Church leaders today face an endless list of demands, programs to manage, people to serve and expectations to meet. It can feel like the work of ministry never stops. Yet when we look back at the very first church, we find a powerful reminder: the healthiest, most fruitful churches don’t run on busyness. As the apostles declared, ‘we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word’ (Acts 6:4).

In Acts 6:3–4, we see the Divine Pattern established: disciples were chosen who were “full of the Spirit and wisdom” to carry the practical needs of ministry, freeing the apostles to “devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” This wasn’t a matter of preference; it was God’s design for a thriving church. And it worked, the very next verse tells us, “The word of God continued to spread.”

A Pattern That Hasn’t Expired

Two thousand years later, the pattern still holds. Pastors today, just like the apostles then, are called to keep prayer and the word at the center. And disciples, just like those in Acts 6:3, are called to shoulder responsibility, empowering their leaders and multiplying ministry.

This isn’t just a nice idea from church history. It’s a living strategy for renewal. When churches embrace this pattern, leaders are freed from distraction, disciples are engaged in mission and the gospel moves forward with power.

Celebrating 25 Years of Renewal

At Strategic Renewal, we’re celebrating our 25th year of ministry, we’ve witnessed this truth time and again. Our mission has always been to help the local church reclaim the primacy of prayer and the word. For more than two decades, we’ve seen pastors find fresh strength when they are released to focus on prayer. We’ve seen disciples flourish when equipped to serve with Spirit-filled wisdom. And we’ve seen entire congregations come alive when the Divine Pattern is embraced. 

It’s a proven way of life for the church. It’s why thousands of pastors have joined the 6:4 Fellowship, and why countless disciples are engaging with 6:3 Discipleship resources to empower their pastors and churches. Strategic Renewal’s legacy stands as a living testimony that the early church still works. 

Relevance for Your Church

The challenges you face in ministry may feel modern – burnout, busyness, division – but the solution is ancient. The early church shows us that resilience doesn’t come from doing more, but from returning to what matters most.

When prayer becomes central, the church becomes resilient. When the word remains primary, disciples grow deep and strong. And when pastors and people walk this path together, churches become rooted, resourced and ready for gospel impact.

The Invitation

The early church still works because God’s design still works. The Divine Pattern is as relevant today as it was in Acts 6. The only question is: will we follow it?

At Strategic Renewal, we exist to walk with you on that journey. Explore resources for pastors through the 6:4 Fellowship or discover how disciples can play a vital role through 6:3 Discipleship. Together, we can see the gospel advance in our day, just as it did in theirs.