion
Strategic/Long Range/Operation Planning
10. Financial Management
Proper stewardship of the finances of the church is an integral part of
executing God’s vision for that church. It is paramount that all things
are done decently and in order with integrity, diligence, internal
controls, accuracy and timeliness in order to respect the congregation,
support the fiscal stewardship of funds and bring honor and glory to
God.
Areas of Financial management include:
Church Accounting
Cash Management (fiduciary management)
Audit (Internal and External)
Investment Strategy, Policies & Procedures
Capital Improvement Funding
Financial Software
Internal Controls and Risk Management
Annual and Long Range Budgeting
Funding Options (Alternative Income)
11. Stewardship of Self
Stewardship is the commitment of self and possessions to God’s service.
Self-care is not selfishness, it is stewardship. We cannot give to
others what we do not possess ourselves.
Areas of Stewardship of Self include:
Spiritual Formation and Biblical Foundation
Professional Development
Physical & Emotional Health
Coaching/Mentoring Relationships
Support Systems & Networking
Time Management
Personal and Professional Boundaries
Stress Management
12. Legal & Tax Matters
In performing ministry with excellence, it is necessary to identify
major legal liabilities, matters of compliance and tax requirements and
issues facing today’s church.
Areas of Legal and Tax Matters include:
Legal Counsel & Lawsuits
Liability – Mandated Reporting
Copyright Laws
Incorporation
Taxes
Unrelated Business Income
Zoning
Contributions
Resources
Recent Changes/Current Issues
Child Protection Policies
Mediation and Arbitration
Legal Audits
13. Christian Perspectives & Theology of Church
The word “Church” gets its meaning from words associated with “assembly”
and “belonging to the Lord.” As church administrators, it is important
that we investigate and understand the meaning of “church”, its
traditions, its various methodologies, its representation in and impact
on the community, and the challenges it faces to reflect the diversity
of our continually changing world.
Areas of Christian Perspective and Theology of Church include:
Major Theological Traditions
Theological Methods
Theologies of Church
Ecumenical Perspectives
Cultural Perspectives and Diversity
Missional Church and Ministries
14. Theology and Ethics of Church Administration
Church Administration requires order and adherence to Christian
principles; however, it does not mean homogeneity or lack of
spontaneity. As administrators it is important to reflect on the
multi-faceted work of administration as it relates to spiritual gifting,
service, theology, mission, stewardship and leadership. Additionally,
as a member of TCN, there must be a commitment to the professional code
of ethics established by The Church Network.
Areas of Theology and Ethics of Church Administration include:
Administration as Ministry/Mission
The Church as Business
Ethics