The Need for Church Management If the business world can accomplish all of its objectives through the training of managers to become responsible for the functioning of its agenda, so can the church.  It must be noted that the agenda for the business or corporate world is limited because of man's limitation.  Even with this limitation, business professionals are making impressive inroads in almost every community, and indeed in the businesses that they manage. One reason for this is that these managers of a limited scope are determined to accomplish their goals using resources that are unlimited.  Christians cannot avoid the fact that the business world sees and understands the need for managers having various skills in related business fields. Churches too, must understand and realize the need for competent managers to run the affairs of the church.  Even Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, advised Moses to provide an effective management team to assist in the administration of his leadership. His advice to Moses is recorded in Exodus 18:18 "Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou are not able to perform it thyself alone."  This advice considers the fact that management is a group effort and one person will have much difficulty in attempting to do more than he should do in any management situation.  Further, this is sufficient notification that a properly structured management team is of absolute importance to the well being of any organization. Hence, the Pastor, as manager, of the church is to manage the affairs of the church as its spiritual agenda dictates.   The advice given to Moses by his father-in-law must be fully incorporated to assure effectiveness and performance.  Jethro's call was for skillful men to be appointed as line managers, as noted in Exodus 18:21, "Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thou­sands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." It is not difficult to observe that Jethro's advice was for the appointment of these men to be spiritually qualified and adequately trained in areas of management. The men selected by Moses respected leadership and authority. They managed well and were excellent support staff to Moses." Exodus 18:26: And they judged the people at all seasons; the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves." The situation with Moses presents an awareness for the Church; It is virtually impossible to lead or become successful without properly trained personnel at all levels and positions. Let us remember that the Church is a body of baptized believers. If we are going to cater to these believers, then it is humanly necessary to be trained in the area of people orientation. This is too broad for any one individual to assume.  Writers Comments: Because of the need for the church to participate in the functions of management, Dr. Johnson has sent out a resounding call for church leaders to become involved in management associations.  This in effect, would create an opportunity for the church to enact leadership responsibility, accountability and cause its establishment to mobilize and a general business philosophy.  After all, the work of the church is the Lord's business. Management Science Institute's operating agenda is open to accept the church to its ranks.  The church will benefit from the numerous offerings that are available at MSI.  Areas such as project management, construction and training are only a few of the many opportunities available to the church.  Additionally, MSI is in a position to create a division to propagate the work of church management.
	In the next issue of Management Science Journal, Dr. Johnson will discuss "Church Management: A Group Set Aside"