The sun rises and sets every day. The pattern is so consistent that we build charts looking years into the future establishing the time for sunrise and sunset based on the rotation of the earth and the tilt on its axis. The North Star is so consistent in its location that it is used as a navigational reference point in the northern hemisphere. God’s created order has evidence of intelligent design from the smallest living system to the human brain and beyond to the far reaches of the universe. Since we are created in God’s image, it should come as no surprise that leaders need to apply structure and organization to their organization to be consistent and effective. Read 1 Chronicles 27:1-34.

Chapter 27 details one of the best examples of a leader using structure and organization to be effective. David’s administrative abilities shine through in this description of the careful organization of his army divisions, tribal officers and royal overseers. If a leader studied only this chapter and learned to use the principles of structure and organization used by David, they would increase their effectiveness to utilize multiple resources around a common goal. Read more »

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. Read more »

Effective leadership involves planning. Planning is generally cherished by the more naturally introverted leaders who find their energy from times of solitude and generally not-so-cherished by the naturally extroverted leaders who find their energy with people. But for leaders to become all that God intended them to be, no matter their personality, they will have to find a method of planning that allows them to live within their personality and still create carefully thought out short and long-term plans. Read Numbers 10.

Estimates say there were approximately 3 million Hebrews that left Egypt under Moses’ leadership. We know that God determined the times and directions of the Israelites’ movement. They had no way of knowing in advance whether they would camp in a particular location for a few days or for a year. Each time they set up camp, they had to do so as if they might be there for a lengthy duration, but they also had to be flexible enough to break camp at any time. If there was not a carefully thought out plan in place to add order to pack up, march out and set up all 3 million Hebrews would have lost motivation for being part of this team. To put some personal understanding to the scope of this task, just think for a moment what it takes to get your family fed, dressed and into the car to get to church on time. Read more »