Deacons and the Early Church
This week on Cultivate, we explore how the early church navigated growth, practical needs, and cultural tension in Acts 6–8. The conversation centers on the appointment of seven leaders—those who would later be known as deacons—to address a problem of bias in the daily care of widows from different backgrounds. This moment, born out of necessity rather than grand strategy, ended up shaping church leadership for centuries.
We discuss why the distinction between Hebraic and Hellenistic Jews mattered, how growing pains led to new roles, and what it means that serving and teaching became distinct but equally Spirit-filled callings. We also look at Stephen and Philip, two of the seven, whose ministries went far beyond their original assignments—Stephen becoming the first Christian martyr, and Philip sharing the gospel across cultural boundaries.
This episode gets practical about how churches today handle real needs and serve a diverse community, showing that many of our challenges—and creative solutions—aren't that different from those in the early church.
Creators and Guests
