"Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.  And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order that we should wait on tables.  Therefore friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.'"

Three things that made the early church grow greatly:

They responded to complaints and concentrated on meeting needs.  When the Hellenists complained, the apostles could have easily said, 'We are doing other things that are important - you should not try to tell us how to do our church!'  Instead, they saw the need that was being pointed out, and moved to help remedy it.  I think this was as much to satisfy the Hellenists as it was to help widows.

They met each need with excellence.  Instead of picking seven men that could help this need, they choose seven men 'full of the Spirit and of wisdom."   They would not be satisfied to put a band-aid on the problem, they wanted to use their best men.

They allowed people to use their gifts and talents.  The reason Peter was not chosen to be a waiter was because his gift was in discerning the word of God.  This was something the early church valued.  Peter used his gift to study the word, others used their gift to wait on the widows.  They focused on where their talent lie:  missions, music, ministry...

Where are your talents used for God?