Introduction – A church administrator or manager’s role is perfect for someone who wants to work in a religious environment and at the same time not to leave their business profession. Here, let’s know about the Church Manager Job.
But if you are stepping towards being a church manager, then you should first prepare yourself with some research and preparations regarding the role of a church manager’s position. In one sentence, the church manager is the hand and brain of the church administration.
Without further discussions, let us directly look into the aspects of being a church manager.
The Church manager
A church manager handles the daily operations of the church and the business side of the church. A church manager oversees the administration and facilities of a church and can work on fulfilling the shortcomings. A church manager or administrator handles the hiring and firing of the church staff and directs the staff to perform certain tasks.
What does a church manager do?
A church manager supervises the church staff, manages the schedule, effectively manages the finances so that all other church tasks can run smoothly.
These are some of the responsibilities of a church manager:
- Preparing budgets for various programs and other essential requirements.
- Supervising the church schedule and preparing for its successful completion.
- Keeping a record of the expenditures of the church and various donations received.
- Handling church security operations and handling the appointment of new staff and volunteers.
- Taking care of publications of various news bulletins and brochures etc.
- Maintainance of office records and essentials.
- Preparing for various meetings with staff or other individuals.
- Preparing for various church events like funerals, weddings, special days, etc.
Skills and qualifications of a church manager
One must be educated enough to perform various duties of a church manager. Some churches may ask for additional certificates and courses also. A church manager should have particular skills too so that it helps them in performing effectively.
First, look at the qualifications of a church manager.
An associate’s degree in a field related to finance. The church asks its manager to possess prior work experience of at least 2 years.
Other skills of a church manager/administrator
Strong communication skills – church managers are one of the leading roles in the church, and they come across many people, so it becomes necessary for managers to have the ability to talk in a way people understand and appreciate their work.
Excellent computer skills – church managers have to perform various recordkeeping and maintaining tasks, for which having good knowledge of the computer becomes essential.
Good problem solving and management skills – church managers handle staff, and they have to prepare for emergencies, so having problem-solving abilities helps with easing the task.
Keeping confidential information safe – a church manager’s role is a leading role within the church, so they are expected to remain thoughtful of their words and deeds.
Co-ordination skills – to manage various church tasks, church managers interact with other staff members and co-ordinate with them to perform daily tasks. Sometimes church managers also communicate and coordinate with people outside the church such as doners and people having an appointment for weddings or funerals.
Salaries of church manager
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics classifies church managers as secretaries and administrative assistants, and it suggests their average annual salary to be $37,870. While some church managers may earn as high as $62,870 and as low as $23,650. The salaries vary depending on the church, experience of the person, abilities, and qualifications of the person.
This job opportunity for this role is expected to decrease by 7% by 2026. The probable reason for this fall in opportunities for church administrators is the effect of technology because of which people and businesses perform office work on their own.
How to find a job as a church manager?
After you are clear about being a church administrator and have researched the educational qualifications of the church administrator. It is time to proceed further and apply. To become a church manager, the first thing is having completed the minimum educational requirement and skills of a church manager.
After completing the above steps, one should go for researching for job opportunities. Searching online and by visiting in person also helps. For online job searching one can visit websites like Indeed, SimplyHired, Glassdoor, Monster, and CareerBuilder are helpful.
Or simply by visiting the church and inquiring about the position of church administration. One who has no prior experience can also try for internships or do part-time jobs. Doing an internship and part-time work adds value to your qualifications and resume and sets you apart from others.
One can also directly send a resume and a cover letter to the respective church where they want to work.
Some helpful resources to prepare for the church manager’s position.
If you have decided to become a church administrator, then you should look at the suggestions given below. These courses and books provide one with extra knowledge on the subject and build the confidence of getting one more step closer to their career.
The Church Network – TCN provides various courses on church administration. The church network is an NGO, and its website provides various educational courses on church administration. One can study these courses and understand the nature of work in churches and gain other important skills required to work in churches.
Church Administration: Creating Efficiency for Effective Ministry – one should read this book before working as a church administrator as this book explains the basic difference between other organizations and church administration.
Smart church management – this book is good with lessons on money management, budgeting, public relations, and employee management. One can use it as a guide during or before making a career in the field.
Tips for a being successful church manager:
It’s not easy to manage church administration and handle so many duties, but noticing and applying some tips can help a church manager in their work. By following these tips, one can feel a little relieved and focus on making their work tenure the best experience for themselves and others.
An effective church management software – determining your requirement from the software, like accepting the donation, fundraising software can help you with that. It can provide congregants a chance to donate from their ease; from anywhere and any amount and also church staff will get the data about the number of people who donated etc.
Similarly, other budgeting tasks and messaging tasks can also get completed through some software.
Preparing a streamlined process of welcoming new members – working with the management staff to ensure a smooth welcoming process to welcome new church members. One can do things like keeping welcome messages and emails and gifts ready etc.
Using Text-to-tithe tools– this can replace offering plates, as sometimes congregates forget to bring cash with them. This tool can help them donate with their phones.
Email donations are another good option for donations – emails can lessen the hassle of fundraising and by directly messaging church members and community members asking for donations. It helps both sides, on the members’ side they get a link that directs them for depositing donations, and for church staff they can easily spread the words about fundraising.
Use fundraising thermometer– fundraising thermometers can creatively display the church’s fundraising goals and some members may get motivated to contribute more to help the church reach that goal.
Break monthly church goals into daily or weekly goals – splitting larger goals into smaller ones lessen the pressure without affecting the performance.
Prepare an effective church management budget– the budget should contain expected expenditure for every task, including an emergency fund. The work doesn’t end here, one has to ensure that the budget is implemented properly.
Successful planning of events – to host successful events one first needs to brainstorm about many things like the aim of the event, guests list, and budget, etc.
Keeping a check on church’s communications strategies – regularly updating church’s social media, email, and other information sites to ensure connectivity with congregants and church members. Keeping track of the church’s other publications and their distribution.
Appreciating your staff is necessary – appreciation and gratitude offering not only boost the performance of your staff but help in building better professional relations. Staff will perform better when they get an appreciation for their efforts.
Conclusion
The article provided you introduced you to different aspects of being a church administrator. A church manager handles numerous church operations with the help of other church staff, and that’s why one must be skilled enough to perform all these duties efficiently.
Church managers also earn well according to the level of their service and qualities. While the management may become tiring, sometimes some technological tools can help church managers perform better.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1: What are the duties of a church manager?
A church manager supervises the daily tasks of the church, including meetings, appointing work to staff members, etc. For more details about the duties of the church manager, read the article.
Q.2: How much does a church administrator earn?
According to the data of the bureau of labor and statistics, the average annual salary of a church administrator or manager is $32,870. The salaries can vary depending on various factors.
Q.3: What is the educational qualification required to become a church manager?
An associate’s degree in any field related to business will be enough. Some churches may also ask for a specific course or certificate for the role.
