Far too often we equate organization in the Church with that which binds us and stifles true ministry. With Jesus as the Head of the Body, however, that shouldn’t be true, for He Himself is “the resurrection and the life” (Jn. 11:25). Comparing the Church to a body suggests that we do need a degree of organization to function well, yet, organizational efforts that flow from and lead to the Head, must have a life-giving effect.
What Life-Giving Organization Looks Like
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph. 4:15-16)
These verses describe Christ as the Head of an organism that requires organization to properly function. Hence, it’s about life-giving organization and not organization merely for the sake of having smooth running programs.
This is organization …
- fueled by both truth and love.
- focused on growing more and more Christ-like.
- founded on love which Jesus described as the Greatest Commandment.
- fostered by everybody doing their part.
Hence, it is organization that doesn’t …
- subject people to extremes of rigid legalism or of a floundering hands-off approach.
- stifle the kind of growth that leads to fully devoted followers of Jesus.
- set aside love to confront issues threatening our organization.
- stave off a desire in people to get involved because it’s too binding or not going anywhere.
Leaders, think about the kind of organization you provide in your church. In any way that the second bullet list above describes it, look more to the Head of the Body for direction. When pulling on the wisdom and power of the One who is “the resurrection and the life”, organizational efforts can’t help but be life-giving.
For More, Go To: Resources about Resurrection Power
All Posts about Organization:
- Organization Following God’s Purposes?
- The Cause and Effect Factor of Organization
- The Need for Fluidity in Organization
- Living Organism Needs Organization
- Organizational Structures Help or Hinder?
- Organization Because of Freedom in Christ?
- Organization Enhancing Ministry Not Entangling It?
- Organizational Skills of Jesus
- Why Organizational Skills When We Have God?
- Spiritually Gifted to Organize
- Praying About How to Organize to Best Accomplish Goals
- Rely on the Spirit, Not Organizational Efforts
- The Gospel, the Organized Eternal Plan of God
- Organizational Efforts with a Life-Giving Effect
- The Effects of Life-Giving Organizational Efforts
- The Right Reason for Organization
- Aligning Organizational Efforts with Scripture
- Organization Reliant on the Name of the Lord
- Grace Helps Keep Organization in Check
- Leader’s Role as a Guide in Organizational Efforts
- Perspective and Power Needed for Organization