Acts 6:1-8 KJV
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Perhaps the hardest thing to understand about time frame especially in Acts it was not all instantaneously. We are looking at a church time frame from about 30-31 AD to 67 AD as far as work inside Jerusalem to sending out of missionaries and so forth. It is around 37 AD when Stephen and others seem to appear on scene. This is time frame they could of been raised in the church in Jerusalem. Things would arise in the religious world that had to be resolved. Meaning the early church began to find places of neglect of their widows during the daily ministration of people's needs taken out of things given to the church. Churches today, do not all function like the early church. Yet when they do the needs in the community is often provided for as well in a form of ministry. Paul talks about the different positions in the church both in Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12. Many positions in a church, you do not need to be the leader to be a participant in the church. It okay to know the role of that upper positions and maybe even help occassionally, but sometimes the chief spot is best left up to those that do that well and have the full respect of the church, or most of it. Hands on work does not always mean you are in charge, but attending to the needs within the church as worker bee so to speak. Deacon is a worker bee and often the assistant to a pastor in today's world. Deacon is a man or woman tending to the needs of different individuals, people in the church under a pastor or leader. They occasionally even have the job of filling in the pastoral role as far as visitation to a home, to aiding someone in a crisis, and taking time to pray with the people as well. It does not mean other people in the church can fulfill these rolls as well, but it is the people the pastor will usually call, if he can not fulfill his duties to his congregation or needs assistant in one of his many rolls as pastor.

The early church group had some Grecians that were complaining that the widows were not being taken care of. This happens, but it also was a time of opening a new door to the people of God. The church appointed 7 men to be deacons over the task of caring for the widows, but they had a good reputation among the people of caring and serving others. Did people pay these workers. Some probably gained money from certain work they did, and others would of donated it to the early church, part of their gift to God, using their talents. One of the greatest blessings of the church was their ability to meet the needs of their people with the talent within the group. Each talent was blessed and anointed for service, it might not say that, but when talking about positions of title like deacon, elder, teacher, pastor and so forth, they often anointed or prayed over because of choosing people for position. People may gain the role because of work they do distinguish(set them apart) from others, because of their popularity in regards to their hard efforts of even years gone by. These things would of been blessings in the early church world.

Dear Heavenly Father thank you for different offices, positions an work that needs to be done in our church world today. Thank you for speaking of the work of the early church to reminds us there is a place for everyone willing to give time and service to their church. Open our hearts to be people of service and not people of slothfulness. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Romans 12:1-21 KJV
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.