“Brothers, Choose Seven Of Your Men”

In those days the number of believers was growing. The Jews who followed Greek practices complained against the Jews who followed only Jewish practices. They said that the widows of men who followed Greek practices were not being taken care of. They weren't getting their fair share of food each day. So the Twelve gathered all the believers together. They said, "It wouldn't be right for us to give up teaching God's word in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven of your men. They must be known as men who are wise and full of the Holy Spirit. We will turn this important work over to them. Then we can give our attention to prayer and to teaching the word."

This plan pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen. He was full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon and Parmenas were chosen too. The group also chose Nicolas from Antioch. He had accepted the Jewish faith. The group brought them to the apostles. Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on them.

So God's word spread. The number of believers in Jerusalem grew quickly. Also, a large number of priests began to obey Jesus' teachings.

Acts 6:1-7

In the early days there came a point when the disciples realized they couldn’t do it all. Thus, the advent of what we call elders. By delegating the tasks, it allowed the disciples to do what they were supposed to do, which was then, and still is today – “prayer and to teaching the word.”

How can you come alongside your pastor and other leaders to help keep your church moving ahead?

Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect.

Our Daily Bread – May 12, 2010