"Pastor, Don't Wait Tables" (c) - Rev. Dr. Cecelia GreeneBarr 2014

I teach and preach often on the subject of accountable stewardship to the officers and members where I serve as Pastor. The approach is not chastisement but that of building and edifying the body of believers as instructed in Ephesians. The lessons are solid in theology and passionate in delivery. Yet, as I strive to apply what I admonish regularly, I find myself confronted and convicted. I don't like my current situation and the amount of disharmony it produces in my spirit. I call out to God for forgiveness because our time together is not the level of quality that my heart desires. My soul is not at peace. Then, weekly I ask the Lord, "How can I do this better than I've been in weeks past? How can I spend more time, yes more time in the word and less time "waiting tables?" For me it is a question of accountable stewardship.

The term "wait on tables" is not a reference to secular employment in addition to my full time pastoral duties of teaching and nurturing the Lord's congregation. It is a term that comes directly from Acts 6:1-2 where the problem, in the form of a complaint, was brought to the surface. The spiritual leaders called a community meeting to address the situation and specifically to help the community to see that it was really their duty to "wait on tables". The Apostles knew the issue needed to be corrected, but they came together to instill in the community that it was really their issue to resolve, and by resolve I mean do the work. The Apostles told the community; it is not right that we should neglect the word of God to do the community's work. It is a position of accountable stewardship. 

Here is what I need. I need my officers to ask me accountable stewardship questions like; "Pastor, how many hours did you spend in the presence of God today? How was your time in prayer this week? Pastor, have you done wrong this week by neglecting to devote time in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and doing the work of our community instead?" If my officers asked me these accountable stewardship questions then it would place our entire community in a better position and my soul at peace. 

What's the likelihood this will happen? In order for this to happen it means that they must first be willing to hold themselves accountable to those "tables" for which I have been "waiting" all along, "tables" for which have always been the responsibility of the community. It means that they would have to find it pleasing for themselves, to do the community work, while their spiritual leader ceases to "wait tables". I'm more than ready to activate able body and able minded community members for their stewardship task of "waiting tables". 

I'm captivated by verse 7 that gives insight into the growth of the church in Jerusalem. The result of the community "waiting tables" and the Apostles engaged in the word of God was the number of disciples increased greatly. I'm convinced that church growth will always be stagnant when the pastor's time and energy is continually dominated by the work of "waiting tables" because those are real needs that should not be neglected. But the consequence is that of neglecting the first priority of their life in the community; the Word of God. 

So, I issue the challenge to my officers, my cabinet of leaders. I challenge them to ask me accountable stewardship questions. Officers, I challenge you to come prepared to hear a truthful answer and operate in communal integrity in which each becomes willing to help the pastor not do what is wrong. It is then, I believe, my soul can begin her journey towards peace, my mind towards harmony and my spirit towards greater degrees of fellowship with God and disciples increase greatly.

Sincerely,

Dr. Cecelia E. GreeneBarr, Candidate for Bishop 2016

An Authentic and Relevant Ambassador for the Next Level

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