Together in Christ: 'Transparent, Mission-guided, Spiritual Leadership and Care' — Acts 6:1-4

Monday, August 19, 2024

Your Support Matters!

Your donations are vital to help us keep the light shining.

Donate Now

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, "We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word."

— Acts 6:1-4 NLT

Key Thought

Many of us are cynical about leadership because so much of our political leadership and its processes are corrupt, ineffective, and partisan. We often fear that many decisions important to us are influenced by backroom negotiations and a lack of transparent honesty in leadership. This distrust damages the whole fabric of community living and destroys the confidence of those who are led.

The explosive growth of the early church included widows from outside Judea and Galilee (what we call the Holy Land) becoming Christians. Because they didn't speak Hebrew (Aramaic), [1] they could not communicate well and were left out of the provisions provided by the church to widows from the region. Some accused the early church leadership of discrimination. The problem was a public issue, so the solution had to be addressed publicly. The apostles exercised great care and wisdom, ensuring they handled this critical issue appropriately and openly. The apostles informed the general fellowship of believers of the problem, and then involved them in the solution. They gave clear qualifications for the kind of servant leaders needed to address this issue. The apostles also indicated that they would stick to their Jesus-ordained ministry roles of prayer and teaching. This openness and the apostles' mission focus opened the door for God to work and for the people to be informed and choose additional godly leaders to address this specific need. The result was astoundingly positive. The church grew. The disciples included and served the once-neglected widows. The church recognized and empowered additional new leaders. The Good News of Jesus spread to people not previously reached.

I believe there are many lessons to be learned that can equip us to navigate the complex waters of leadership among diverse groups of people:

  • Problems arise when the church grows and includes diverse groups.
  • Church leaders should be open about the problems and involve the whole church in solving the problem within structured recommendations.
  • Leadership roles need to be determined by potential leaders' godly character and the alignment of their gifts with the needs of leaders. [2]
  • Prayer and public support from the current leaders are important for additional leaders to begin and carry out effective ministry.
  • Additional leaders must be given the authority and responsibility to do their work as the Spirit leads them.

Let's commit to appointing godly, transparent leaders who carry out their leadership responsibilities based on their character, gifts, and understanding of their mission and the mission of other leadership roles. Let's prayerfully support all our leaders as they seek to honor God, bless His people, and expand the church's witness to Jesus! [3]

[1] Aramaic was a similar language to Hebrew and was spoken by most of the people who grew up in the Jewish faith and lived in Judea and Galilee. Greek was the lingua franca, the language of business and commerce spoken in the Roman Empire. Many of these widows in the early church came from outside Judea and Galilee, so they spoke Greek or a regional dialect. Luke listed many places from which these Jews and proselytes came (Acts 2:9-11).
[2] 1 Peter 4:10; 1 Corinthians 12:7.
[3] 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24-25.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, give us leaders who are godly, wise, transparent, and good at sharing leadership with others. We desperately need these godly leaders, so use us to encourage potential leaders to step up and lead and use us to prayerfully support others who are leading now. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Ephesians 4:7, 12-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11
  • Titus 1:5-9

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, August 19, 2024

A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"The floods have risen up, O Lord. The floods have roared like thunder; the floods have lifted their pounding waves. But mightier than the violent..."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"[Jesus said,] "If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have..."
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"Christ's reign in his Church is that of a shepherd-king. He has supremacy, but it is the superiority of a wise and tender shepherd over his needy and...."
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
"When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 6:1-4 NLT — But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, "We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word."

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.