Acts 6:1-7
AB Simpson is an awe-inspiring figure, if not for the spiritual leadership he gave that still reverberates today, at least for the physical amount of work he produced. He was an elementary school teacher, a pastor, an independent evangelist, he founded 2 missionary organizations (those grew into one – the CMA[Christian & Missionary Alliance]), he wrote over 70 books, composed multiple hymns and gospel songs, for years published magazines and periodicals to communicate the work of God in the world, and founded The Missionary Training Institute, which later came to be known as Nyack College, eventually Alliance University. That’s a lot for one life. Much of this happened in the latter half of his life, as the CMA began in 1887.
That is more than one person is meant to do by themselves. I have a hard enough time managing my workload and parenthood, let alone anything else. I can’t imagine how much of a mess my life would be without my wife’s help and without so many in our church family who step up in so many wonderful and powerful ways. We need that! Our church doesn’t need one person, but all of us! This is why Simpson invested in people like Paul Rader, a dynamic evangelist who took the reins of the CMA after Simpson’s death. Or Robert Jaffray, a pioneer missionary to Asia, who became a symbol of our movement’s expansion into new mission fields. Simpson’s wife Margaret was key in the organizational running and another key female Simpson worked with, Jessie Penn-Lewis, was an influential preacher and teacher – one of the reasons why the CMA has always been favorable to females in gospel work. Simpson couldn’t do the work alone – he needed and rose up others around him. I can’t do this alone – I need you all to rise up and join me in the work. The church is a team movement and requires the whole family to participate!
The funny thing about this passage is that it starts with a complaint. “Our people are being ignored!” Right here we have controversy in the early church about racial equality and inclusion, all of this on top of a very limited leadership. Everyone had been looking to the original disciples (the apostles now) to do everything! It was all on them. What is awesome about this noticeably short passage is the lack of controversy from the apostles. They were doing all they can and when an issue arises that calls for more hands at work, they replied with a resounding, “Yes, please!” It was so encouraging when people started to join in with me as I had joined the grocery bagging team, and then not only do that, but grew a passion from the Spirit to do the food pantry here. That never came from me, that came from you! The church! This church family! Thankfully it didn’t start as a complaint for a missed people group, but it started with people seeing a need and an ability to fill that need.
Regarding the controversy here, though, note that the apostles didn’t give one second of credence to the controversy. To them, there was no Jew or Greek, no slave or free, no male or female; only people who needed help and love. Thus the decision was easy; anoint others to take the role of servant and leave it in their hands – not micro-manage it, not obsess over it, but allow them to take the reins and run with it. This is my hope and desire with ministry here, even though it is combatant with my inner control freak. Our idea of the discipleship pipeline works best–not if I am handling every piece–but the church family steps up and takes ownership of their roles as a steward of ministry.
Next Steps
This allows the work of God to continue and grow. Notice the structure of this simple story: v1 – problem, v2-6 – solution, v7 – result. When we work together, God’s work increases and fruitfulness abounds. And notice how this verses specifically mentions the Jewish priests who submitted themselves to Christ! Even the “so-called” leaders will be influenced by a church family that lives the mission as a team together.
- Explore needs in our church family and your area of experience or interest to see if or how you could step into the discipleship pipeline. Where does your heart match up with the opportunities here?
- Challenge yourself to step in and join the work.
- Invite others into the pipeline. If you are working in a ministry that needs more hands, then ask people. Don’t wait for me to appoint or recruit someone, you do it. Bring someone alongside yourself and train them in the work.
This video was originally for a Great Commission Day offering, but asks the right questions: Will you send? Will you go? Will you do? We are in this together; we are a team, and this mission includes you along with me, along with (name some people) are vital to its success. Are you in?
Sources for historical info:
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