READ: 1 Cor. 12:28, Rom. 12:8
The spiritual gift of administration can sometimes be overlooked or even minimized, but it is as valuable as the other gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Romans 12:8 both include the gift of administration in their list of spiritual gifts. This gift is translated as “administrations” in the NASB, “administrating” (ESV), “guidance” (NIV), “leadership” (NLT), or “governments” (KJV).
The spiritual gift of administration is the Spirit-empowered ability to develop, organize, coordinate, articulate, and execute the ministries of the church so that God-given goals of the Body of Christ are accomplished efficiently and in an orderly manner. This gift is the bridge between vision and execution, helping to ensure that ministries function efficiently.
In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul mentions "administrating" in his primary list of spiritual gifts. The Greek word used here is kybernēsis (to steer; directorship; pilotage), which refers to the captain steering a ship. So, administrators are leaders. They excel at steering the ship, being at the helm, and leading people. They have a Spirit-given desire and ability to administer and lead in various works and ministries of the church, keeping a straight course toward common vision and goals.
Romans 12:8 gives Paul's secondary list of gifts; the gift of leading (or ruling) is mentioned. This is often tied to administration as it describes the ability given to guide, organize, and direct the Body of Christ with diligence.
We have numerous Biblical examples of people who exhibited the gift of administration. When Joseph organized the food storage and distribution to save Egypt, the surrounding nations, and his family during the seven-year famine, he was using an administration gift. (Gen. 41) Nehemiah is another example of the administration gift in use when he organized the Jewish people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 3-6) In Acts 6, we see the apostles organizing the church by delegating seven men for the daily distribution of food. Deborah exhibited executive strategy as she served Israel in the 12th century B.C. as a prophet, military leader, and judge, guiding her nation out of oppression and into forty years of peace. People would come to her for wisdom and to settle disputes. (Judges 4 & 5)
Some of the qualities we recognize in those with an administration gift:
- Clear organizational structures.
- Strong oversight.
- Detailed record keeping.
- Strategic resource use.
- Accountability systems.
- Coordinated ministry efforts.
- Delegation and empowering others.
- Strategic vision.
- Problem-solving & clarity
- Crisis Management
The gift of administration is both a leadership and a serving gift; serving others and leading towards execution of vision and goals. It can also be considered a “team gift” because it is called upon to lead and coordinate people to accomplish a goal, to help organize those with other gifts, and keep the church functioning efficiently, always serving with a foundation of love as the motivation rather than task completion.