One thing that leaders learn very quickly, especially church leaders, is that with growth comes problems. The early church experienced this. At no other time in Christian history has the church been characterized by the phenomenal growth which it experienced in the first few weeks of its existence. Yet it was in this most exciting moment in the history of the church, when the church was being multiplied in size, a problem arose in the church that caused dissension and a division. The apostles acted immediately to deal with this threat to the unity of the church.
What we learn from the apostles in problem solving.
I. Handling Problems Demands DiscernmentActs 6:1 “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.”
As any organization grows, things cannot be handled spontaneously or informally any longer. Organizational growth requires constant evaluation and change in the way things are done.
The complaint, here in Acts, concerned the welfare of the widows. The apostles discerned that this was a real problem in the church and it needed to be dealt with.
II. Handling Problems Requires DecisivenessActs 6:2-3 “And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.”
There are several possible ways they could have dealt with problem.
(1) They could have Ignored the Problem
Ignored problems do not go away.
Ignored problems do not go away.
(2) They could have Resented the Problem.
They could have taken the criticism personally and reacted with resentment. This never leads to a solution.
They could have taken the criticism personally and reacted with resentment. This never leads to a solution.
(3) They could have Over-reacted to the Problem.
Sometimes the temptation is to overreact by giving in to criticism even before we check out its merits, and possibly do more harm than good.
Sometimes the temptation is to overreact by giving in to criticism even before we check out its merits, and possibly do more harm than good.
(4) They Faced the Problem.
Every problem that arises gives us the opportunity to do three things.
Every problem that arises gives us the opportunity to do three things.
(1) Examine the effectiveness of what we are doing.
(2) Exercise faith (in God and in each other).
(3) Express Love in the way that we work out the problem.
(2) Exercise faith (in God and in each other).
(3) Express Love in the way that we work out the problem.
III. Handling Problems Requires Delegation.Acts 6:4-5 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.”
It would be easy to read this as though the apostles were saying, “We’re too good to serve tables.” But if you read it that way you miss the meaning of the passage. The apostles were convinced that their primary calling was to pray for the church and to proclaim His Word.
The disciples knew their calling and therefore they knew they needed to prioritize and organize. Therefore, Instead of taking it over themselves, they delegated responsibility.
Acts 6:3 “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.”
This ministry was important. So the apostles laid out specific qualifications. These men were to be men of character. Men who have demonstrated they were trustworthy and wise.
IV. Handling Problems Produces DividendsActs 6:7 “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”
The first result of handling this problem was that unity was restored among the people. According to verse 5, the proposal made by the apostles “pleased the whole multitude.”
Verse 7 starts out with “And”. Many versions use the word “Then” or “So.” In other words, it was only when the problem was solved that they church started to grow again. “The word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly.”
