By Acts chapter 6, there were enough followers of Jesus that logistics had become complex. For many, becoming a Christian meant losing family support systems that, in the absence of state provision, kept the vulnerable from destitution. The widows were now the  responsibility of the church. Suddenly there were new roles in addition to those of leaders, teachers and preachers: organisers and people to wait on tables. These roles enabled further growth (v 7).

Church life remains complex today and there is a huge array of jobs to be done, from preaching, pastoral care and worship leading, to hospitality, children’s work and finances. Reading the story of the distribution of food to widows, we need to hear both of these lessons:

We need to hear that it is right to prioritise what God has called us to do. We may have to lay down some of the responsibilities we’ve gathered along the way.

But, we also need to hear that our contribution is vital to the health and growth of the church, and we should get stuck in.

‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us … if it is serving, then serve.’¹

Though the Jerusalem church was a single ethnic church of Jews alone, there were two types of Jews: the Aramaic-speaking Hebrews, who lived in Israel, and the Greek-speaking Hellenists from the diaspora. The Hellenists had come to Jerusalem for the feast; many had been converted at Pentecost and remained in Jerusalem. They complained to the apostles, possibly asserting that the unequal food distribution was deliberate. 

The way the apostles dealt with it provides an interesting lesson for church leaders. They realised that their call from God was to preach the Word and teach. They should not get involved in day-to-day administration, so they applied the principle of delegation.² They called the leaders and told them to choose seven men who were full of the Spirit and wisdom, so that they were known to be fair. Many pastors today, instead of sticking to the ministry to which God called and gifted them, get involved in administration or other tasks. The answer is to find other people in the congregation who have administrative and financial gifts – but ego can get in the way. In many Indian churches the leadership is held in the hands of a few very powerful extended families or caste groups. 

The Jerusalem church approved of this suggestion and chose the Seven. It is interesting that all the young men have Greek names and are Hellenist Jews: the first appointed office-bearers of the church were chosen not to preach, but for practical service. Neither ministry is superior to the other; both require people ‘full of the Spirit’. How do you deal with problems in your church? Does one ethnic (or other) group control the whole church?

Pray for wisdom in your local church to share the ministry among the gifted members. 

¹ Rom 12:6,7  ² Exod 18:14–23