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From one of my many study Bibles on Acts 6:1-15Empowering Leadership In Acts 6:1-15 the new Christian community faced a crisis of leadership. The Hellenists, the Greek-speaking Jews in Jerusalem, were upset because the needs of their widows were being overlooked "in the daily distribution of food" (6:1).This disruption threatened the development of the Church with "rumblings of discontent" (6:1) and had to be seriously addressed. Wisely, the apostles recognized the problem (6:2-3) and called for the selection of seven men to administer the food program (6:5-6). Many interpreters see the seven as the first deacons (see note on 6:2-6). The apostles provided empowering leadership by sensitively listening to genuine community needs. This wise handling of the issue, with the united, responsible action of both people and leaders, resulted in spiritual growth and increased the number of believers (6:7). Different gifts were recognized in the Church and put to work for the common good (see 1 Cor 12:4-11;1 Pet 4:10-11). A clear division of labor was agreed upon, with the apostles attending to preaching and teaching, and the material needs of the people being handled by other Spirit-filled leaders. Every believer has the opportunity to exercise some kind of ministry. This usefulness of every Christian in the service of God is sometimes called the "priesthood of all believers" (1 Pet 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6; 5:10; see Exod 19:6; Isa 61:6; Rev 20:6). Not everyone has the same role (1 Cor 12:12-31), but all have the same calling to use their gifts in God's service. God has given the Church its leaders, not to "lord it over" other people, but to serve the community (Matt 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 22:25-27; 1 Pet 5:2). The leaders of the church do well when they recognize both the needs of the community and those whom God has prepared to meet those needs. Good leaders recognize gitfted people and help them develop, empowering the members of the body to use their God-given gifts (Eph 4:11-12).