When Regional Conferences were organized, Walter was called to pastoral ministry in the South Atlantic Conference where he served from 1946-1954 before becoming director of lay activities. In 1965 he organized a department of stewardship for the conference. When Allegheny Conference divided into two conferences in 1966, Walter was elected president of Allegheny West Conference. Again his tenure was shortened when Robert Pierson, General Conference president, called him to organize and direct a department of stewardship at the General Conference. Within seven years, most of the world division and and many unions and conferences had elected stewardship directors, says Harold Lee, Columbia Union Conference president who preached Stark's eulogy.
Stewardship get on board.
His longest ministry was as the director of the General Conference Stewardship Department where he made his greatest contribution to the Adventist Church. There is produced scores of manuals, seminars, tracts, leaflets, and other training materials. Walter served the Seventh-day Adventist Church for 40 years, including 13 years as General Conference stewardship director. He retired in 1981. Along with his love for stewardship, Walter was also an avid writer.