The book of Acts gives us glimpses into the early church—those chaotic, passionate, Spirit-driven days when the followers of Jesus were trying to figure out what it meant to be a community shaped by resurrection hope. In Acts 6:1–7, we see the fledgling Christian community confronted with a very human problem: some people’s needs were being overlooked. When I sent out my midweek message, I told you that something immediately jumped out at me, I wonder if the same thing jumped out at any of you.

Let’s listen to this brief glimpse of the early unfolding in Acts 6: 1-7

6 Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. 2 And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Therefore, brothers and sisters, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, 4 while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” 5 What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.7 The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Anyone guess what jumped out at me? It’s verse 3: Therefore, brothers and sisters, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task. 😉 So there were men and women in the gathered community, but only the men were chosen… hmm… that ever happen anywhere else?

To return to the whole passage, the Greek-speaking widows weren’t receiving the same daily support as the Hebrew-speaking ones. In our contemporary language, this is a story about systemic bias. It’s about a structure that, unintentionally or not, was failing to serve the whole community equally. Even among those who believed in Jesus, inequality crept in. What the apostles do next is striking—not because it’s dramatic, but because it’s wise. Rather than clinging to control, they invite the community to discern seven people who are “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” (Only men of course!) These individuals are commissioned to ensure that the daily distribution of food is done fairly. The apostles affirm that their role is to focus on “prayer and the ministry of the word,” and the new leaders are commissioned for their own distinct ministry.

This is one of the first recorded moments of decentralized ministry in the Christian tradition. It’s a turning point. And it has a vital message for us today: we are all equipped for something. Those early leaders recognize that caring for the poor and marginalized is not beneath them—but it is not theirs to do alone. They understand that different gifts are needed to meet different needs. The Spirit doesn’t call everyone to do everything, but it does call everyone to do something. In this moment, the early church learns to trust that God has already equipped others in their midst with what is needed.

That’s a liberating message, especially in a time when so many people feel overwhelmed, burned out, or unsure of how they fit in a world full of pressing needs. In our time, many congregations in the United Church face their own “Acts 6” moments: questions of how to serve well, how to include all, how to share leadership in shrinking or changing communities. The temptation can be to turn inward, to rely on a few, to focus only on survival. But Acts 6 invites us to imagine something different. What if our challenges are not signs of failure, but invitations to faithfulness? What if the people we think of as “recipients” are actually being called into leadership? What if God is not finished equipping us? In a progressive church that values justice, inclusion, and shared ministry, this passage pushes us even further. It invites us to ask not only who is being overlooked? but also who needs to be empowered? Not just who will do the work? but how do we build a church where everyone’s gifts are seen, celebrated, and used for the good of all?

This isn’t just about food distribution. It’s about every ministry we do—pastoral care, community engagement governance, worship, and more. The question is not whether we have enough people or enough resources. The question is: do we trust that the Spirit has already equipped us with what we need?

There’s another critical dimension to this passage: the community doesn’t just respond to a need—they respond to injustice. The complaint from the Greek-speaking community isn’t ignored or dismissed. Instead, it’s taken seriously. The result is not only the creation of a new ministry role, but a shift in how leadership and responsibility are shared.

The United Church of Canada has committed itself to anti-racism, reconciliation, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and economic justice. But those commitments aren’t just abstract values—they must show up in the structures and practices of our communities.

Acts 6 challenges us to ask:

• Who is being overlooked in our congregations, in our communities?
• Whose voices are being heard—and whose are not?
• Do our structures reflect God’s vision of fairness and mutual care?

Just as in the early church, the work of justice begins with listening to those who are hurting. And when we listen well, we’ll likely discover people already equipped with wisdom, compassion, and courage to help lead the way. Let’s also be honest: in many small congregations, people are tired. Volunteers wear multiple hats. The same names appear again and again on sign-up sheets and committee rosters. So the idea that “everyone is equipped for something” might feel like one more expectation, one more demand. But that’s not what this story is about. This isn’t about squeezing more work out of people. It’s about sharing the load. It’s about recognizing that the Spirit is already at work in people’s lives, already stirring up gifts that need space to flourish.

Equipping means empowering. It means helping people discern where their passions and strengths align with the world’s needs. It means letting go of the idea that only certain kinds of work are “spiritual.” It means trusting that the Spirit calls and equips people in unexpected ways, and that leadership looks different depending on who you are. You might be equipped to listen patiently, to make others feel heard. You might be equipped to notice beauty and share it through art or music. You might be equipped to organize, to connect, to advocate, to pray. You don’t have to be good at everything. You just have to trust that the Spirit has gifted you with something—and that your offering matters.

The last verse in this passage might be easy to skip over: “The word of God continued to spread; the number of disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem…” (v.7). It’s tempting to treat this as a kind of happy ending or success metric. But it’s important to see the connection: when the church shared leadership, addressed inequality, and empowered new leaders, it grew. Not necessarily in numbers alone—but in depth, in justice, in capacity.

Too often, churches seek growth through programs or marketing. But Acts suggests something different: growth comes when we trust that God is already at work in each person, and when we make space for those gifts to shine. What if our congregations were known as places where people were equipped, not just used? What if our churches became schools of discernment, places where people learn to name and nurture their spiritual gifts? What if leadership wasn’t about hierarchy but about collaboration—and liberation? This is what Acts 6 invites us into.

We are living in a time when the church is being reshaped. Many congregations are smaller than they used to be. Budgets are tighter. Buildings are aging. But none of that changes the truth of this story: the Spirit is still equipping people. Maybe we don’t need more programs. Maybe we need more trust—trust that the Spirit is calling forth something new in our midst.

This story from Acts isn’t just a moment in the early church. It’s a mirror for our own community. It invites us to ask not just what needs doing—but who is already equipped to lead us there? You are equipped for something. Not everything. But something essential. And together, in the Spirit, we have what we need.

Thanks be to God for the challenge and the opportunity, amen.

Acts 6: 1-7
May 4, 2025 – SJ