It is one thing to have vision; it is quite another to communicate that vision to others to enable them to embrace and internalize it. Read 1 Kings 5:1-18.

Hiram was the king of Tyre, a neighboring nation to Israel. When he heard his old friend King David had died, he sent envoys to meet with Solomon, heir to the throne to congratulate him on his new position. Hiram’s plan was to discuss continued peaceful relations between the two nations. Solomon had more elaborate plans for their relationship. Solomon wanted to build a magnificent temple to honor God and for that he needed raw materials that were scarce in Israel but plentiful in Tyre. Establishing an expanded partnership in his first communication with Hiram would require Solomon to communicate a vision that captivated Hiram’s interest and motivated him to become involved.

God’s created order is replete with evidence of intelligent design. Even the simplest living system is more complex and subtle than the most sophisticated computer yet designed. God is the architect of structure and organization. Read 1 Kings 4:1-28.

Solomon created an organizational structure led by hand-picked chief officials and district governors. The Biblical accounts of his extensive building projects and fortifications demonstrate the organization and effectiveness of his military and administrative systems. It should come as no surprise to a leader that the God of the Bible uses structure and organization to accomplish His many purposes through leaders created in His image.

Structure and organization allows a leader to gather multiple resources and focus them on the desired outcome. Well-led organizations can accomplish far more than any individual can hope to accomplish alone.

So what kind of structure should a leader bring to an organization in order to make it function effectively? Solomon gave us one example, Moses another, but scripture doesn’t provide us with any one rock-solid system that serves as the universal ideal organizational structure. Why? Because no such structure exists! Organizational structure is not an end in itself but is designed to channel resources to meet the task and mission of the organization. To be effective a leader must allow structure and organization to change as resources and tasks ebb and flow.

No leader can ignore the impact of momentum. If you’ve got it, you and your team will be able to accomplish things you never thought possible. If you don’t, the smallest task becomes hard work and difficult. Effective leaders understand momentum, make the choice to have it, seek God’s favor and guidance, and work to develop it. Read 1 Kings 2:1-4:24.

How does a winning team keep winning? What makes it possible for an organization to keep the momentum going? How did Solomon so successfully take the reins from his father?