You have been
struggling with a vertical structure of leadership.  This form of leadership resembles a totem
pole.  The leaders on top must fall off
in failure or die before those beneath them can rise higher.

We are in a time of
Church history where the most effective forms of leadership will lay down this
totem pole model and become horizontal in form and function.  The totem pole advances its mission by
addition – you add to the bottom to create vertical increase. With an increase
in height this structure becomes increasingly unstable.  The horizontal model of leadership allows
each member of the team to move at different speeds based on their unique gifts
and calling.  The horizontal model is
stable because all the boots of the team are on the ground at the same time.

Apostolic structure
is not hierarchal and vertical.  In the
horizontal model apostles stand side-by-side with the other equipping
gifts.  They are first not in a position
on a totem pole, but first off the line once the leadership model is brought
down to earth. These sent ones simply move out ahead of the rest of the team to
explore new spiritual territory.

For some of you it
is time to jump off the totem pole.  The
higher you rise in this vertical model of leadership the more distant you
become from those you are trying to reach. 
As your leadership team surrenders their position on the totem pole and
chooses to lay down the vertical organizational structure, the results of this newly
adopted horizontal model will begin to multiply supernaturally releasing the
untapped potential of your team.