By David Faust
It’s been said, “When the Lord starts blessin’, the devil starts messin.’” Right when the gospel was taking root and “the number of disciples was increasing” (Acts 6:1), an internal dispute threatened the fledgling church.
Feeding hungry widows was a noble goal, but hints of injustice and prejudicial treatment tainted the process. Some complained that the widows with Grecian backgrounds weren’t receiving their fair share, while the Hebrew widows were being favored. If one of those overlooked, under-served widows happened to be your aunt or your next-door neighbor, you would have been upset, too. This simmering conflict could have blown the young church wide open.
We can learn a lot from the way the apostles handled this potentially explosive situation.
THEY LISTENED TO THE PEOPLE
The apostles didn’t ignore the complaints. They took them seriously.
Admittedly, some ideas are bad ideas, and some church members are never satisfied. Whiners whine and complainers complain. Leaders can’t please everyone. But good shepherds know their sheep. They understand the legitimate concerns and real-life issues that threaten and worry the flock. Leaders make better decisions when they engage in active listening.
THEY CLARIFIED THE CHURCH’S PRIORITIES
Elders and ministry leaders should have servants’ hearts and be willing to get their hands dirty, but that doesn’t mean they must dive in personally and fix every troublesome issue that comes along. It’s important to have boundaries.
The apostles said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables” (Acts 6:2). Without minimizing the importance of feeding the poor, they found a creative way to address the problem. The apostles needed to focus on “prayer and the ministry of the word” (v. 4), while others could care directly for the widows.
THEY DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITY TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS
It was time for others to step up. The apostles told the gathered congregation, “Choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). Wise, godly servant-leaders could be trusted to handle the food distribution.
Too many churches today—even ones that affirm the ministry of all believers—act as if their paid staff are the important performers. In this flawed model, the congregation is little more than a passive audience. Instead, leaders ought to be equippers who treat “lay” volunteers as valued coworkers to be prepared, empowered, and released for ministry. As Moses learned from his father-in-law Jethro in Exodus 18, delegation lightens the leadership burden, involves others in ministry, and helps to prevent burnout.
THEY CLEARED THE WAY FOR THE CHURCH TO GROW
The “proposal pleased the whole group” (Acts 6:5), making this one of the most positive congregational meetings in church history! Wise leadership prevented a molehill from becoming a mountain. Instead of drifting into rancorous division, this forward-looking and faithful, proactive, and prayerful church experienced explosive growth. “The word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith” (v. 7).
Listen well. Clarify priorities. Delegate wisely. Confront obstacles that stand in the way of unity and growth. Seek creative solutions that engage the congregation. These are not flashy ideas, but God blesses leaders who understand them and put them into practice.
Personal Challenge: Does an unresolved conflict or a festering problem currently threaten your church? Take at least one proactive step (active listening, supportive prayer, creative problem-solving, encouragement of stressed-out leaders, recruiting additional people to serve) to help resolve it.
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