Acts 6 - Should the Pastor Do All the Work?

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The Choosing of the Seven

As the church grew exponentially, the demands on the apostles to do things like resolve conflicts between the Greek speaking and Jewish widows, increased exponentially as well. This prompted the 12 apostles to tell the disciples to choose seven mem who could serve as deacons meeting the more practical and administrative needs of the community. 

Importantly, the apostles said that they needed to focus on "prayer", and the "ministry of the word". Though it wasn't below them to do things like, "waiting on tables", it took their focus off of important matters such as preaching and teaching God's Word and spending copious amounts of time in prayer. As a pastor of 30 years, I know full well this challenge. I think every pastor faces it at some level or another. The bottom line as Paul says in Ephesians 4, 

the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The pastor's job as the shepherd of the congregation is to equip other believers for ministry so they can focus on the spiritual development of the membership to,, "Attain the whole measure of the full measure of Christ."

We often call this developing people to become, "Fully devoted followers of Christ who grow to Christlike maturity!" It doesn't mean you are Jesus, but you are becoming MORE like him, as the Holy Spirit molds and shapes your character to be the type of person he would be if he were you. 

Most pastors struggle with delegating tasks, especially if they are paid, because they think it is there job to make sure everything is done correctly. This not only "burns them out" but does not give their flock the chance to serve God as they are called to do. 

Notice they weren't supposed to pick anyone, but those full of the Spirit and wisdom. Stephen is the most well known deacon, and Luke describes him as, "A man full of God's grace and power!"  As Stephen performed signs and wonders, Jews from areas outside of Jerusalem began to speak against him. They could not win a fair fight or stand up against Stephen's wisdom, so they spread lies about him saying, "He blasphemes Moses!"

These were the accusations against Stephen. Significantly, many of the same false accusations were leveled against Jesus (Matthew 26:59-61). It is a good thing to be accused of the same things Jesus was accused of. - Guzik

So they stirred up the leaders, teachers of the law, and other people. They had them brought before the Sanhedrin, made up of 70 men who ruled the Jewish people. Judaism in Jesus' day was a theocracy, so the rulers of the synagogue were also the rulers of the people. I.e. There was no separation between church and state. 

They produced false witnesses who accused him of false teaching, including that Jesus was going to bring down the temple and change the customs of Moses. Again, this was the same charge they leveled against Jesus that He did not adhere to the laws of Moses. Meanwhile amidst all of these accusation Luke says, 

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

The face of an angel also means that Stephen was at perfect peace. His face was not filled with fear or terror, because he knew his life was in God’s hands and that Jesus never forsakes His people. - Guzik

Does the pastor try do all the work in your church? Or, does he equip and delegate tasks to the members of the church? Do you think your pastor spends enough time teaching and admonishing with God's Word and spend a lot of time in personal prayer? 

Pray for your pastor that he might keep his priorities straight right, as he serves your church. Pray that the members of your church would grow in Christlike maturity as they receive God's Word and put into to practice in their lives!