Have you been served?

Yesterday I was invited to a last minute dinner party at Marie Calendars. I immediately began to look forward to my favorite dish--Chili and cornbread. Simple, I know--probably not what most people would get at Marie Calendars. However, I loved the taste of spicy chili combined with sweet cornbread and don't forget ketchup! HMMM...

Today, I woke up early and started my day. I went and got my Venti drip from Starbroke (LOL) and jumped into my day of working on paper work, running errands, and choosing personal health insurance coverage. Before I knew it, it was already time to get dressed and leave for the party.

I was excited, and decided to dress for a night out on the town. I wore my new dark blue jeans, a very nice dress shirt (un-tucked), and my new navy blue suit jacket! I was sporting... I arrived at Marie Calendars and was looking forward to my favorite dish. There were about 20 friends from church that showed up. I was blessed to get to order first. My mouth began to salivate as I anticipated the tastes and texture of my meal.

As I waited, more and more people began to get their food. I began to wonder, how hard is it to make a bowl of chili? Than after everyone received their food, and some were finishing their food. I received a bowl of chili that looked like it had been sitting out and had become cold. I ask the waiter to take it back, and then when they brought it back it had a distinct smell of being burnt in a microwave. I very nicely asked for the manager.

When the manager came out, I didn't even have to say a word. She immediately apologized for giving me the last of the pot of chili and for trying to fool me with the microwave. She then offered to give me a new entree. I politely declined and said, "I am interested in dessert!" So the waiter came back and I order a brownie sundae.

Again, I patiently waited and watched the same waiter clear the table, bring out to go boxes, drop off checks, bring out my friend's desserts, and give my friends change back to them. I still had to wait about 10 minutes for my dessert to come. My Friends had well finished their meals and desserts when my dessert came out, The brownie had walnuts in it. I am allergic to walnuts. I asked the waiter why the brownie had walnuts when the menu did not mention walnuts. The waiter said, "sorry we changed the brownie the other day!"

Again I asked for the manager, and explained the whole issue of service. I said, "it would have been one thing if your restaurant was full. However, we are the only people in here. And we have two waiters that are only working on our party!" The manager apologized and said that she would take care of my bill.

I was shocked to receive a bill and see that they only took off my bowl of chili... I went and talked to the manager and she eventually took care of my entire bill. As I drove away from this experience the thought jumped into my head about church!

Have you been served?

As I began to think about this question I realized that this has been a fundamental issue in the church. In Acts chapter 6 the questioned had been raised, "Have you been served?" and the answer was, "No, we have been neglected!" The Hellenist complained that the Jews had neglected them, had pushed them aside as second class. The Apostles called the multitude of disciples together and explained that they were to be about prayer and preaching the Gospel not waiting tables. So they told the multitude of disciples to choose 7 men who were of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom.

The image that is painted in Acts 6: 1 - 4 is an image of a waiter with a towel in one hand and a pitcher in the other. However, the image that is painted in 6: 5 -7 is one of ordination and administering the Gospel. Whats interesting is that the 7 men were hired to be waiters, but we only read about them going out as ministers and missionaries. We can also bring up the question of Call to ministry? The seven were chosen by the multitude. It does not say that God called them or made it known that he wanted them to serve. It just says that they exhibited Godly Spirit filled behaviour.

I have learned many things working for my earthly father. I like to tell people that I am learning to tend my fathers fields. But in reality, I have been learning to serve others. I have served my father and his fields. I have learned to be about my fathers business. I have also learned that a son has an invested interest in the business and affairs of His father. I have also learned that a father and son share the same heart, vision, and desires for the business.

Most importantly I have learned that service is done with a towel and a pitcher, or in my case a mop and a toilet brush before it is ever worth while. The experiences that I have had watching my father and gleaning from his experiences are amazing. However, I understand the question, "Have you been served?" its not merely a question as it is a statement. The statement is shouting that it is unfair for some churches to have many pastors while some churches have none. It is also shouting that it is unfair that many people are more than willing to join the ranks of ministry but nobody has served them and given them opportunity!

When I started this blog I thought it would be a short and neat little anecdote! However, I just realized I have opened up a new can of worms among many cans! I have realized that God is stirring my heart about those places that haven't been served yet!