This morning is the first in a series of 4 messages about how ministry is accomplished. My (David’s) conclusion is, ministry is best done in teams. We begin considering a story Luke tells of the early church in Acts 6. This account is a great starting point for our consideration; in coming weeks, we’ll look deeply into the Bible for deeper understanding about how and why God wants to partner with us, and how we are to partner together in ministry.
The incident in the first church in Jerusalem began with a complaint to leadership. There are many leadership and ministry lessons that can be ‘pulled’ from this recorded account in Acts 6, we’ll look at a few to begin our examination of ministry teams, and how they still apply in the 21st century … in Mimico.
sermon: Ministry is Best Done in Teams (Acts 6:1-7) with Pastor David Donaldson
We Are in This Together: A Vision for Ministry Teams
Over the past 100+ years, Mimico Baptist Church has been a place of faithful ministry, partnership with God, and community transformation. But as we look around today, it’s clear—there’s still more work to be done.
There are ministries restarting after the summer like the relaunch of our ESL (English as a Second Language) program. Led by our friends Tony and Susan, this ministry is more than just language instruction—it’s a tool for discipleship. ESL becomes a bridge, not only to English fluency but to the Gospel itself. As one missionary shared, using Bible stories to teach English in Kenya opened doors to faith in culturally respectful ways. That’s the kind of creative, contextual ministry we’re called to.
Our Purpose: Making Disciples
The Bible is clear about our purpose: to make disciples (Matthew 28:19), to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15), and to be Christ’s witnesses (Acts 1:8). But how do we do that? With discernment, creativity, and in community.
God gives us the vision, but He invites us to shape the mission. And one thing is certain; ministry is not a solo act. It’s a team effort. As the African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
The First Ministry Team: Acts 6
In Acts 6, we see the early church facing a challenge: some widows were being overlooked in the daily food distribution. The apostles didn’t ignore the issue or blame the complainers. Instead, they empowered a team to serve. This was the first recorded ministry team—seven men chosen to ensure fairness and care, while the apostles focused on prayer and teaching.
This story is more than history—it’s a model. It shows us that:
– Ministry is done best in teams.
– Leadership involves equipping others.
– The Gospel includes practical care for people’s needs.
Descriptive vs. Prescriptive
Acts tells us what happened. Paul, in Ephesians 4:12, tells us what should happen: “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Ministry teams aren’t just helpful—they’re biblical.
The Church: Then and Now
The early church was multicultural, growing, and messy. Sound familiar? As the church expanded, so did its complexity. More people meant more needs, more gifts, and more opportunities to serve. Today’s church may have more committees and org charts, but the core remains: we are one body, many parts, working together.
Looking Ahead
This message is the first in a four-part series on ministry teams. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore:
1. The Trinity as a model for ministry – how God’s own nature teaches us about teamwork.
2. Our individual roles and attitudes – what it means to commit to community.
3. Biblical characteristics of effective ministry teams – not from a corporate lens, but from Scripture.
Final Thought: One Mission, Done together
We are in this together. Our mission at Mimico Baptist Church is to be a community of Christ sharing Christ with our communities. That’s not a solo journey. It’s a long race, and we want to go far—together.
Let’s work with God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to be the body of Christ on earth.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.