"Expanding Ministry" (Acts 6:1-10)

Introduction

We saw last week how the early church was expanding rapidly through growing house churches. Of course, an immediate need would be for good leadership. This would be to ensure that the mission could continue unhindered, that the material aid being given to the general community could be maintained, and, that those who were part of the growing number of house churches could be well nurtured. With such rapid expansion, one could imagine that there would be certain complaints about certain people who might be missing out. Action would need to be taken … to expand the leadership, so that the various necessary and existing ministries of the church could continue.

We could see this passage from Acts chapter 6 … as  a bit of a case-study in (emerging) leadership. The early church seems to have been able to effectively adjust itself to various challenges, especially to the persecution being faced. Despite their circumstances, these ‘believers’ realised just how much their society needed a vibrant faith-promoting Jesus-following church. God’s glory and the relevance of Jesus must be enhanced … in the eyes of the world. We must continue to present opportunities to respond to God’s outworking grace.

A Problem to be Solved

Overarching this need to expand leadership, would be to have the right people in the right roles. The particular situation that the early church was in (here in Acts 6), was the report that a certain group of widows described as “Hellenists” were being neglected when the food was being shared out. This would have been a fairly ‘raw’ issue … with these poor people missing out on food. This may have been because of a language barrier, as the “Hellenists” only spoke Greek and NOT Hebrew or Aramaic. Maybe there was a bias that needed to be rectified. Sometimes worldly tensions between people groups can be brought into the church. Maybe there was just too few doing too much.

Whatever the case, there needed to be a plan to sort this out, and make sure, as much as possible, everybody’s food needs were met. There would need to be good plans generally … going forward, to cover all the needs and ministry opportunities that would come up. A disruption, like the case here in verse 1 would likely upset the church’s God-given mission. Wisdom, please! The twelve disciples, with all the ‘believers’, would seek wisdom over this matter … as they gathered together to discuss the problem.

Even though … this inequity in sharing the food … was an important matter, the first disciples, referred to here as the “twelve”, knew their time limitations, and felt that the good work they were doing in sharing the Word of God (v 2 & 4) and being committed to prayer (v 4) should NOT be disrupted. The load needed to be shared – besides … this was God’s design for the church – everyone involved – everyone serving (in various capacities). So, more leaders were required – ones who would be suited to the hospitality ministry – ones who could develop this in the best and most inclusive direction.

The “twelve” brought this before everybody. You could imagine, by this time, there might have been representatives present from the many house churches … all struggling with similar growing pains. This matter was for everyone to participate in solving. Who should take the lead among you? Who should be on the hospitality team?? A matter for prayerful discernment! This is NOT to say that any one is any more important than any other, just that each has a God-given role and calling to fulfil … as part of the team’s collaboration.

Leaders needed to be selected for this particular ministry task. One wonders whether there was a shortage of candidates (as is often the case now). It is interesting that the qualities required for distributing and serving food … were NOT cookery skills or having food-handling certificates, but rather character traits. The reason for this will emerge later. The qualities required were (verse 3): being in “good standing”, and being “full of the Holy Spirit” and “wisdom”. [It does say “men” in the text, but of course that was culturally conditioned. We know how both Jesus and Paul commended women in their ministry. And many women were in fact key and leading members of these early house churches.] A further character quality was included in describing Stephen … in verse 5 – as a man “full of faith”. I think we have, here, some really good pointers toward Christian leadership. 

Firstly in “good standing” before God – meaning that we have been forgiven, set aright, and able to forgive and accept others (for who they are). Living in that grace relationship, where we are continually receiving forgiveness from God, and offering forgiveness to others. Secondly, in “good standing” in church and community i.e. well-respected, consistent, faithful, reliable (runs on the board so to speak, ‘fruitful’). Then, "full of the Holy Spirit", wise, and "full of faith". Now lest everyone resigns, or sees themselves short of this mark … we should say some other things. This is NOT our work of character-building – this is God’s work in us – this is what God is bringing to us – this is what the Lord is doing in me.

This level of character is most clearly evident … through the fruit of the Spirit operating in a person’s life – which is what God is bringing into our lives as we continue to journey with Jesus. The fruit of the Spirit, according to Paul’s teaching in Galatians chapter 5 is: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”. To be “full of the Spirit” … is to be fruitful! To be ‘wise’ (wisdom itself is listed as one of the 'gifts' of the Spirit) … is to see things differently and more clearly than normally in the world; to be ‘wise’ is to see as God sees, and to think as God thinks. To be “full of faith” is to believe that great things are possible with God! The healing of brokenness, people coming to know Jesus in good numbers, churches filling to the brim and beyond, and communities positively changing in culture - are the great things that can happen ... seen by those who are "full of faith"! Stephen, and we too, need to be “full of faith” if we are to tackle the storms of life (with courage) and come through to the other side.

