Growing Pains: How Churches Should Handle Conflict and Growth

When a church experiences growth, it often faces new challenges. Just like a child experiencing growing pains, these challenges can be uncomfortable but are ultimately signs of health. In Acts 6:1-7, we see the early church facing its first major internal conflict - a situation that, if handled poorly, could have torn the young community apart.

What causes conflict in growing churches?

The early church in Jerusalem had grown from 120 believers at Pentecost to possibly 20,000 within just a year or two. This explosive growth brought diversity and complexity. The church consisted of two main groups:

A complaint arose from the Hellenistic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food and resources. This wasn't a petty complaint - in a society without social security or pensions, widows were extremely vulnerable. The church had taken responsibility for caring for these women, but cultural differences had created an inequity.

How should church leaders address legitimate complaints?

The apostles' response provides a masterclass in problem-solving within the church:

1. Commit to Gospel Unity

The apostles didn't ignore the problem or dismiss it as insignificant. They recognized that even seemingly small issues can become like fault lines - harmless on the surface but potentially devastating if pressure builds.

Instead of handling it privately, they "summoned the whole company of disciples" (Acts 6:2). They recognized that:

2. Commit to Gospel Advancement

The apostles understood the importance of right prioritization. They stated, "It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables" (Acts 6:2).

This wasn't because serving widows was beneath them or unimportant. Rather, they recognized:

The apostles proposed selecting seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, to oversee this ministry. Remarkably, all seven men chosen had Greek names, suggesting they were Hellenistic Jews - the very group that felt marginalized. This shows the church prioritizing others' needs above their own preferences.

3. Commit to Gospel Ministry

The passage uses the Greek word "diakonia" (service/ministry) to describe both the "daily distribution" (v.1) and the "ministry of the Word" (v.4). This reveals an important truth: gospel ministry encompasses much more than just preaching.

The church recognized that:

The key isn't determining which ministry is most important, but being faithful to what God has called you to do. As Ephesians 4:12 reminds us, the saints (all believers) are responsible for the ministry of the church.

What happens when churches handle conflict well?

The results were remarkable. Acts 6:7 tells us:

When a church commits to gospel unity, gospel advancement, and gospel ministry, it inevitably leads to gospel growth.

Life Application

The early church's example challenges us to consider our own approach to church problems and ministry. Healthy churches don't ask "Should I serve?" but rather "Where can I serve?"

Ask yourself:

Remember Jesus' example - though he deserved to be served, he came as a servant. He taught that true greatness comes through service. When we follow this pattern, addressing problems with humility and everyone doing their part, the church thrives and the gospel advances.

This week, identify one practical way you can serve your church family. Remember that not everyone has the same job, but everyone has a job in God's kingdom work.