Church Hurt
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Acts 6:1
Maybe your are familiar with the term “church hurt”? Hopefully it has never happened to you personally, but I would guess that most of us have known someone who has experienced it. It is a sad thing to happen and especially when it is so unnecessary.
I have just recently had a situation occur where I felt that I had inadvertently “church hurt” someone when my real efforts were actually trying to head in the opposite direction. I felt as if I was on the offensive side of the “church hurt”. Let me explain. While working with other believers on setting up a new ministry within the church to reach a hurting group in our community, there were quite a few different expectations of how the set up would play out. Because I was heading up the project, and even though I was trying to incorporate every member of the team’s ideas, there were some that were disappointed and because of that they lost interest in going on with the ministry. It broke my heart and especially to think that I had hurt these dear souls that so desperately wanted to help those in need around us. Thankfully after much prayer and some time, God brought the team back together so that we could move forward with the ministry and begin this outreach that He had dropped into our hearts.
In today’s reading, a similar thing was happening. Because the apostles were basically in charge of the new church, the new believers were looking to them to provide and care for each person as the church was growing. With the numbers that were coming in, this was an impossible task for them to accomplish. They could not keep up and it wasn’t long before some groups were offended and hurt. When they expressed their concerns, the apostles listened and used wisdom to appoint others to serve and care for those needing help as the church grew. It was a supernatural solution and one that kept the church from splitting, at least at that time.
The point is, whether you are on the hurt side or the hurting side, sometime “church hurt” will happen but there is a supernatural solution available. Don’t just leave without trying to work out a solution and don’t end relationships without seeking first the wisdom of God.
Today I want to encourage you to be aware of those you are doing ministry with. Recognize differences as opportunities to bring many ideas together to work into a better solution. If your ideas are not readily accepted, don’t get upset or quit the team. Stay the course and be faithful in what God has you involve in right now. If you are genuinely mistreated, you can still be the bigger of the relationship and try to talk things out in a grown-up way without getting emotional. Seek the wisdom of God and when you grow through differences, you will be a valuable asset to the mission that He has called you to. Realize that ministry is not about you, you are simply there to serve in any way possible. Ministry is about others so next time you are focused on your hurt feelings and disappointments, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what is most important in the situation. He will give you wisdom and insight and you will experience His peace no matter what the outcome brings.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 6:1-7
1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
The Daily Dose 