Empowered Collaboration: Building a Thriving Church Community

Devotional

Day 1: Collaboration for Kingdom Growth

Collaboration is teaming up to reach a common goal by sharing ideas, skills, and effort for better results. In the early church, as described in Acts 6, collaboration was essential when the church faced challenges due to rapid growth and cultural differences. The apostles and the congregation worked together, listened to concerns, and found a solution that allowed the church to continue growing and meeting needs. This spirit of working together, valuing each person’s contribution, and seeking the greater good is what led to the multiplication of disciples and the spread of the gospel. When the church collaborates, it becomes a powerful force for God’s kingdom. [03:52]

Acts 6:1-7 (ESV)
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Reflection: Where in your life or church community do you see an opportunity to team up with others for a greater impact, and what is one step you can take this week to initiate or strengthen that collaboration?

Day 2: Listening and Learning in Community

True collaboration begins with a willingness to listen and learn from others. The apostles in Acts 6 did not dismiss the concerns of the Hellenist believers but instead gathered everyone to hear the issue and seek a solution together. Proverbs reminds us that answering before listening is folly and shame, and that wise people are always open to learning and guidance. In the church, being available, open-minded, and humble enough to admit we don’t know everything creates an environment where everyone’s voice matters and God’s wisdom can be discerned. [08:39]

Proverbs 18:13 (ESV)
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

Proverbs 1:5 (ESV)
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.

Reflection: Think of a recent disagreement or decision—how can you intentionally listen to someone else’s perspective this week before offering your own thoughts or solutions?

Day 3: Empathy and Considering the “Blast Zone”

Collaboration requires not only listening but also feeling what others feel—empathy. Philippians 2 calls us to count others as more significant than ourselves and to look out for their interests. In church life, this means being sensitive to how our words and actions affect others, considering the “blast zone” before we speak or act. Sometimes, what seems like a small decision or careless word can have a big impact on someone else. By seeking to understand and care about what others are experiencing, we build a community where people feel valued and heard. [14:39]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Reflection: Who in your church or family might be affected by a decision or change you’re involved in—can you reach out to them this week and ask how they feel about it?

Day 4: Willingness to Work and Serve

Collaboration is not just about ideas and feelings—it’s about action. The early church members were all invested, ready to work hard, and willing to contribute their time and talents. Jesus set the ultimate example of servanthood, teaching that greatness comes through serving others. When everyone in the church asks, “What can I do to help?” and is willing to put in the effort, the whole body is strengthened and needs are met. Serving together is how the church becomes the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. [16:20]

Matthew 20:26-28 (ESV)
But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can offer your time, skills, or resources to serve someone in your church or community this week?

Day 5: Trusting Each Other in the Body of Christ

Trust is the foundation of true collaboration, but it can be difficult when we’ve been hurt or let down before. The apostles trusted the congregation to choose wise leaders, and then trusted those leaders to care for the widows. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13 that love always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Trusting others means believing the best about their motives and being willing to give responsibility, even when it feels risky. When we trust each other, we reflect the trust that Jesus showed to his disciples, and we create a church where people can grow and serve together. [18:50]

1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV)
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Reflection: Is there someone in your church or life you’ve been hesitant to trust—what is one step you can take to extend trust or give them a chance this week?

Sermon Summary

Collaboration is at the heart of a thriving church community. When faced with challenges—whether it’s a shrinking Vacation Bible School or the need to serve a growing and diverse congregation—God’s people are called to work together for the greater good. The story of the Plano and Sugar Grove churches illustrates how humility and openness to change can lead to new, fruitful ministries. By replacing VBS with a soccer camp, the church not only preserved its outreach but expanded its impact, showing that when we team up, share our gifts, and pursue a common goal, the results can be far better than what we could achieve alone.

Acts 6 provides a powerful example of collaboration in the early church. As the number of disciples grew, so did the complexity of their needs. When the Greek-speaking widows were overlooked in the daily distribution of food, the apostles didn’t ignore the complaint or dismiss the people. Instead, they listened, empathized, and invited the whole community into the solution. They recognized that while the core doctrines of the faith are non-negotiable, many issues require open hearts and minds, a willingness to learn, and a readiness to adapt.

True collaboration requires more than just hearing each other out. It means feeling what others feel—empathizing with their discomfort and concerns, especially when growth or change makes things uneasy. It also means being willing to work, not just expecting others to solve problems, but asking, “What can I contribute?” Jesus modeled this servant-hearted approach, calling us to serve rather than be served.

