Acts 6

When a church grows, it will face problems. And very often, people will take side based on the language and background. It is what happens in Acts 6:1. To solve this problem, deacons are set up in the church. (Technically, this 7 people are precursor of deacon). We can learn church’s structure in this chapter. The function of deacon is to help the leaders of the church so that they can focus on praying and preaching (Acts 6:4). The nature of their job is administration (Acts 6:2). They are elected by the congregation instead of appointed by the leaders (Acts 6:3). They must be spiritually mature in order to be qualified (Acts 6:3). [Notice that spiritual maturity doesn’t mean they are believers for a long time. Most of them just believe in Ch. 2]
Mike

I want to add more sharing regarding the choosing of the Seven. (1) The apostles has the authority to deal with the food problem. (Notice that the congregation comes to them to complain (Acts 6:1-2)). Long time ago I heard a brother described the job of a pastor as one who should only deal with matters in the pulpit and not anything else in the church. I disagree. The apostles give up their responsibility and pass on to the seven (Acts 6:3), not that they do not have the authority if they want to. (2) The apostles face the problem and do not avoid the issue. They know that what is right for them to do and what is not, but they still help them to set up the guideline of the election process (Acts 6:2-3). (3) Contrary to what some people think the pastor should focus only on the pulpit the apostles  give their attention to BOTH prayer and ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). 

Audrey