MONDAY February 13, 2023
Establishment of Church Leadership
And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
Acts 6:5-6
Even though the Apostles loved to serve the body of Christ in so many ways, they came to an agreement, through much prayer, to give themselves first to the spiritual needs of the church. They prioritized their lives to seek God’s heart and mind in prayer and in the study of God’s Word, so they could teach the people effectively.
The Apostle Paul, in the book of 1Timothy, gave great honor to those called to labor in the Word of God. He taught: Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17). Through the teaching of the Word of God, believers become mature. As they grew in Christ, they became equipped and discovered their own spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:11-13). God would begin to use them! This is the purpose of the Church.
Notice, there was complete unity with what the Apostles had decided. The Apostles established a church eldership and deaconship. Seven men from among them were chosen to serve. They met the requirements for leadership, and they would take care of the needs that had arisen in the church.
The Bible, using the example set down by the early Church, gives an orderly pattern to follow for establishing leadership in churches today. It is wise to allow a senior pastor to dedicate the majority of his time to prayer and the study of God’s Word, and to delegate the small matters to the deacons. They can always take the weightier matters that arise to him.
It takes more than a busy church, a friendly church, or even an
evangelical church to impact a community for Christ. It must be a church
ablaze, led by leaders who are ablaze for God.
~Wesley L. Duewel~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