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of collaboration is trust. Trusting others, especially after being let down, is difficult. Yet, the apostles trusted the community to choose wise leaders, and then trusted those leaders to serve well. This trust was rooted in the recognition of the Spirit’s work in people’s lives. When we trust Spirit-filled people, we reflect the trust Jesus showed his disciples—even after their failures.

Collaboration is not just a strategy; it’s a spiritual discipline that leads to kingdom growth. When God’s people listen, empathize, work, and trust each other, the Word of God increases, disciples multiply, and even unlikely people are drawn to faith. The story of this congregation is a testament to the power of collaboration—may we continue to pursue it for the glory of God and the growth of his kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. Listening is foundational to collaboration. The apostles in Acts 6 didn’t dismiss complaints or assume they knew best; they made space to truly hear the concerns of others. In the church, listening well means valuing others’ perspectives and being open to learning, even when it challenges our assumptions. An ounce of what is written in God’s Word outweighs a ton of personal opinion, but wise leaders know when to listen and when to stand firm. [08:00]
2. Empathy transforms conflict into growth. When the church faced discomfort due to growth and change, the leaders chose to feel what others felt rather than ignore or minimize their pain. True empathy means treating others’ concerns as our own, considering the “blast zone” of our decisions, and seeking to understand before being understood. This Christlike humility is essential for unity and effective ministry. [10:10]
3. Collaboration demands active participation from everyone. It’s not enough to point out problems or expect leaders to fix everything; each person must ask, “What can I do?” The early church’s solution required everyone to invest, work hard, and contribute their gifts. Servant-heartedness, modeled by Jesus, is the engine of genuine collaboration and church health. [16:20]
4. Trust is the glue that holds collaboration together. Trusting others, especially after being hurt, is risky but necessary for the church to flourish. The apostles trusted the community to choose leaders and then trusted those leaders to serve faithfully, reflecting the trust Jesus placed in his disciples. Trusting Spirit-filled people, even when it’s hard, is an act of faith that enables the church to move forward together. [18:50]
5. Kingdom growth is the fruit of collaboration. When the church listens, empathizes, works, and trusts, the Word of God spreads and disciples multiply—even among unlikely groups. Failure to collaborate leads to stagnation and decline, but embracing collaboration as a spiritual discipline brings new life and gospel impact. The story of this congregation’s renewal is a living example of what God can do when his people work together. [20:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:19] - The Story of Plano and Sugar Grove
[03:09] - The Power of Collaboration
[03:52] - Defining Collaboration
[04:42] - Acts 6: The First Church Collaboration
[06:05] - Growth Brings New Challenges
[07:02] - Core Doctrines vs. Gray Areas
[08:00] - The Importance of Listening
[08:39] - Learning and Wisdom in Leadership
[09:37] - Empathy and the “Blast Zone”
[12:10] - Considering the Impact of Our Actions
[13:31] - Words that Heal vs. Words that Harm
[14:39] - Willingness to Work and Serve
[16:20] - Everyone’s Role in Collaboration
[17:02] - The Challenge of Trust
[18:50] - Trusting Motives and Spirit-Filled People
[20:59] - Collaboration Leads to Kingdom Growth
[22:02] - Encouragement to Keep Collaborating

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 6:1-7 (ESV) — Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) — Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV) — Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Observation Questions

In Acts 6:1-7, what specific problem did the early church face, and how did the apostles respond to it?
According to Philippians 2:3-4, what attitude are believers called to have toward one another?
In the sermon, what was the result of the Plano church replacing VBS with a soccer camp? [[01:19]]
What qualities did the apostles look for in the seven men chosen to serve the widows? (Acts 6:3)

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the apostles involved the whole community in solving the problem with the widows, instead of just making a decision themselves? [[04:42]]
The sermon mentions that “an ounce of what is written in God’s Word outweighs a ton of personal opinion.” How does this principle help guide collaboration in the church? [[08:00]]
How does empathy, as described in Philippians 2:3-4 and the sermon, help transform conflict or discomfort in the church into opportunities for growth? [[10:10]]
The sermon says that trust is “the glue that holds collaboration together.” What makes trust so difficult, especially after being hurt, and how does 1 Corinthians 13:7 challenge us in this area? [[18:50]]

