Tag ministry

Maximizing Your Ministry Part 1 (Acts 6:1-7)

Introduction

The admonition to care for the poor is found throughout the Scriptures (Exodus 23:10-11; Leviticus 23:22; Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Esther 9:22; Psalm 14:6, 41:1; Proverbs 14:21; Matthew 11:5, 19:21; Romans 15:26; Galatians 2:10; Luke 14:13, 21). Caring for the poor is one way that a person in the community of faith does business with God (Proverbs 19:17) and honors Him. How does showing kindness to the poor honor God? There are at least two reasons why kindness to the poor honors God. First, the poor are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27; Proverbs 14:31; 22:2); showing kindness to the poor is a way of showing respect for His image (1 John 4:20). Second, rendering compassion to the poor in our fellowships is one way we demonstrate our new birth (1 John 5:1).

Figure 1 – Poor people in the Bible come in many types. Especially important to God are widows (James 1:27).

Within the segment of society regarded as poor there is a subsection that is especially dear to God’s heart: widows and orphans (Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 68:5; Proverbs 15:25; James 1:26-27). Widows, especially in the time of the first church, were particularly vulnerable to poverty. The agencies of modern governments that care for the poor did not exist. But the early church, under its apostolic leadership, had been mindful of this group. There was a daily distribution of alms aimed at meeting the needs of widows. This distribution to the widows had worked for a while; it had been effective when the church was fairly homogenous. But with exponential growth in the fellowship came a corresponding diversity in the demographics. The church is now comprised of local Jews and those that have immigrated to Jerusalem. The local Jews speak Aramaic (or Mishnaic Hebrew). Those that have immigrated to Jerusalem are called Hellenists (Acts 6:1). Who are the Hellenists and how do they differ from the Hebrews? F.F. Bruce summarizes:

The church of Jerusalem, we are now told, comprised both “Hebrews” and “Hellenists.” The main distinction between the two groups was probably linguistic: the Hellenists were Jews whose habitual language was Greek and who attended Greek-speaking synagogues; the Hebrews spoke Aramaic (or Mishnaic Hebrew) and attended synagogues where the service was conducted in Hebrew. Many of the Hellenists had affinities with the lands of the Jewish dispersion around the Mediterranean shores, whereas the Hebrews were Palestinian Jews; there were doubtless several minor social and cultural differences between the two groups. In the Jewish world as a whole there were tensions between them, and some of these tensions endured between members of the two groups who had joined the “disciples” (Bruce, 1988, p. 120).

The Hellenists are Jews of the Diaspora that have assimilated some aspects of Greek culture – especially language. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, in his commentary on Acts explains that their was a grievance growing among the Hellenists against the Hebrews:

[W]hile the church was deeply concerned about taking care of the widows, there seems to have been a prejudice in favor of the locally born, Hebrew speaking widows, over the Greek speaking widows who had immigrated into the country. The latter felt neglected and overlooked in the daily distribution (Fruchtenbaum, 2005, Kindle Locations 2723-2725).

Out of the growth caused by the ministry of the word (Acts 5:42) came diversity. Out of the diversity arose discrimination and inequity. In order to deal with inequity and discrimination there would need to be an intervention by the apostles. The handling of the matter by the twelve contains principles of missional living that are sorely needed by many fellowships and individuals today. If we are willing to listen to the voice of the early church apostles, our ministries, personal and corporate, can become more efficient and more effective. The twelve tell us to concentrate on our calling, delegate duties, and then watch God work.

Questions for Personal Study

1. Are there indicators that your ministry is operating below its potential? This could be seen in missed opportunities due to obligations outside your calling or quality that is lower than what you are capable of?
2. Has anyone shared with you criticism concerning your ministry that could be useful in looking for places to improve?
3. Do you desire to raise the quality of your ministry and the quantity of people reached?

References

Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G (2005). Commentary Series: The Book of Acts. Ariel Ministries.

Notes

The women seen in the featured image of this post were at a conference in Atlanta. Immediately to my right is Yvonne. Across the table is Virgina. I was there for the company owned by my wife and I, BIF Technologies, on business with Xtreme Solutions. After our respective work we met over prayer, the Scriptures, and worship in a public setting. We endeavored to (1) be above reproach and (2) make the most of the moment. Maximizing your ministry may be as simple as using moments that seem secular for purposes sanctified.

1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.

3:1 We have seen these two men together in the past. When the Lord is transformed on the mountain Peter and John are there with James (Matthew 16:27-17:2; Mark 9:1-2; Luke 9:27-29). They are together with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-38; Mark 14:32-33). We see them running together to the tomb of Jesus when the women say that the body is missing (John 20:1-4). And they are together in a boat when Jesus appears to them on the shore after His resurrection (John 21:6-7). Finally, when Jesus would talk with Peter alone, these two men are not entirely separated; the disciple whom Jesus loved was compelled to walk nearby (John 21:20-22). And so there is continuity from the other gospel narratives and the prior volume when we see Peter and John frequently together in the early parts of The Acts of the Apostles (Acts 3:1, 3, 11; 4:13, 19; 8:14).

