Circular Organization

People like to set up triangular power structures.  The person at the top has the ultimate authority, and extends limited authority to a few subordinates, who delegate limited authority to a few subordinates, who delegate limited authority to a few subordinates.

We do this in the church, too, especially in small groups.  Your small group has a leader, but he reports to someone else, who reports to someone who reports to the pastor...or something like that.

I don't see Jesus doing this.  Instead, Jesus organized his followers circularly.  He had his best friend, John.  John was a part of the inner three (Peter, James, and John).  They were part of the Twelve.  The Twelve were part of the Seventy (Seventy-two?).  The Seventy (two?) were a part of the believers.  The believers were part of the crowds.

What's the lesson here?  I dunno.  Maybe it's quit trying to control things.  Quit making power grabs.  Maybe it's to be Jesus-centric.  All of the above?