Four Facets of Growing Churches

If we want to be a healthy, growing church like the one we see in the Book of Acts, we must be curious.

1879 in Alexander County, NC - The Hiddenite Emerald was discovered. Named after geologist William Earl Hidden, commissioned to NC by Thomas Edison to search for platinum.

A jeweler uses tools to examine the facets of a gemstone in order to determine its value.

The Christian uses questions to examine the facets of a Bible story in order to determine its value.

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1. Growing Churches Have Difficult Logistics

Acts 6:1 (NASB95)

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.

They Are Full of Sinners

We can sin by assuming another person’s motive.

We can sin by treating others unfairly.

They Are Fraught with Struggles

Moses dealt with this in Exodus 18:13-23

Exodus 18:13–18 (NASB95)

It came about the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from the morning until the evening. Now when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?” Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. “When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.” Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. “You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.

Greater participation requires greater preparedness.

Commitment without consignment produces congestion.

What should we do when we see congestion in the church?

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2. Growing Churches Have Delegating Leaders

Acts 6:2–4 NASB95

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.”

They Had Defined Roles

The Apostles knew what their primary responsibilities were.

The members understood the responsibility they were being given.

This is the first time we see what will become the office of Deacon in the church (lit. servant or table-waiter).

They Had Distributed Reliance

The Apostles trusted the church members.

The members felt a responsibility to support the Apostles.

Since the role of the Apostles was to start the New Testament Church, there are only two offices remaining today - elder/pastor and deacon.

The Holy Spirit makes someone an elder or a deacon, and the Church simply acknowledges what He has done.

Elders and Deacons are not more valuable to God’s Church than others. Every member has a ministry.

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3. Growing Churches Have Discerning Laity

Acts 6:5–6 NASB95

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.

They Had Discussion Regularly

The members communicated concerns to the Apostles.

The Apostles suggested solutions to the concerns of members.

The members followed the Apostles’ leadership.

Church leaders cannot solve problems they do not know about, and church members cannot use solutions they will not try.

They Had Disciples Ready

The Apostles knew that there were men qualified to take over this task.

The members knew each other enough to select men based on the Apostles’ criteria.

Moses also selected qualified men:

Exodus 18:19–23 NASB95

“Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. “Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. “Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. “If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.”

If we want to be a growing church, we must have a greater number of skilled church members than we need.

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4. Growing Churches Have Diligent Laborers

Acts 6:7 NASB95

The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Every church member is using their gifts.

Every church member is being taken care of.

The Apostles focused on teaching and prayer.

People were saved, from the priests to the poor.

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SLIDES

The preaching ministry is blocked by logistics.

Deacons break down the barriers to the preachers, and members use their talents to do the work of the ministry.

Preachers are free to focus on their calling while others work in their gifted areas. The result is a growing church.

QUESTION:

Do you have an ability that you aren’t using in the church yet?