They are a dynamic duo. Peter tends to be the speaker but John is always there, also with power, supporting the actions and words of his friend and fellow apostle. Their pairing may have been merely the outworking of their friendship. More likely it was also their commitment to the earlier commands and ministry conventions of Christ; He sent them by twos (Luke 10:1; Mark 6:7). It is by twos that they are going to pray… and to preach if given an opportunity. It is by twos that Peter and John, Jewish men, are still practicing Judaism. They are going together to the second and last offering of the day. It would have been about 3:00 PM.

The time of the apostles’ visit was the “ninth” hour, three in the afternoon, i.e., the hour of prayer. It was also the time of the evening Tamid, one of the two sacrifices held daily in the temple. These had become prescribed times of prayer, and people would come to the temple at the sacrifice times to observe the ceremony and pray. (Polhill, 1992, p. 126)

The apostles continued to live as observant Jews, attending the set services of worship in the Jerusalem temple. The two principal daily services accompanied the offering of the morning and evening sacrifices. One afternoon, as two of the apostles, Peter and John, went up the steps leading from the outer court to the inner courts, in order to be present in the Court of Israel for the service of prayer which accompanied the evening sacrifice (about 3 p.m.), they were arrested by the sight of a [lame man] who lay begging at the “Beautiful Gate.” (Bruce, 1988, p. 77)

Peter is often with John. Paul was often with Barnabas. Before them David, when he could, was with Jonathan. The pairing that was started in Jesus’ ministry continues in Peter and John after their Teacher has ascended. Should it? The principles that make pairing good say that it is the best way to do ministry. Here are five fundamental truths that serve as the foundation for operating in nothing less than pairs:

Mutual Support and Encouragement

• The Principle — The mutual support is essential to effective ministry. When disciples or apostles are sent out in pairs, they can support and encourage each other in times of challenge and difficulty.
• Biblical Basis (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) — Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.
• Assessment Question — In what ways has my prior ministry experience proven that challenges and difficulties are best faced with a ministry partner?
• Action Steps — Review the passage above and pray for strong resolve to honor this ministry principle. Give thanks for the persons that God has paired you with. If you are operating alone, prayerfully consider the possibility that your ministry is out of order and needs to be corrected immediately.

Witnessing and Testimony

• The Principle — Jesus sending disciples in pairs aligns with the Jewish legal principle that a matter is confirmed on the testimony of two or three witnesses. This ensures that the message of the ones sent is credible and firmly established. Also, the ministry of a single person is especially vulnerable to false accusations from the adversaries of Jesus.
• Biblical Basis (Deuteronomy 19:15) — One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.
• Assessment Question — In what ways has the credibility of my ministry been enhanced or suffered according to either its compliance or deviation from this principle?
• Action Steps — Review the passage above and pray for strong resolve to honor this ministry principle. Important ministry activities should not be executed alone. Even if it means slowing things down, things like mission trips and visiting the sick should be done with someone else — someone with integrity. Calendar activities that are ministry that only involve you should be shared or canceled.

Strength and Protection

• The Principle — Jesus was sending his disciples into places where there were needy people and people who would do them harm. Traveling in pairs provided a level of protection and strength in potentially hostile environments; the disciples were sent as “lambs among wolves.”
• Biblical Basis (Luke 10:1, 3) — After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go… Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
• Assessment Question — What is the history of hostility in the areas where I am going to serve? In what ways do I show (1) naivete about human nature and (2) delusions about my ability to care for myself in hostile situations.
• Action Steps — Know the history of hostility in an area where you are going to serve. If the area or people have persecuted other ministers, prayerfully choose who goes with you. That person should be capable of keeping their cool in conflict and helping you in hostile situations.

Spiritual Accountability and Discernment

• The Principle — Working in pairs allows for spiritual accountability. Partners can help each other maintain spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible study, worship), confront sinful tendencies, and enhance discernment through shared insights and prayer.
• Biblical Basis (Proverbs 27:17) — As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
• Assessment Questions — Am I paired up with people that promote growth in me? Do I encourage the person that I serve with in their commitment to Christ? Am I willing to serve with people who will challenge my ideas, disagree with my position, or gently critique my conduct?
• Action Steps — Assess your ministry partners to make sure that you are not choosing people on the basis that they are always agreeable. Recognize the value in working with people that will promote growth even when it means some painful honesty.

Division of Labor and Diverse Gifts

• The Principle — Different individuals bring different spiritual gifts and abilities to ministry. By pairing disciples, these diverse gifts can complement each other, making the ministry more effective and adaptable to various situations and needs.
• Biblical Basis (1 Corinthians 12:4-6) — There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
• Assessment Question — In the group that I “go” with (Matthew 28:18-20), is their a diversity of gifts? What would it look like to pair up with someone whose gifts are not the same as my own?
• Action Steps — Take an inventory of spiritual gifts for yourself and the people that you ministry with. Prayerfully consider recruiting to fill gaps.

Take your ministry to another level by pairing. If you are currently doing it alone, what you do for the Lord could be better with the help of other people that also want to live effectively in the service of Jeus.

In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.

References

Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Polhill, John B. (1992). The New American Commentary: Acts. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.