Organization Needed But For What Purpose?

In a previous post I mentioned having heard that you can have organization without being an organism but you can’t be an organism without organization. When you look at the human body, a living organism, you find much organization that keeps it properly functioning. And, that’s the point.

The purpose of organization within living organisms is to enable them to function in ways that best facilitate what they are intended to be and do.

Purpose of Organization in the Body of Christ

So in the Church, the Body of Christ, organization should be for the purpose of helping us be people who best reflect Jesus to the world around us and meet the needs of fellow members. A living organism is interactive and responsive.

Organization must be seen as a means or a tool to facilitate or enhance life, not stifle it. For that to happen we must …

Tenaciously hold to relationships over programming.

Focus on functioning as a Body over established forms or structures.

When we do that, we will still have programs and will continue to establish forms or structures to accomplish what we have to do but that will not be our top priority. Rather, it will lead to a greater good.

Church Leaders, examine your role in providing the right kind of organization for the right reasons. You’ll find help with that in the Steering the Church Toward Body Life Leadership Guide.