As the first church began to grow steadily, challenges seemed to arrive from all directions. One such challenge faced by the early church in Acts 6 had to do with fairness and equity – weighty and important issues for any community.

Acts 6:1
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

This was a challenge originating from within. The Hellenists – Greek speaking Jews most probably from the other Roman colonies – within the community were being neglected in the distribution of provisions.

How the Apostles dealt with the matter is not only instructive for us today but also turned out to be prescriptive for future churches in the New Testament and beyond. As the matter got to the leaders, it’s interesting to see that they did not have a knee-jerk reaction causing them to abandon everything and firefight the issue on hand.   

They convened the full number of the apostles and having explained how it was not right for them to shift their focus even slightly from the ministry of the Word, they proposed and facilitated for the selection of 7 Spirit and wisdom filled men of good character who would take on the task of addressing fairness and equity in the community. As for them, “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4)

From the get-go the apostles demonstrated an understanding of the central role of prayer and God’s word in the life of the community. So they were unyielding in their practical involvement in the ministry of prayer and God’s word. As leaders they needed to remain focused on and devoted to these two disciples.

There was no way the apostles were going to be distracted from this vital ministry of the word which was the bedrock and foundation of everything this community represented. There was no way they were going to allow the exposure and immersion of the disciples in the word of God to be reduced or compromised. It was far too important so they determined to hold on to it without dropping the tempo in the slightest.

The apostles exercised caution and wisdom in their approach and handling of this issue. As leaders, they had the vision and discernment to deal with the matter on hand without abdicating their responsibility. They understood how critical it was that they remain steadfastly devoted to their calling to lead by praying with and ministering the word to the community.  These two things were non-negotiable for them as leaders and should be for us too today if we are called to serve in a leadership capacity at any level.

They had to remain focused and devoted to these two disciplines if they were to successfully continue in their leadership of this fledgling community. They understood that firefighting every challenge that arose at the cost devotion to the twin disciplines of leading in prayer and ministry of the word was not the way ahead.

They were very conscious of the charge they were under and the commission they received which in turn dictated their decisions and actions. They were simply staying faithful to the commission they had received from the Lord not allowing themselves to be distracted from it by anything else.

Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

They faithfully stayed their course as mapped out for them by the Lord and not by circumstances or situations that emerged in their midst (however urgent or needy these may seem).

The apostles knew that a loose connection or a weak devotion to praying and the word would not cut it for any responsible leader.

It is unthinkable and frankly preposterous to be in a leadership role and not be seriously engaged and continuously devoted to the Word and prayer. It is almost inexcusable to allow oneself to be distracted and separated from this devotion to The Word and prayer.

There was no room in the Apostles’ thinking for any amount of distraction – for whatever reason – from devotion to the Word and prayer.

You cannot be in a meaningful and impacting leadership role in Christ’s church if you neglect or side-line communal devotion to God’s word and prayer.