Common question from the field of leadership studies

“Are leaders born or made?”

How are leaders identified and put into positions within the church?

Big Idea:

The Holy Spirit identifies and empowers leaders for service and mission.

While Acts 4 tells us the church held ‘all things in common’ and ‘distributed to anyone who had need’ (4:32, 35) … Acts 6 still happened! 

-Justo Gonzalez

Considering Problems & Complaints

A matter of:

1.Preference

2.Conviction

3.Justice

In Acts 6 the Holy Spirit identifies leaders for service by others watching them.

Vs. 3 – who are known (NIV)

     - men of good repute (ESV)

     - whom everyone trusts (MSG)

The Spirit’s movement in Acts 6:1-7:

Legitimate complaints

Commissioning of Leaders

Many Conversions

How the Spirit works:

Moving people…

  out of seats into service.

  from being watchers to workers.

How do I find my place to serve?

1.Pray for the Spirit to direct you.

2.Know how you are gifted.

3.Receive resources and wisdom from your leadership.