Growing Pains

Growth Is a Blessing—And a Challenge

Church growth sounds exciting—until it gets messy. As the early church rapidly multiplied, real problems began to surface. Needs were overlooked. People complained. Tensions rose. Sound familiar? Growth isn’t always glamorous, but it is essential to God’s mission. In Acts 6, the church isn’t just adding numbers—it’s multiplying disciples. But with that multiplication came the realities of limited resources, strained leadership, and human imperfection. The lesson? Growth is both a blessing and a burden, and we need spiritual maturity to walk through both.

Conflict Doesn’t Mean Failure

Spirit-led growth happens when everyone plays a part, serving together with unity, purpose, and a shared commitment to the mission of Jesus.

The early church faced complaints from the Greek-speaking believers who felt their widows were being neglected. This wasn’t just an administrative error—it exposed deeper cultural and relational tensions. But instead of ignoring the issue or spiritualizing it away, the apostles responded with wisdom. They acknowledged the problem and acted decisively by empowering others to help carry the load. Conflict didn’t signal failure; it was an opportunity to strengthen the community through trust and shared responsibility. The church didn’t splinter—it unified through healthy delegation.

Shared Leadership Fuels the Mission

The apostles didn’t try to do everything. They knew their calling was to preach and pray, not micromanage every detail. That’s not pride—it’s clarity. By raising up a new group of leaders to meet tangible needs, the apostles made space for the entire body to function. Seven men, culturally connected and spiritually qualified, were chosen to serve the people with care. This model of shared ministry wasn’t a detour from mission—it was a direct path to sustain it. The result? The Word of God continued to spread, and more lives were changed.

Prayer Keeps Us Grounded

One of the most powerful lessons in this passage is the centrality of prayer. The apostles protected time to pray because they knew their strength didn’t come from their systems, strategies, or skills—it came from God. Ministry without prayer quickly turns into burnout or pride. But when prayer is prioritized, it aligns hearts with heaven and empowers everything else we do. Whether you’re preaching, stacking chairs, leading a group, or checking in new families, you’re on the frontlines of a spiritual mission. Prayer is the fuel. Without it, we miss the point.

Church growth will always come with complexity. But when we respond with prayer, unity, and a willingness to share the load, we create space for God to do even more than we imagined. This week, consider where you might be called to serve—not just to help, but to advance the mission. Because the mission of multiplication is not just for pastors or staff—it’s for all of us. And God will continue to grow His church when we commit to doing our part, together.

— AARON DININNY

[Multiply] Executive Director