Heroes: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistrySample

LEADERSHIP: MEN OF CYPRUS AND CYRENE

It is human nature to prefer the company of people just like you. Your tribe is a powerful organizing force. Much of the time this isn't a bad thing – professional associations, moms' playgroups, and sports activities thrive on people's similar needs and abilities.

It becomes a problem, however, when congregations are so homogeneous that outsiders can't break in and when the "club" members don't know how to appeal to outsiders and maybe even don't want to.

Social groups, churches included, don't want to change if they don't have to. It's an ancient problem. "Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord." (Acts 11:19-21)

These unnamed men – from an island and from North Africa – helped build a racially and socially inclusive congregation in Antioch. May their tribe increase – the church in America desperately needs congregations that know how to and want to reach out to people not like them.