The Biblical Background for Church Leadership
Significant Texts
Acts 6:1-6 - Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.- Notice what is NOT going on here. This is not the nomination of people who are simply thought of by the church as friendly, smart, and successful. It is not the appointment of a committee to research an issue. And it is not the appointment of a separate deliberative body to make a collective decision on what should be done about the problem.
- The twelve gathered the whole congregation to themselves and directed them to select seven spiritually qualified men who would faithfully engage in the work of physical service in order to maintain the unity of the church and free up the elders to devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer. The selected men were to serve the daily food so that the Hellenistic Jews would no longer have a legitimate complaint against the native Hebrews.
- The official nature of the selection is evident from the fact that these men were formally "put in charge of this task", and from the fact that the apostles "laid hands on them."
