Theology of Congregational Care
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be the only milk cow in the pasture. And because others were having their needs met, he would actually enjoy, not dread, hearing someone say, “Pastor, could you help me with something?�
Leading Congregational Care There is one more similarity shared between Acts 6 and Exodus 18. Both accounts emphasize that the leading helpers need to be men of character and capability. Jethro instructed Moses to look for men of truth who feared God and hated covetousness (Ex. 18:21). The apostles told the people to look for men full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3). There is an important principle to remember. Though every believer is to share the responsibilities in caring for others, those with additional responsibilities must bring more to the table. You may remember that Jethro told Moses to give individuals responsibilities according to their abilities to fulfill them. This is why Moses charged some to care for only ten or more, while others could care for hundreds or even thousands (Ex. 18:21). This is likely the principle the apostles applied when they asked the people to select deacons to care for the needs of the widows. Can you imagine how many widows there would be in a church with 10,000 active members? Yet the apostles selected only seven men to meet this need. The apostles possibly thought seven would be enough if those seven enlisted and equipped others to help. That is why the apostles needed to be sure that the original seven were men of