FRIDAY - JUNE 26

Read. Acts 6:1-7
About that time, while the number of disciples continued to increase, a complaint arose. Greek-speaking disciples accused the Aramaic-speaking disciples because their widows were being overlooked in the daily food service.2 The Twelve called a meeting of all the disciples and said, “It isn’t right for us to set aside proclamation of God’s word in order to serve tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, carefully choose seven well-respected men from among you. They must be well-respected and endowed by the Spirit with exceptional wisdom. We will put them in charge of this concern. 4 As for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and the service of proclaiming the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the entire community. They selected Stephen, a man endowed by the Holy Spirit with exceptional faith, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 The community presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 God’s word continued to grow. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased significantly. Even a large group of priests embraced the faith.

Reflect. The community of Jesus followers continued to grow and, “a complaint arose.” Anyone that has been in a growing group of people should know that a complaint is likely to happen. You have two different groups of Christians in this community—Jewish Christians who primarily speak Greek and Jewish Christians who primarily speak Hebrew or Aramaic. 

• If you remember, the community pooled resources and cared for those who were with great need. Evidently, this process was not being accomplished according to plan and some of the Greek speaking widows were being left out (or felt they were being left out). 
• The apostles knew that the movement was growing too large for them to lead alone, so they restructured leadership and scaled things up by bringing in more leaders to meet the needs of the community. This restructuring was successful and they movement continued to grow.   
• This crisis could have split the church; it could have ended the church; it could have angered people into leaving the Jesus movement. Instead, the apostles admitted their own failures in leadership and adapted the organization to meet the growing demands. From our vantage point it is evident that they made the right decisions and that God blessed their efforts, but it is not always clear in the midst of a crisis which way you should go. 
• What crisis or issue are you facing in your life? Is there a change that you need to make, but you keep resisting the change? How could the insights of the adaptive nature of the early church help you overcome your challenge? 

Pray. Lord, grant me the wisdom of the apostles who faced a season of change in the church. Help me to learn and grow in ways the lead to positive change in my life and our world. Amen. 

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Doug. Bobby. Collier. Glenn. Adam.  Mary.  Clyde.  Linda. Betty Carolyn. Jeff. Albert. Richard. Lois. Ross. Tiny. Donald. Bill. Barbara. Andreas. Helen. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Terry Kibler. Carolyn Harlow