| This article is complete as a first draft, but remains a work in progress. We desire to expand the Biblical references including the supporting arguments for the family. We want to vastly clarify our conclusions and applications. |
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| Hierarchical structures are present in most organizations. Smaller organizations may have only two levels, while larger ones may have a vast number of levels. These structures are used as a method of communications and as the lines of authority. |
| We assert that the ideal model, and the Lord’s preference, is a family hierarchy and not the organizational hierarchy as suggested by Jethro. We also assert that empirical and Biblical evidence suggests that the organizational hierarchy is a frequent source of inefficiency, abuse, and oppression. The family hierarchy is not immune to difficulties, but vastly superior for family members, those that they serve, and the nation as well. |
| Hierarchy Defined |
| A hierarchy exists when an individual has a responsibility to a small group. The responsibility can be for communications or an authority to command. For example John may be responsible to call ten people when Jane delivers her baby, or Jack may direct ten people with brooms in sweeping a building. |
| Hierarchies can be made of groups of groups and be layered or ranked. One person may be directly responsible to ten and each of those ten can be responsible to another ten. Expanding our earlier examples, John may call ten people and each of those ten may call another ten. Each party is responsible to call only ten people, but 110 people are informed by John. Jack may be directing ten people who are team leads and have responsibility for one story of a ten story building and a staff of ten. Thus Jack is in charge of 110 people and the whole building, but directly interfaces with only ten team leads in charge of their designated floor. |
| Family Hierarchy |
| Family hierarchy is based on father, mother, and children. It can be applied in various subsets, such as male or female only, age range, proximity, and so on. The layering can be generation, age range, location, or other forms. |
| A family hierarchy frequently mentioned in the Bible is Abraham’s. From Abraham, Isaac and Jacob we have the tribes of Israel. The Lord used this family tree to command Moses in managing a crowd of approximately two million people as they wandered in the desert. |
| Organizational Hierarchy |
| Organizations will use hierarchies that are suitable for their structure. An army may have many levels or ranks to define authority in the hierarchy. A business may have levels defined by functional groups, locations, time shifts, and so forth. |
