Scripture References: Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-4
Intro: Welcome! We value equipping everyone for ministry. Continuing our Acts series, we've seen amazing supernatural works. But Acts 6 brings a relatable problem: church growth led to complaining and neglected needs (Hellenistic widows overlooked). Thank God for Acts 6! It shows even the apostle-led church faced challenges and provides a model for how to respond faithfully when growth brings growing pains.
Key Points:
- Growth Creates Challenges (v. 1): As the disciples increased, a legitimate complaint arose. Growth inevitably strains resources and systems. People or needs can get overlooked. Change is hard, and loss (of intimacy, familiarity) is real, but necessary if the family is growing. We must choose growth over stagnation.
- Acknowledge & Organize (v. 2-3a): The apostles didn't dismiss the complaint defensively. They acknowledged the problem and the need for a solution. They realized they couldn't neglect their primary calling (prayer/Word) to fix it themselves. They proposed organizing by delegating responsibility. Organization isn't unspiritual; it's loving action to ensure needs are met (like scaffolding supporting a building).
- Specialize & Delegate (v. 2, 4): The apostles specialized, refocusing on prayer and ministry of the Word. They delegated the practical task ("serve tables") to others equipped for it. Effective leadership involves knowing primary responsibilities and empowering others, which requires editing focus and trusting new leaders.
- Multiply Qualified Leaders (v. 3, 5-6): The solution involved raising up new leaders (the Seven, often seen as precursors to deacons). The qualifications weren't status, but character: "good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom." The apostles appointed and commissioned them. Multiplying godly leaders is key to handling growth. (Connects to elder qualifications in 1 Tim 3: character focus, managing family well, etc.). Leadership means fewer rights, more responsibility.
- The Positive Results (v. 7): This wise response—organizing, specializing, multiplying leaders—led to kingdom advance: "The word of God continued to increase; the number of disciples multiplied greatly... and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith." Addressing internal issues well fuels external mission.
Conclusion: Acts 6 teaches that church growth brings challenges, but godly leadership addresses them through humble acknowledgment, wise organization, strategic specialization, and multiplying character-qualified leaders. This frees senior leaders, ensures needs are met, and ultimately fuels the spread of the Gospel.
Call to Action: Respond to church growing pains with grace, not defensiveness or complaint. Support necessary organization and the raising up of new leaders. Pray for wisdom for current leaders. Recognize leadership is about responsibility, not rights. (If applicable: Consider the qualifications presented and provide feedback on the elder candidate, Jared Turner, based on biblical grounds).
*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
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