Some will decry organizational efforts in the church due to our freedom in Christ. Yet, a lack of organizational structure causes us to appear to be merely floundering around with everyone doing what seems right in their own eyes. However, likening the Church to a Body suggests the need for organization in order to properly function as a coordinated whole. And, so does our freedom in Christ provide parameters within which we should function, and hence a degree of organization to keep a diverse group of people living in accordance with that freedom.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:13-14)
Why Our Freedom in Christ Calls for a Level of Organization within the Church
Galatians 5:13-14 affirms the freedom we have in Christ but also puts qualification on how we exercise it. It begins with what we are not to do: “do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh.”
Freedom in Christ is not about everybody living for themselves. It does not translate into self-centered, self-indulging behavior.
Freedom in Christ does not mean it’s all about me and what I want. It does not translate into entitlement.
Our sinful human nature will want to take us in those directions which is not acceptable behavior for individual followers of Jesus, albeit a group of Christ followers (Eph. 4:1; Col. 1:10). Christ-like organization within the Church puts parameters on the way we function so we have some sort of structure to work for the good of everyone.
In addition to what you read here, the Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide includes three parameters in organization put in place because of our freedom in Christ.
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