All the refugees coming to my town has meant the local churches have suddenly got a lot bigger! It’s been great to see the churches growing—but there have been some difficult things too. People already at my church need to learn how to welcome these newcomers as they try to get used to a new culture and new language. All this change can create some awkward situations.
Misunderstandings and arguments happen everywhere there’s more than one person! Church is the same. If we don’t deal with the problems in the right way, bigger problems can come up.
The early church in Jerusalem was growing well when a complaint came up that could have split the church into two groups. The Greek-speaking Jews (the Hellenists) had a problem with the Jews who spoke Aramaic. The Hellenist widows “were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food” (Acts 6:1). So the apostles told the church to “choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom” (v.3). The seven men chosen all had Greek names (v.5). In other words, they were Hellenists, members of the group with the problem. They would understand the situation better than some of the others in the church. The apostles prayed over them and the church kept on growing (vv.6-7).
Growth brings challenges, partly because it means more people, with different backgrounds and ideas, trying to work together. But as we ask the Holy Spirit to help us, we’ll find ways to support one another in the church and show the world that we are united by our loving God.
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Acts 6:3(KJV)
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Acts 6:4(KJV)
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