In Depth:  Ray Evans

We have seen that growth can bring problems. But help is at hand!

Acts 6 and problem solving

Here is a classic combination — growth and grumbling (v.1)! An issue of complexity has led to a potentially disastrous situation. It’s what the apostles do about it that’s so helpful. First, they set priorities for themselves and the church (vv.2,4). You’ll notice that word and deed both have to be carried out by the church. They invent a solution and initiate a plan. This is not ‘steamrollered’ through but they gain the ownership of the whole church (v.3). A team is identified, and then publicly empowered for the task (vv.5,6). The result is... more growth — both in quantity and ‘quality’ (v.7).

Previously we have thought about the way a larger church is a more complicated animal which tends to have more pastoral problems and different expectations of those in leadership.

But these are not the only pressures which go with growth.

Let’s start with a quote from Tim Keller.

‘One of the most common reasons for pastoral leadership mistakes is blindness to the significance of church size. Size has an enormous impact on how a church functions. There is a “size culture” that profoundly affects how decisions are made, how relationships flow, how effectiveness is evaluated, what its ministers, staff, and lay leaders do. We tend to think of the chief differences between churches mainly in denominational or theological terms, but that underestimates the impact of size on how church operates.’

Acts 6 flags up to us that growth may be attended by pressures that could seriously effect the wellbeing of a local church (cf Acts 6.1). Stott argues that this represents one of the three great satanic counterattacks on the fledgling church — to fail to overcome these problems would be as bad as to wilt under persecution (Acts 4) or cave into compromise (Acts 5). Any reader, recalling the first exodus of the Old Testament, would hear a chilling word (‘grumbling’), and worry that complaints about food would now ruin the new work of God. Such pressures cannot be ignored!

Project 229 is an exciting community development in the Kempston part of Bedford which Grace Community Church (formerly Kempston Evangelical Church) has the privilege of being involved in.

Clifton Ibbett, a local Christian businessman, wanted to help promote community life in the town and came up with the initiative of turning a defunct launderette into an asset for the benefit of all. He offered to buy and renovate the premises if another organisation would be responsible for managing the centre.

I was suspicious, I was sceptical. Of whom? Of what? Bill Hybels, and Willow Creek conferences!

All that I had picked up on the evangelical grapevine told me, 'There's lots to shun and little to learn from this US export'. I picked up my first Hybels book, Becoming a Contagious Christian, with more than a degree of concern. I just knew it was going to be slick; surely it was the 'how to build a super-church the easy way?'

Sadly 'Can't train, won't train' summarises what many ministers feel about developing the next generation of church leaders. But it needn't stay like that . . .

There is a wealth of encouragement in the Scriptures that point towards a much more positive approach. An increasing number of ministers are getting involved and passing on their insights and experiences (see, for example, The Briefing No. 218).