"It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables."

First, we don't usually make such a sharp distinction between things in our ministries. Pastors are routinely expected to do much more than just preach and teach the word. They need to handle much of the business of the church, the publication of many documents, the promotion of the church's work, the setting of goals and recruiting of helpers. I think a lot of pastors would read these verses somewhat wistfully - wishing that they too could get 7 men filled with the Spirit to take over all the "waiting on tables."

Second, when we think of the non-theological work of the church we don't typically insist upon recruiting people who are "known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom." We use more earthly criteria because we don't value the task. But a look at the job requirements for "waiting on tables" in the early church suggests that even such earthly service had a vital spiritual component.

How would our congregations be different if our pastors were more focused upon the word - and getting the message right - and speaking the word to people? And how would our churches be different if our laity sought to be filled with the Holy Spirit - if we valued wisdom more than knowledge (or riches)? If the heads of our households saw themselves as spiritual leaders - and not merely waiters at tables?

St. Paul is striving to move in that direction as we look for more ways to encourage home devotion - individual Bible reading and prayer - and ongoing learning in God's Word.