Designing Church Organization

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole multitude

, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith (Acts 6:1–7).

Biblical examples of organization Moses Exodus 18:13–27.

Biblical examples of organization The Twelve Apostles Mark 3:16–19; Matthew 10:2– 4; Luke 6:14–16; and Acts 1:13.

Observe the three groups of four, headed by Simon Peter, Philip, and James the son of Alpheus, respectively. The great variety in the arrangement of the other names makes this uniformity significant. It seems clear that there are three recognized groups among the apostles.

Definition of Organization Organization is the arrangement of persons to get a job done.

good organization, include some pattern of structure, some design—an arrangement. To bring life and meaning to this arrangement, one must bring people. They have a job to do, and they begin to do it. This is their purpose in being organized. Again, the elements are an arrangement, people, and a job to do.

Principles of Church Organization 1. Reflect the church’s theology 2. Lead toward clearly defined goals 3. Be almost as simple as possible 4. Be flexible 5. Group similar jobs together 6. Match responsibility with authority 7. Establish clear guidelines 8. Keep congregational authority clear