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Articles
Developing Leaders
In Acts 6:1, we read of the church at Jerusalem growing by leaps and bounds, as “the number of the disciples was multiplied.” However, one of the unfortunate side effects of this growth, was that some of the needs of their members were overlooked, as the Grecian “widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” To take care of this needful work, notice that the twelve apostles did not “leave the word of God, and serve tables” themselves (v.2). Neither did the twelve apostles get in the pulpit the following Sunday and tell the rest of the congregation that they need to do better. Nor did the twelve apostles ignore the problem, in hopes that it would just take care of itself. The Bible tells us in v.3 that seven qualified men were selected from the congregation whom the apostles could “appoint over this business” (KJV) or “put in charge of this task” (NASV). Notice the apostles didn’t tell these seven men, “Alright, now you seven guys take care of all the widows.” No, the Bible says that these seven men were put in charge of the task at hand. When you consider that the church at Jerusalem literally had thousands of members (Ac. 2:41; 4:4), it’s reasonable to believe there were probably hundreds of widows. If so, was this a job that seven men could accomplish alone? Of course not! That would be a nearly impossible assignment! So that is why the apostles appointed these men to be leaders over this work. These seven men, of necessity, would begin to develop others within the congregation who could assist them, and see to it that this important work could be adequately carried out. So we’ve got leaders (the twelve apostles) developing leaders (the seven men) developing leaders (others in the congregation). My friends, the church at Jerusalem definitely understood the value of developing leaders! We see this same concept demonstrated again in Titus 1:5, when Paul said that he had appointed Titus to ordain elders in every city. Here’s a proven leader (Paul) developing a young leader (Titus) who’s developing even more leaders (elders in the church). Over and over, the New Testament bears record that this process of leadership development works, and that it is essential in carrying out the Lord’s work. The Lord’s church today desperately needs leaders, men who will take the initiative and say “Here am I, send me” (Is. 6:8), men who are “ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1). And when there are leaders in the church, naturally, that equips us for being leaders in the home, leaders at work, and leaders in the community. Most importantly, it makes us better able to lead the lost to Christ.
