Author: Pastor Robin Tyner
I’ve been reading and reflecting on Acts 6. The chapter describes how the apostles stood firm in the midst of an administrative crisis. They were overseeing a church of multiplied thousands and controversy was brewing over the breakdown of the food distribution for widows. They were willing to fix this managerial problem themselves, but would not have been wise to do so. As a result, they delegated the job to capable men and stayed focused on spending time in prayer and God’s Word.
Here’s how they responded to the people, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to the duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. And what they said pleased the whole gathering….They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:2-7).
When Acts 6:4 describes the apostles as being “devoted” to “prayer and the ministry of the word,” the verb means to “adhere firmly to.” I’m both inspired, and challenged, by their example. It’s a reminder when leaders lead by example, keeping dialed into the power source, the church moves into incredible realms of spiritual impact and growth.
I’ve been convicted by the example of the apostles and their tenacity to “keep the main thing the main thing.” I’m sorry to say there have been too many times when I’m distracted by good things, and not devoted to what’s best which is “prayer and the ministry of the word.”
Photo Credit: Timothy Eberly, Unsplash
