1. CHURCH STRUCTURE MATTERS ACTS 6:1-7

2. Churches develop patterns of how we do things (structure)

3. Structure can be beautiful

4. Structure can be beneficial

5. Structure can be both

6. CHURCH STRUCTURE MATTERS Churches structure can be helpful or feel like a big cat fight… Tennessee 1985 Georgia 2005

7. We are sorry if your experience with church has seemed like a cat fight!

8. May God keep our fighting spirit very small at Valley Community Church!

9. The church’s first steps in structure were very helpful!

10. ACTS 6:1-2a 6:1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together.

11. CHURCH STRUCTURE MATTERS 1. Because people matter 5:1-2 Structure was needed Because of growing cultural diversity (Hellenistic & Hebraic Jews) That increased misunderstandings, which could fertilize a bitter root. Heb. 12:15

12. How is bitterness like a flying squirrel? It can be destructive before you know it’s there.

13. The Apostles addressed the problem before it became too big to handle.

14. ACTS 6:2b-4 The Apostles said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

15. CHURCH STRUCTURE MATTERS 1. Because people matter 5:1-2 2. And priorities matter 5:2-4 The Apostles viewed work biblically Work was God-given Gen 2:15 God positions people Eph 2:10 Apostles = prayer & teaching They valued physical ministries

16. CHURCH STRUCTURE MATTERS Notice what they did not do… They didn’t scold the Hellenistic Jews for complaining. Correcting them publically would shut down communication. They fixed the problem not the blame.

17. Proverbs 19:11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense

18. CHURCH STRUCTURE MATTERS They proposed a way forward through shared decision-making

19. ACTS 6:5-6 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

20. CHURCH STRUCTURE MATTERS 1. Because people matter 5:1-2 2. And priorities matter 5:2-4 3. We responsibly share in decisions 5-6 4. So growth continues unhindered 6:7

21. ACTS 6:7 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

22. CHURCH STRUCTURE MATTERS The young Jerusalem church found ways to maintain their unity as they ministered to physical and spiritual needs. This allowed teaching and evangelism to be effective and the kingdom of God spreads into new social groups.

23. CHURCH STRUCTURE MATTERS Church structure can facilitate shared decision- making and ministry. Teaching (elders) and meeting physical needs (deacons) are both essential. They are like the wings on an airplane, you need them both!

25. Heavenly Father, keep our fighting spirit very small at Valley Community Church!

26. Help VCC Patterns to be beneficial and beautiful

27. We are one in the bond of love We have joined our spirit with the Spirit of God We are one in the bond of love

28. Let us sing now everyone, Let us feel His bond of love, Let us join our hands that the world will know We are one in the bond of love