“So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.””
Acts 6:2-4 NIV
A new development…the church was growing at a furious pace and, with the numbers came complications. The logistics had changed. The simplicity of the early days, when all the people could meet together for worship, prayer, and teaching, was over. How the church functioned in those early days in practice is not clear. Three thousand plus in one place?
However, the church had become, with its supernatural growth, an organisational problem…and with the problem…a test…either descend into chaos or grow in maturity?
How would the leaders navigate this one? Did the apostles take a leaf from Moses’ book? Moses followed Jethro’s advice…to delegate…and so did the Twelve. They approved a group of men, chosen by the people, who had a reputation for wisdom and Spirit-filled lives, to administer the day-to-day affairs of the church while they applied themselves to their God-appointed task…prayer and the ministry of the Word.
The leaders were wise. They didn’t try to run the whole show. They knew their function and their limitations. Delegation was their solution, entrusting to others responsibilities they were not required or able to carry!
“So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.””
Acts 6:2-4 NIV
So, seven more men were added to the team…the Apostles who were the spiritual overseers and guides, and the seven “deacons”…servers who took care of the practical matters as they arose.
The Holy Spirit was at the helm…and the ship sailed on! The apostles gladly followed as He led, so that peace and harmony once again reigned in this human, fallible, fragile, yet mighty army of God’s people. They were let loose on the world, armed with the Word of God and equipped with the Holy Spirit’s presence and power…to turn the topsy-turvy world right side up.
“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”
Acts 6:7 NIV
To be continued