Chapter 19 · 60 min
Organizational Lessons from the Early Church
Big idea
The early church created structure in response to real problems — complaints, distribution, disputes — without losing the mission.
Session objectives
- ◆Handle conflict as an organizational signal, not a nuisance
- ◆Add structure only where a real problem demands it
- ◆Keep stewardship transparent as you grow
Opening question
What complaint have we heard three times and not addressed?
Discussion questions
- 1.How do disputes actually get resolved here?
- 2.Which of our policies exists because of one bad experience?
- 3.Who is overlooked in how we distribute attention and resources?
- 4.What structure would solve a current recurring problem?
Group exercise
Complaint-to-structure
- 1List the recurring complaints of the past year
- 2Group them into three themes
- 3For each theme, decide: fix the process, clarify the role, or do nothing
- 4Assign one owner per decision
Commitment before next session
Resolve one long-standing complaint with a written process this month.
JOI categories addressed
Multiplication & SuccessionSpiritual Dependence
Facilitator note: open with the question, keep discussion to half the session, and end with every participant naming their commitment aloud.