The possibility of Christian leadership begins when we simply and humbly ‘repent’, accept Jesus’ mercy, and begin on the journey of salvation … by following Jesus through life. We simply open ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s filling, and be obedient in our discipleship and lifestyle – and from here emerges fruit, giftings, new understanding and wisdom, and the sort of faith that cannot be denied nor diminished! It is often, only as we tentatively put up our hand for responsibility, that our preparation and readiness will be noted. I’m sure that the seven men elected that day back then, were NOT entirely convinced that they met the high criteria put forward, but they were chosen nonetheless … I’m sure … very prayerfully and carefully.

What was seen by others, was the character qualities that God was bringing out of them. And so, to the first twelve disciples (minus Judas plus Matthias – 1:26), were added Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus (v 5). We don’t hear anything more about the latter five of this group – but one could assume they just quietly go about their particular ministry calling. Yet the seriousness of their responsibilities were noted, as the apostles (another name and role for the original “twelve”), prayed a blessing over them.

Great Outcomes

The ‘seven’ stood together with the “twelve” … for their blessing – as they were a team … not independent individuals, but rather a united front! The Holy Spirit brings diversity … into unity of faith and action. We should again hear what happens when good ministry abounds – read verse 7. Here again is a serious impact within the community, such that even those who were previously immovable opponents … were coming to faith. Don’t you get excited about that! Good ministries around the Word, prayer, and service to others … brings growth in God’s Kingdom.

But I extended the verses we read for a reason. What do we notice here (v 8 & 10)?? Stephen didn’t stay within the hospitality ministry for too long. He pretty quickly branched out! Once he put his hand up, the Holy Spirit acted mightily in him. Gracefully and obediently serving tables one day – capturing many souls for Jesus the next! Sometimes someone needs to be encouraged into a small role … before they are able to discover their bigger role. Sometimes people’s giftedness is very apparent, other times it emerges gradually – maybe through a little experimentation. Yet, ‘spiritual gifts’ only grow … as they are used in the ‘body’ for the common good. Philip too … we later hear how he progressed to become a successful evangelist – famous for that incident with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts chapter 8. This can happen. We put our hand up for one task, but this is simply in preparation for the bigger things God has in mind.

Stephen performed “wonders and signs” – we don’t know exactly what – but these did … what they are always designed to do – bring attention to God. And when Stephen spoke, and even when people argued against him, the wisdom and spiritual truth of what he shared cut straight through. We regret that Stephen was so evilly stoned to death as a result of his preaching – yet the name of Jesus was on his lips as this happened (refer Acts 7:59-60). Was it this very incident, as we read the end of Acts 7, with Saul standing there as a witness – that laid the groundwork for Saul’s conversion on the Damascus Road (and everything that followed)?!

Saul, as he met Jesus, and became Paul, is an example itself … how leadership can quickly emerge from surprising places. Christian leadership is much more than just about filling jobs. Gift-discovery should allow for creative new ministries to begin. What is God ‘welling-up’ in you … that could be brought into the church’s ministry and mission? As the Holy Spirit gives the ‘gifts’, God is opening the doors for them to be used.

Conclusion – our challenge

What is God saying to you about leadership? This church needs to build a leadership team for the long-term future. We need people to discover their callings and work in the areas God has gifted them for. Some of this will be serving in hospitality. Some will have the calling of teaching the children. Others will lead us in worship in various capacities. Some wonderful souls … will serve in multiple capacities until we grow and others can take over. Some are needed to help govern the church on our board. And some are needed to be discerned as spiritual elders to guide our pastoral responses in church and community. Please prayerfully consider where you fit in God’s masterplan of leadership!

As each of us step out, and pursue the gifts and callings that God has given us, whatever they are – we are all potentially leaders – because, potentially, we can all make a contribution and difference for good. Those who specialise in bringing encouragement to those serving, and regularly offer prayer for all our ministries … lead us with a great example. Praise God that there are those people who are able to perform such important responsibilities in support of the ‘whole body’. When people are ministering in the right areas, according to their gifts, as part of the ‘body’, this is the path to our health and growth. Even the most seemingly humble or small act of obedience and leadership, can change everything for somebody. We can together, through our combined and unified efforts, redeem what belongs to God! Amen.