When it comes to organization within the church or ministry, we can take polar extremes. On one side, we may find ourselves overly protective of the organization we put in place to ensure smooth running programs and events. Or, on the other end, we may fight against the need for any kind of organization in the church as it may appear worldly or business-like. God’s Word gives us the perspective we need to properly approach organizational efforts and the power to keep that perspective.
The Perspective Leaders Need About Organization
Ephesians 6:11-12 speaks of the devil’s schemes.
If he can get us to believe that we must protect the organization we put in place at any cost, our priorities become skewed. Programs take on a greater importance than people. We then find ourselves upset with those who oppose it or fail to do their part.
If we believe the lies of the enemy that organization doesn’t matter, then we’ll neglect God’s design for the Church to function like a body (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:12-27). Even our human bodies need a degree of organization to properly function.
Either way, we fall for the devil’s schemes to fight the wrong battles. Instead, we must remember that people aren’t our opposition, which includes people within the church as well as the world. — “… our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:11-12)
We aren’t fighting against people’s resistance to our leadership efforts but rather the spiritual forces seeking to divide and destroy.
It’s not about fighting against the ways of the world but living according to God’s design and intent for the Church — putting more attention on what we’re for than what we’re against.
The Power to Keep Perspective in Our Organizational Efforts
Thankfully God doesn’t leave us on our own to maintain the right perspective. The reminder about the true source of opposition is sandwiched between God’s solution — His power.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Eph. 6:10-11) “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Eph. 6:13)
We must gird ourselves with all His might so we stand firm as the Church He designed us to be.
For More on Spiritual Battles, Go To: Resources on Divine Weapons for Spiritual Warfare
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