…the number of disciples was increasing… (Acts 6:1).
Growth is a nice problem to have. But it is still a problem that needs to be addressed, or else the growth can implode an organization.
In this instance, the early Christian church was growing rapidly and attempting to address the need for getting food to widows. Apparently, some of the widows were being overlooked in that food distribution.
To start the ball rolling on solving this growth problem, the apostles gave some simple parameters: We will focus on preaching, the rest of you should select administrators to oversee the food ministry (vv. 2-4). The job description was pretty simple too—they must have a good reputation, be full of the Holy Spirit, be wise, and (this is implied) be willing to serve.
Notice the trust the church leaders placed in that congregation:
- seek out from among you
- they chose
- they set them [the candidates] before the apostles
The congregation was pleased by both the apostles’ plan and the level of trust that was conferred on them. It appears that seven men were the unanimous selection of both the congregation and the church leaders.
After these men were installed in their new administrative roles, look at the results:
- more preaching
- more salvations
- more inroads into the Jewish religious leadership sect
- more people fed
- more miracles performed
- and more persecution from those threatened by the church’s rapid growth
It’s interesting to note that Luke uses the word added to talk about the church’s growth in chapters 1-5, but after this growth problem is successfully resolved, Luke stops using added and only uses multiplication terminology.
When handled the right way, growth problems—or any problems, for that matter—lead to more growth.
A mark of a godly leader is one who handles growth problems correctly.
This is part 36 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
Craig T. Owens 
Studies In The Sermon On The Mount (book review)
April 23, 2019 — Craig T. OwensNot only did Chambers provide us with an excellent commentary on this Sermon, but his life showed his devotion to practicing what he preached. At a memorial service for Chambers in December 1917, a close friend described Oswald’s life as “the finest commentary on the Sermon on the Mount I know.” May that be said of all Christians!
This is one of the finest commentaries I have read on this life-patterning sermon that Jesus gave us. It’s a great read, but it is also quite challenging at times. To be honest, Chambers’ thoughts are so deeply profound at points that it takes several readings to grasp the implications. But it is worth your effort!
A colleague of Chambers—J.F. Knapp, who founded God’s Bible School in Cincinnati, OH, where Chambers taught for seven months in 1907—described it better than I could:
To Knapp’s words I can only add “Amen!” If you want to understand the Sermon On The Mount better, you shouldn’t miss out on this premier Oswald Chambers book.
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