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Now at this time, as the\u00a0disciples were\u00a0increasing\u00a0in number, a complaint developed\u00a0on the part of\u00a0the Hellenistic\u00a0Jews\u00a0against the\u00a0native\u00a0Hebrews, because their\u00a0widows were being overlooked in\u00a0the daily serving\u00a0of food.<\/span>\u00a0So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, \u201cIt is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.<\/span>\u00a0Instead,\u00a0brothers\u00a0and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.<\/span>\u00a0<\/sup>But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.\u201d The announcement found approval with the whole congregation…\u00a0<\/span><\/em>Acts 6:1-5a NASB<\/span><\/p>\n The Chapel Hill Bible Church Constitution reflects the three spheres of authority:<\/p>\n “The Church shall be Christ ruled, elder led, and congregationally accountable, with its governance vested in the members and administered by the Board of Elders, the Board of Deacons and the pastoral staff.”<\/p>\n The realms of authority between elected officers gave both the elders and the deacons significant and complementary leadership authority. It deliberately avoided concentration of power in one group.\u00a0 This allowed for a broader base of wisdom and experience in decision making but also crucially provided for “checks and balances” against the temptation to sin in use of authority.<\/p>\n