The Organizer


"Staffing the organization with the right people is key to the success of your company."

Dale E. Zand (qq)


Renald Hennig

To organize oneself, the time, the task at hand, and especially the team is necessary - and can make the difference between make it or brake it.

Jesus was very much aware of that. And that is how he acted:

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles. (77)

This is not to assume that he didn't know those who followed him. Rather, he knew them and then took a long time, a whole night, pondering whom to choose. Only after that night did he decide. It may be noted that his choice lasted a life time. But after the choice the "real" work starts, and for that training is needed. The more practical, the better.

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in your belts." (78)

He taught by example, not by precept only. And then let his team make their own experiences. His organization grew.

There was a time when his group needed to have a successor or a leadership team nominated.

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. (79) or

He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. (80)

From a small handful of disciples he continued on to build, until whole masses followed him. About those disciples, a modern personnel consultant would possibly write the following:

To: Jesus, son of Joseph

Thank you so much for providing us with CVs and short descriptions of those twelve men you have chosen for leadership positions in your endeavour. Each of them went through our series of tests. We did not only evaluate them using most advanced multi-axial computer software, but had every candidate interviewed by our psychologists and career counselors. Enclosed you'll find all twelve test profiles for your study.

As part of our service and for your support we'd like to begin with some general remarks. This is the result of our career counselling and won't be charged extra.

Our staff is of the definite opinion that most of your candidates lack qualification as to background, education and professional requirements for your kind of endeavour. There is no understanding of "team". We would therefore counsel you to continue searching for people with leadership qualities and proven experience.

Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and tends to ill-tempered outbreaks. Andrew shows absolutely no leadership potential. The brothers James and John put personal interest before company interest. Thomas is sporting a questioning attitude, with a trend to infiltrate all attempts at morale. We feel it is our duty to inform you that Matthew is part of the Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce black list. Jacob, son of Alphaeus, and also Thaddaeus sympathize with a radical organization, and both score high on the manic-depressive score table.

Despite all that, one of your candidates does show high potential. He is a capable and innovative man, socially skilled, with a business background and high level contacts. He is very motivated, ambitious, and shows responsibility. We recommend that Judas Iscariot is made your controller and your right hand.

All remaining profiles are self-explanatory.

Good luck with your new enterprise.

Jordan Management Consultancy (Source unknown)

I have found fairly little on organization as a particular leadership quality, if time management (=organization) is not considered

(see e.g. Covey (rr) ).

Nevins and Stumpf (ss) look at leadership challenges, identifying market forces, people issues and leadership competencies as the three major categories. But even here - within leadership competencies - organizational skills are not specifically mentioned, rather assumed or underlying.

It remains that Jesus took a bunch of low potentials and turned them into men that changed history. And though this is most likely not the aim of every would-be leader, still he would have to organize his team, structure it in accordance with the expected and realized growth, changing it to accomodate newly arising needs.

And, talking from personal experience, when accepting major personnel responsibility for the first time, my CEO told me that he expected me to take care of a possible successor, and to train him.

I followed his advice, and it has proven to be one of the most fulfilling experiences in my current position.


"I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." (81)


Next: The Preparator