What is ministry?
Acts 6:1-7
By Ysrael De la Cruz
Last week during our Bible study at 10 am, we discussed this notion of ministry. Perhaps you have heard the word ministry a lot, but do not quite understand its meaning. The word ministry means service. (diaconesai) to serve Mark 10:45 Jesus said he did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
but to serve, διακονῆσαι
(diakonēsai) 1247: to serve, minister
from diakonos

The word serve is to minister. Jesus did not come to be ministered to, but to minister.
The Bible tells us that in the body of Christ, the church, there are varieties of gifts and varieties of services.
1 Corinthians 12: 4-5 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;
The word service here too is (diaconion); ministry, service.

How many ministries are there in a church? It depends, there are different kinds of services in a congregation. (varieties of ministries in a church)

Ministries or services in a church are birthed out of needs that arise.
When the church began at the preaching of the apostles, it was mainly Jewish, but many more people were joining the community. A community of thousands of people will have lots of needs and out of those needs, ministries arise.
Acts 6:1-7
Luke tells us that when the number of disciples was increasing, when the church was growing there was a complaint by the Hellenists (Greek Speaking Jews) against the Hebrews (Hebrew speaking Jews) because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. (distribution of food).
This was the first church conflict in the first century church. This problem had the potential to split the church; it could have become racial in nature. It was a huge problem. Some people complained that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.
With great growth will come greater challenges. (With great power comes great responsibility)
This issue needed the attention of the apostles before it would escalate.
The apostles were the shepherds of the church. They were responsible for the spiritual health of this new community. As church leaders, they needed to move into action to resolve this conflict. They recognized the severity of this conflict and moved into action.

Handling the problem: (v.2)
The apostles called the church (the disciples) together.
The apostles recognized the severity of the issue. It would also distract them from the main mission.
“It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. (It is not right that we give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” (ESV) “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. (NLT)
(v.2) Serve tables (diaconen) This was a ministry

First, the apostles identified their main priority. The preaching and teaching of God’s word. They told the church they had no desire to abandon the preaching in order to serve also in the ministry of food distribution.
Preaching and teaching was their main priority: In a Christ-centered church the preaching and teaching of God’s word must be the main priority. Everything else comes after that.
Without the proclamation and teaching of God’s words disciples are not developed.

The suggestion to handle the conflict: (v.3)
Choose seven men from among you: men of good reputation (Good testimony) (known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. Being full of the Spirit and being wise are evident qualities in a person.
These men were to manage this task (We will turn this responsibility over to them (v.3)). These seven men will oversee the ministry of distribution of food. (Food pantry ministry).
The apostles would give their attention to prayer and the preaching of the word. (v.4) We will attend constantly or persist in prayer and the preaching of the gospel.
This was approved by the church, and they selected seven men to take care of the ministry of food distribution. Stephen: (a man full of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus from Antioch a convert to Judaism.
These men were presented to the apostles who prayed and laid their hands on them. (v.6)
The apostles prayed for these ministry leaders and their ministry. Everyone in the church knew who was overseeing the food distribution ministry. Any complaint would arise, and they will go to any of the seven selected to handle this ministry.

The outcome of the apostles’ decision? (7)
God blessed their decision:
The word of God continued to spread (to be taught and preached); more people were becoming disciples, even some Jewish priests received the gospel of Jesus. More growth and new challenges would come ahead.

The ministry of food distribution grew due to the increase of disciples in the first century; but there was a team of people overseeing this ministry.
A church may have a great number of ministries or services. (praise and worship, teaching ministries, financial ministry, homeless ministry, recovery ministry, jail ministry, outreach ministry, cleaning ministry, building maintenance , food pantry, missions ministry, and so forth). But not all the ministries would last forever in a church. Sometimes God may call you to a different ministry.
Sometimes people who begin a ministry die or moved and there is not one else to carry it; they come to an end. and it’s ok.

The ministry of food distribution lasted until the severe persecution broke out and people had to be mobilized. Stephen was murdered, Philip and the rest had to leave. Those who stayed in Jerusalem were arrested (Acts 8). God allowed this to happen to mobilize the church from becoming inwardly focused.

We have all been called to ministry, to serve in different areas in the body of Christ. You are all servants, ministers of God and he provides opportunities for you to serve. Therefore, in whatever areas you are serving, do it with all your heart.
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

May Jesus be the motivation for your service, for everything you do. You are serving God and he will reward your service.