Conflicted Mission

Something to ponder today:

Could our plateaued and declining church growth be related to our pastors being conflicted in their daily work?

In other words, have we placed too much on the plates of our church leaders (i.e. business meetings, property management, personnel, program directing, etc.), when those things could easily be assigned to deacons within the church, so that our pastors can focus on evangelism, discipleship, and teaching?

I only ask this question in light of Acts 6:

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.” (Acts 6:1-4 ESV, emphasis mine)

The result of this decision by the apostles:

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.  (Acts 6:7 ESV, emphasis mine)

So, what are the implications for our churches today? Think about it.