Org Chart

I used to get all worked up about the Organizational Chart. I wanted to be in a significant position on the chart. I was reminded shortly after entering ministry that the Lord’s “Org Chart” is inverted.

The people of Israel were about to move out from Sinai, where they had organized themselves by the Lord’s instructions.  They were put into four sets – East, South, North and West. The Levites were in the center along with the Tabernacle, furnishings and the Ark of the Covenant. Check this out…..

³² These are the Israelites, counted according to their families. All the men in the camps, by their divisions, number 603,550. ³³ The Levites, however, were not counted along with the other Israelites, as the Lord commanded Moses.

³⁴ So the Israelites did everything the Lord commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each of them with their clan and family. (Numbers 2:32-34 NLT)

I can simply imagine being one of the families near the bottom of this organizational structure. It could be a bit frustrating.

Clay Scroggins penned a great book called “How To Lead When You’re Not In Charge”. He gives seven ways to exercise leadership when you’re not the one in charge.

1. Have the Courage to Act.
2. Keep the Work at the Center.
3. Be Values Driven, and Be Obvious About It.
4. Communicate the Big (and Little) Picture.
5. Tap Into Their Sense of Purpose.
6. Tell a Compelling and Inspiring Story.
7. Hold Steady

I think it’s easy to assume that we’re our best when we’re leading. There has to be followers for the functionality of the overall system. There also needs to be profound respect for the leaders from those who are being led.

Jesus taught the “Org Chart” that the first is last and the last is first. He taught that the leader should be the servant of all. He demonstrated this at the last supper with His disciples when He washed their feet. That was the lowest job in the household – washing the feet of the dinner guests.

I want to lead with significance by serving and loving others.  I don’t to “boss them around”. I can share vision and big picture ideas, but how I treat people personally is huge to leading others. Respect and honor to one another is huge to accomplishing great things as a total organization.  I want to lead from wherever I am and I don’t care if I get the credit or blame – I just want to lead well because I follow the Ultimate Leader – Jesus, the One and Only Son of God.

Pressing On!

Dwayne