Pastor Pastor

Chapter 1

Charles Wallace wondered why he had been called aside at the quarterly minister’s meeting for the Northern California District of Christ’s Fellowship Church. The only answer he could get from the secretary, that led him, was that they had some questions for him. He knew there would be no point in attempting to garnish more information from her, to press her harder would reflect poorly on him.

She opened the door, and stood aside, a signal he should enter the room without her. As he stepped into the office the contrast between it, and the one at his church struck him. A large, polished, mahogany desk sat in the back of the room, with matching book shelves station behind it on both sides. The smell of freshly laid carpet filled the room, and an antique brass chandelier provided light for the room. What a difference between his office, with its particle board furnishing and light fixture that came from Home Depot.

Charles noted Reverend Franklin seated behind the desk, on the phone. The Presbyter hung up the phone, and looked at Charles. The smile on his face designed to make Charles relax failed its purpose. Charles was the youngest senior pastor in the Southern California District, and wanted to please those over him. He took to heart the scripture in Hebrews 13:17 that said, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.” Charles based his life upon what he understood the scriptures to read. Despite the smile from his superior, Charles anxiety grew, since being summoned to meet the Presbyter meant something.

“Pastor Wallace, come in and take a seat please,” Franklin said as he motioned to a chair on the opposite side of his desk. “Been meaning to catch up with you for a while. Seems like I have been too busy though, neglecting my duty to you.”

This was Charles first pastoral position. He knew that he had only been assigned to his church in the Corridor district of San Diego because no other minister wanted the church. His position was probationary. At the whim of the district he could be removed, something that he doubted would take place, since no one else wanted to run a church located in such poor area.

“Thank you Reverend,” Charles said as he took a seat in the plush leather chair opposite his superior. He leaned back into the chair, and absorbed the feel of it. Nothing like this in his office.

“Saw the reports coming from your church, and I must say they are impressive. Your attendance has jumped significantly, and the giving. The church is no longer being subsidized by the district. On the surface, it appears that you have done all that we could ask,” Franklin said.

“Thank you, sir, but it only through the grace of God that we have been successful. Without Him we could do nothing,” Charles answered.

“Yes, of course. Without God’s grace, we all would be failures. However, it seems that His grace has served you well. Don’t think the district has not recognized your labor. Keep it up and in a few years, there could be a more established church available to you. Would make for a nice promotion,” Franklin said.

“I am pleased to serve our Lord where I am, but thank you for speaking kindly to me. If that is all, I will return to the rest of the assembly. You are too busy of a man to be held up by the likes of me.”

“Well, to be honest with you Charles, there is another matter we need to discuss.”

Charles clinched his teeth. In his heart, he already speculated about what he thought this meeting was about. He hoped that he was just over reacting, being dramatic. However, as he looked at the focused face of the district’s ruler, he knew it had not just been him being paranoid. He knew the scriptures taught that a person needs to count the cost when they start something. The cost for doing what he believed to be right could be substantial, and that payment was now due. He never would have guessed this confrontation taking place three years ago when Franklin took him on a tour of the church.