1 Corinthians 12:28 CEB: “In the church, God has appointed first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, the ability to help others, leadership skills, different kinds of tongues.”

Acts 14:23 CEB: “[Paul and Barnabas] appointed elders for each church. With prayer and fasting, they committed these elders to the Lord, in whom they had placed their trust.”

The spiritual gift of administration empowers you to bring clarity, structure and direction to the shared work of ministry. It is the ability to transform vision into action — organizing people, resources and processes so that care for neighbors can be fully realized. Those with this gift can hold both the big picture and the necessary details, ensuring that ministries and acts of service are not only meaningful but also sustainable and responsive to real needs.

At its heart, administration is an act of faithful stewardship and collaboration for the church and the world. Those with this gift are passionate about creating systems and processes that honor dignity, foster inclusion and empower others to use their gifts fully. By coordinating efforts, overseeing tangible needs and removing barriers to entry, administrators help communities act with greater unity, accountability and compassion. In this way, the gift of administration becomes a powerful expression of love in action, embedding justice and care into the very way the community plans, organizes and serves.

Some ways in which the gift of administration might show up in your spiritual and communal life:

• Helping to steward budgets and finances at your church or a local nonprofit.
• Scheduling and coordinating volunteers, special events such as “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday or daily operations.
• Leading or assisting in fundraising efforts for those in your congregation who are attending large events such as the ELCA Youth Gathering.
• Developing new, in-depth policies and procedures to protect the safety of children.

Looking for more opportunities? We encourage you to reach out to your local synod. Connect, collaborate and co-create with peers through the ELCA Leadership Network.