Application Questions

The apostles listened to the concerns of the Greek-speaking widows instead of dismissing them. Think of a time when you felt unheard in a group or church setting. How did it affect you? How can you help create a culture of listening in our church? [[08:00]]
The sermon talks about considering the “blast zone” of our decisions—how our choices affect others. Is there a recent decision you made (at church, work, or home) where you didn’t consider the impact on others? What would you do differently now? [[12:10]]
Collaboration means asking, “What can I contribute?” instead of just pointing out problems. What is one area in our church where you could step in and help, even if it’s outside your comfort zone? [[16:20]]
Trusting others, especially after being let down, is hard. Is there someone in the church or your life whom you struggle to trust? What would it look like to take a small step toward rebuilding trust, as the apostles did? [[18:50]]
The sermon says that collaboration is a spiritual discipline that leads to kingdom growth. What is one practical way you can practice collaboration this week—with your family, at work, or in church? [[20:59]]
The story of the Plano and Sugar Grove churches shows that being open to change can lead to new, fruitful ministries. Is there a tradition or ministry you hold tightly to? How can you be more open to change if it means greater impact for God’s kingdom? [[01:19]]
Jesus modeled servant-hearted leadership. What is one way you can serve someone else this week, putting their needs ahead of your own? [[15:42]]

Sermon Clips

The Word of God for us today is the final word. And sometimes, discussions and decisions fall into the gray areas, but the core doctrines of the church cannot be compromised. We believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation, we believe that that comes through the cross, through his blood, his death, and his resurrection. We believe that we are saved by grace through faith. And that is something that we're not going to give up on. [00:07:02] (31 seconds) #UncompromisingFaith

An ounce of what is written outweighs a ton of I think. And people can think whatever they want to. And when the Word of God speaks, that's what we go with. So when we talk about collaboration, we're not talking about the core doctrines of the church. [00:07:48] (16 seconds) #ScriptureOverOpinion

What a terrible thing, what terrible things would have happened if the leaders didn't take the time to listen. If the leaders made it clear that they weren't going to take the time to listen, but they did listen, and the church grew. [00:08:58] (16 seconds) #ListeningLeadsToGrowth

Growth is good, and when kids grow, clothes and shoes become uncomfortable, and that's kind of what's happening in Acts chapter 6. The church was growing, the needs changed, and it was a little bit uncomfortable until they came up with a resolution. [00:09:48] (15 seconds) #GrowthBringsChange

We need to think before we speak. We need to avoid blurting the first thing that we think or feel. We need to tame our tongues. And, you know, we can't dismiss people with things like, you know, you're just overreacting. We can't give in to all this touchy-feely stuff. Enough drama already. Instead, we need to say, okay, talk to me. Let me know how this is affecting you. Let me know about you. Let me feel what you're feeling. [00:14:25] (30 seconds) #SpeakWithCare

Jesus laid out the example of being a servant. No matter what he did, he was serving. In Matthew 20, verse 26, he said, whoever would be great among you must be your servant. And whoever would be first among you must be your slave. Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. [00:15:59] (22 seconds) #ServantLeadership

In Acts chapter 6, all the people were collaborators. Now the apostles worked to come up with a plan. They said, hey, we're all going to own this. We're all going to be part of the solution. Now you get to work and find leaders for this ministry. So the people worked hard to find seven leaders. And the seven leaders worked hard to care for the widows equitably. And they all worked. They all were ready to put in the time and the sacrifice. They all lent their talent. They were ready to do their part. They were ready to get to work. [00:16:20] (34 seconds) #SharedResponsibility

The apostles trusted the people to choose the best leaders for taking care of the widows. And then the people presented those seven leaders and the apostles trusted them. Seven leaders to take care of the widows. Trust. [00:17:12] (16 seconds) #TrustedLeaders

You should trust people's motives. That's hard, isn't it? 1 Corinthians 13, 7, love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. That's from the love chapter. Now, people think the love chapter, that the Holy Spirit put it in the Bible so it could be read at weddings, no, in reality, the love chapter is in the context of the church people getting along, gifted people exercising their gifts, and that's what the love chapter is about when it says love is patient, love is kind, etc. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. This isn't about rainbows and unicorns. It's about spiritually gifted people trying to get along with each other. And trust is a huge part of that. [00:19:04] (52 seconds) #LoveBuildsTrust

Keep collaborating. Keep listening. Keep feeling what others feel. Keep working. Keep trusting each other. Why? So that the word of God might increase. So that the number of disciples in this flock will multiply. And so that unlikely groups in Jerusalem, the priest in Jerusalem, might become obedient to the faith. [00:22:26] (22 seconds) #FailureToCollaborate

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