We have a saying that is often repeated in our staff meetings here at Calvary. “As much as we want to grow big, we must grow small.” Church growth is a great thing. It means more people are being introduced to Jesus and hopefully growing in relationship with Him and one another.  But like many social settings, the bigger something grows, the more potential that it has to become impersonal, and people can begin to feel overlooked and unknown. We want to grow, but we want everyone who are part of the Calvary family to feel welcomed, known, and cared for. 

The church in Jerusalem ran into problems as it grew bigger and more diverse. But it was even deeper than just a church growth issue. There was favoritism for one group over another.  Hellenistic widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Hebraic Jews were not treating them as equals and were discriminating against them in favor of “their” widows.  Division, resentment, bias, discrimination, and protest had entered the church.  

Sounds a bit familiar to some of what we in the church have experienced over the last few years. When a crisis or uncertainty comes, our natural tendency is to begin forming tribes and determining what is ours and what is theirs. Who is in and who is out? Often, those who don’t look like us, think like us, talk like us, or vote like us can get overlooked, neglected, or dismissed. 

What would it look like for you to walk in compassion and move toward people who aren’t a part of your natural tribe and, like Stephen, serve them full of faith and the Holy Spirit?