Is There a Right Way to Organize a Church? (Acts 6:1-7)

Today we're beginning a new chapter in our Acts book series, as we uncover what chapter 6 has to say about organizing a church.<br />
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Is there a right way to organize a church? <br />
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• But seriously, lots of debate on this over the centuries<br />
• Elders, deacons, pastors, bishops, etc.<br />
• Are these different positions in the church?<br />
• Today I’ll show you that there are only two “offices” in the church when it comes to positions of leadership<br />
• But is there only one prescribed, God-ordained way to organize?<br />
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Acts 6:1 (NLT) 1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.<br />
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• Church growth brings it challenges!<br />
• Greek speaking vs. Hebrew speaking - Warning against cliques in the church, us vs. them mentality, contrary to the unity Jesus calls us to have and the unity that will show the world we are his disciples<br />
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Acts 6:2-4 (NLT) 2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”<br />
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• Division of labor<br />
• Apostles weren’t discounting the importance of meeting physical needs. The apostles were teaching “everything they had seen and heard” ( We have seen this phrase used earlier in the book of Acts).  They couldn’t just pass that responsibility on to people who hadn’t walked with Jesus.  They didn’t have Bibles available for the average believer.  They were teaching what Jesus had taught them, both prior to his crucifixion and between his resurrection and ascension.  <br />
• The church should be looking for opportunities to meet physical needs of others, particularly other believers. (1 John 3:17, James 2:15-16)<br />
• Philosophy of ministry to have elders/pastors whose only role is teaching the Word of God. Teaching the Word of God is extremely important, but we do have a different context today.  Believers do have access to the Bible. They do have access to other believers, commentaries, etc.  <br />
• Notice the requirements don’t mention anything about the charisma, wealth, talents of the individuals being put forth for consideration.  It is about their character, wisdom, and being Spirit filled. <br />
• Note also the importance of prayer.  The apostles were intentional about making room in their schedule for prayer.  This is critical in ministry.  Something I certainly fall short in at times. <br />
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Acts 6:5-6 (NLT) 5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.<br />
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• Everyone liked this idea - maybe the biggest miracle in all of scripture!!<br />
• Process: men selected from the people, presented to apostles who released them for ministry<br />
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) In the history of exegesis and church government, Acts 6 with the appointment of Stephen and six others was always seen as relevant to diaconal definition and identity. But they are not actually called deacons using the Greek word diakonos. That word refers to a “servant” in various senses and capacities in Paul’s twenty-one uses of the word.<br />
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Let’s break down “diakonos” (servant, minister, deacon) in Paul’s writings:<br />
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• General uses: Not referring to official positions in a local church<br />
• Rom 15:8 - Christ has become a servant<br />
• 1 Cor 3:5 - Apollos and Paul are servants<br />
• Col 1:7, 4:7 - Epaphras and Tychicus are ministers<br />
• 2 Cor 11:15 - Satan has servants<br />
• Office of deacon in local church: Only 3 times!<br />
• Phil 1:1 (NLT) I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.<br />
• Philippians written around ...