The Church Administration Workshop offers church leaders a comprehensive framework for leading with integrity, transparency, and purpose in today’s complex ministry environments. Far from being merely operational, administration is explored as a vital form of ministry—one that builds trust, supports mission, and strengthens the church’s witness in the world.
Across five modules, learners engage readings, real-world case studies, and practical exercises that address key areas of church leadership, including organizational trust-building, financial stewardship, ethical governance, community engagement, digital ministry integration, and proactive crisis management.
Each assignment builds toward the creation of an Administration Action Plan tailored to your congregation’s unique context. Along the way, you will develop leadership skills that help you manage resources transparently, foster meaningful relationships, embrace digital tools responsibly, uphold high ethical standards, and anticipate organizational challenges.
By the end of the workshop, you will be equipped with concrete strategies and actionable tools to lead confidently, strengthen institutional credibility, and position your church as a trusted and transformative presence in its community.
In this workshop, you will learn how to approach church administration as a form of ministry grounded in trust, transparency, and mission. You will develop practical skills for building organizational health, stewarding financial resources ethically, and creating systems that support accountability and collaboration.
You’ll explore how administrative practices shape congregational culture, strengthen community relationships, and advance social impact. You will gain tools for engaging your local context thoughtfully, integrating digital platforms responsibly, and communicating clearly with stakeholders.
Throughout the workshop, you’ll apply these concepts through real-world case studies and hands-on exercises, culminating in an Administration Action Plan tailored to your congregation. By the end, you’ll be equipped to lead with integrity, manage resources wisely, anticipate challenges, and position your church as a trusted and vital presence in its community.
Dr. Teresa Cintrón is a strategic leader, educator, and researcher with a passion for leveraging innovation and partnerships to advance mission-driven organizations. She currently serves as Senior Director of Business Development at Social Strategic Development (SSD). She is also a member of the Board of Directors and the Academic Committee at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC).
Her professional experience spans international business, financial management, fundraising, and strategic planning for NGOs and higher education institutions. Dr. Cintrón has successfully established and managed operations across the Caribbean, South America, and Mexico, building impactful partnerships and securing resources from a wide array of public and private sector donors.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she earned an MBA in International Business (University of Puerto Rico), specialized training in Entrepreneurship (University of Pennsylvania), and a PhD in Strategic Innovation and Intelligence Management (Swiss School of Business Research). Her research focuses on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, EdTech, and social innovation, exploring how human-centered, ethically guided technologies can enhance organizational scalability and social impact.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Cintrón served as a professor of Entrepreneurship at the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico and also taught for the Administración para el Adiestramiento de Futuros Empresarios y Trabajadores (AAFET). She continues to offer workshops in grant writing, digital transformation, and strategic business development, empowering future leaders to navigate complex global challenges with creativity, adaptability, and measurable impact.
M1 – Organizational Health and Trust-Building
This module lays the foundation for effective church leadership by focusing on trust, transparency, and collaboration. Learners explore how healthy organizational cultures emerge and why integrity is essential for sustainable ministry. Administration is reframed not as paperwork, but as a powerful tool for cultivating belonging, accountability, and shared purpose within congregations and communities.
M2 – Financial Stewardship
Building on organizational trust, this module explores financial stewardship as both a practical responsibility and theological commitment. Learners examine transparent budgeting, ethical financial practices, and accountability structures, with particular attention to ELCA values. Participants develop tools to align financial systems with mission while strengthening confidence among congregants and stakeholders.
M3 – Community Engagement
This module turns attention outward, inviting leaders to view their congregations as anchor institutions rooted in partnership and public witness. Learners explore how sound administration supports meaningful community engagement, sustainable collaborations, and faithful responses to local needs. Emphasis is placed on aligning outreach with theological commitments and ELCA Social Statements.
M4 – Digital Ministry Integration & Action Planning
The final module focuses on integrating digital tools to enhance ministry, communication, and administrative efficiency while safeguarding privacy and data. Learners synthesize insights from previous modules as they complete their Administration Action Plan, creating a practical roadmap for implementation in their congregation.
