Growing Pains!
Anyone in whose been a part of something that grows understands that growth has it's challenges! We all want to see things grow...after all it's a sign of success! But typically we don't understand that when things grow and get bigger, there are challenges and difficulties that arise that need to be addressed or the thing could die! That's what we see here in Acts 6...the church is growing. Not just growing, but the "number of the disciples was multiplying!" In the church, multiplication is to be a part of! In my old church, Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale, we experienced this kind of growth. Every week hundreds of people who were added to the Kingdom of God with hundreds more being baptized, through the preaching of the Word of God! It was amazing! Not just additions to the church, but multiplication!
That is what was happening here, but on an even grander scale! But again, growth is not without challenges. We see in the second half of verse 1 that there arose a complaint in the church that some of the widows were not being adequately helped! New growth, new set of challenges! The numbers were growing, but some people's needs were falling through the cracks. Yes, growth is exciting, but not without it's own set of challenges. So, what do the apostles do? What's the solution? V.2, "So the 12 summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It's not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." So first, the 12 apostles got the whole church together for a "family meeting". Second, they defined their roles. They said that their role in the church was the Word of God and prayer, and NOT to get distracted by the practical needs. Third, they initiate new roles/positions in the church to meet the growing needs among them...we call them deacons (servants). Forth, they give qualifications for these new positions (which are surprisingly "spiritual"). V.5, "This saying pleased the whole multitude." So, the challenge is met head on, the problem is addressed and resolved! What wisdom that God gave to the apostles to effectively deal with and handle this growing pain! And, what wisdom it gives to us who are a part of church leadership today! Growth is good and we pray that it will come, but when it does, it will bring challenges and problems...namely, peoples need going unmet! What we will do and how we will handle it will affect whether or not the church will continue to grow (multiply). After all, if the existing people aren't properly cared for, then they will leave and the ministry will begin to die.
Thankfully God has given us a pattern, a model or example to follow. When faced with the challenges of new growth here is what we are to do: 1) Address the problem head on...don't push it aside and think that it will take care of itself. 2) Call all of the people together for a "family meeting" to show that you care about the complaint, and to share the solution. 3) Clearly define your role to the people (what God has called you to do). 4) Give the people your solution to the problem (delegation to meet the needs of multiplication) 5) Challenge them to step up and meet the needs (either in choosing people, or in being the person) 6) Give them clear description of your expectations of these new roles or positions (the need is spiritual people)
Lord, help me to apply this wisdom to my own areas of ministry. Who am i to think that there is a better way to handle the growing needs of a growing ministry! Give us the strength and faith to trust you according to your word. Be glorified in our church and let us not hinder your work due to handling growing pains unbiblically.
That is what was happening here, but on an even grander scale! But again, growth is not without challenges. We see in the second half of verse 1 that there arose a complaint in the church that some of the widows were not being adequately helped! New growth, new set of challenges! The numbers were growing, but some people's needs were falling through the cracks. Yes, growth is exciting, but not without it's own set of challenges. So, what do the apostles do? What's the solution? V.2, "So the 12 summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It's not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." So first, the 12 apostles got the whole church together for a "family meeting". Second, they defined their roles. They said that their role in the church was the Word of God and prayer, and NOT to get distracted by the practical needs. Third, they initiate new roles/positions in the church to meet the growing needs among them...we call them deacons (servants). Forth, they give qualifications for these new positions (which are surprisingly "spiritual"). V.5, "This saying pleased the whole multitude." So, the challenge is met head on, the problem is addressed and resolved! What wisdom that God gave to the apostles to effectively deal with and handle this growing pain! And, what wisdom it gives to us who are a part of church leadership today! Growth is good and we pray that it will come, but when it does, it will bring challenges and problems...namely, peoples need going unmet! What we will do and how we will handle it will affect whether or not the church will continue to grow (multiply). After all, if the existing people aren't properly cared for, then they will leave and the ministry will begin to die.
Thankfully God has given us a pattern, a model or example to follow. When faced with the challenges of new growth here is what we are to do: 1) Address the problem head on...don't push it aside and think that it will take care of itself. 2) Call all of the people together for a "family meeting" to show that you care about the complaint, and to share the solution. 3) Clearly define your role to the people (what God has called you to do). 4) Give the people your solution to the problem (delegation to meet the needs of multiplication) 5) Challenge them to step up and meet the needs (either in choosing people, or in being the person) 6) Give them clear description of your expectations of these new roles or positions (the need is spiritual people)
Lord, help me to apply this wisdom to my own areas of ministry. Who am i to think that there is a better way to handle the growing needs of a growing ministry! Give us the strength and faith to trust you according to your word. Be glorified in our church and let us not hinder your work due to handling growing pains unbiblically.
