The Motivational Gift of Organization

Biblical Example: Nehemiah

DEFINITIONS:

The Spirit-given motivation and ability to understand what makes an organization function, and the special ability to plan and execute processes and procedures that accomplish the goals of the organization or ministry.

The ability to organize  and systematize information, people, and things to work efficiently.

 

Administrators . . .                  leaders, facilitators, organizers, rulers, organizers, delegators

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR:

 

1.               Ability to visualize the final results of a major undertaking (Ne. 1:2-3; 2:5).

2.               Ability to break down goals into smaller achievable tasks.

·                  Believes in delegation – breaks up the task and gives it to others.  Involves others without feeling guilty.

·                  The walls were a huge task.  In 52 days they were broken into many small groups stationed around the walls.

3.               Knows what resources are available and needed to reach a goal (Ne. 2:6-8).

·                  Had his list together for the king in chapter one.

·                  Attitude – prepares himself for the task ahead of time so when the opportunity comes, he will be ready.

4.        Tends to remove himself from distracting details in order to focus on the ultimate goal (5:1-13).

                                   Nehemiah is not building himself but removed from the distractions.

5.        Willingness to endure negative reactions from insiders and outsiders in order to reach a goal.

                                   Nehemiah addresses Sanballat, Tobia, and Geshem.

6.        Has a need for loyalty and competence from those who are being directed and served (5:1-13).

                                   Requires oaths of cooperation.

7.        Ability to know what he should and should not delegate to others (4:13).

He did not build the walls but handled the enemies and was involved in guarding the walls.

8.        Ability to inspire and encourage workers by cheerfulness, praise, approval, and challenge (2:1; 4:14).

                       The ability to slow down and encourage / exhort.

9.        Joy and fulfillment in seeing all parts come together in a finished project (Ne. 7:1-2; 8:1-18).

 

MISUSES AND WAYS THIS PERSON CAN BE MISUNDERSTOOD

1.               Viewing people as human resources rather than human beings.

Do you use your ministry to build the people or do you use the people to build the ministry?

2.               Using people to accomplish personal ambitions.

How to balance this temptation – always be a giver to others.

3.        Showing favoritism to those who show loyalty.

           Strive to be fair and impartial.

4.               Taking charge of projects which are not God’s direction for you.

They man step on the sidelines instead of getting involved in a project until they are in charge.

It is hard for the administrator to see mismanagement and inefficiency and may take charge prematurely.

5.        Delegating too much work to others.

6.        Overlooking serious character faults in valuable workers.

           Because they can be consumed in seeing the project completed, they may overlook integrity.

7.        Being unresponsive to suggestions and appeals.

           You can see a vision so much that you don’t care what others say.

8.        Fail to give proper explanation and praise to workers.

9.        May appear callous and uncaring or insensitive to the schedule of others.

10.      May appear lazy or like they are avoiding work.

11.      May care too much about the rules and regulations.

Beware of majoring on the minors and missing the point.  Remember that Jesus taught that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

The administrator may need to balance his or her “ruling” gifts with faith and mercy.  He needs to remember that many things God leads us to do will be beyond what we can plan, budget, or control.  Without faith it is impossible to please God – Hebrews 11:6.  Clothe yourself with compassion, because Jesus died for people, not projects!  Projects are as good as they help people.

TRAITS IN THE SPIRIT / FLESH                                                                                                          

1. Orderly                                    Disorganized
2. Initiative                                  Apathy
3. Responsible                             Unreliable
4. Humility                                  Pride
5. Decisive                                  Double-minded
6. Determined                             Fainthearted
7. Loyal                                       Unfaithful

1.  Remember that plans are accomplished by the Lord.  2.  People are important for who they are, not just what they do.  3.  Learn and focus on grace.  4.  Discern between your plans vs. God’s plans.  5.  Sometimes procedures and rules have to be altered in order to help people and accomplish much.