Acts 6:1-7 The Church Has Growing Pains

"The church was experiencing growing pains, and this was making it difficult for the apostles to minister to everybody ... The fact that the outsiders were being neglected created a situation that could have divided the church.  However, the apostles handled the problem with great wisdom and did not give Satan any foothold in the fellowship," my commentary explained.

"When a church faces a serious problem, this presents the leaders and the members with a number of opportunities.  For one thing, problems give us the opportunity to examine our ministry and discover what changes must be made ... We must regularly examine our lives and our ministries lest we start taking things for granted."

"The apostles studied the situation and concluded that they were to blame:  they were so busy serving tables that they were neglecting prayer and the ministry of the Word of God.  They had created their own problem because they were trying to do too much ... It is a matter of priorities:  the apostles were doing jobs that others could just as well.  'It is better to put 10 men to work than to try to do the work of 10 men,' D.L. Moody used to say."

"Church problems give us an opportunity to exercise our faith, not only faith in the Lord, but also faith in each other ... The church was not afraid to adjust their structure in order to make room for a growing ministry.  When structure and ministry conflict, this gives us an opportunity to trust God for the solution ... The apostles were not afraid to share their authority and ministry with others."

Father, thank You for allowing me to share in Your ministry at our church.  Show me where I'm needed most and guide me to do Your will.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford