In a previous thought I reflected upon the encounter between Joseph and an unnamed man in Genesis 37. Although the man is not identified as a man of God in any way, God uses the words he speaks to redirect Joseph on the path that will eventually lead him to Pharaoh and the means by which many, many people in the region will be saved from starvation during a seven year famine (Genesis 45 v. 4-8).
Recently, I’ve been watching a lot of episodes of Gordon’s Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares TV series. If you’re unfamiliar with the format, each episode sees the celebrated chef visiting a failing restaurant to give his critique and suggested guidance for moving forward.
You may associate Gordon Ramsay with little more than the swear words that rarely seem far from his lips but, beyond that, I’ve come to be impressed by his humanity and the empathy he shows to those he meets, who are often in dire straits. I’ve also come to appreciate his wisdom and to realise that much of the advice he gives to restaurateurs is not for their world alone. You’re unlikely to see Gordon in your pulpit but is any of his wisdom transferrable to life in your church?
I’ve seen enough of the show to discern a common format to each episode of the show and common themes among which four in particular stand out. Here is the first of those themes – Atmosphere. The others will follow in subsequent thoughts.
Episodes usually begin with Gordon arriving at a restaurant and sitting down to sample the place and its atmosphere. In many instances, the inside hasn’t been updated for years or has been styled by an owner with very ‘individualistic’ tastes. It may feel unclean or unwelcoming. None of these are appealing to prospective clientele.
Do we ever stand back and consider what our church is like for those coming into it from the ‘outside’? For us, our buildings have a feel of comfortable familiarity but will others see them in the same light? Will they see them as a throwback to a previous era? Will they feel comfortable? Will they see us as welcoming? All of these are valid, even necessary, questions to ask if we want to see churches to which others are drawn.
Prayer: Lord God, your Spirit speaks in so many different ways and in so many different voices. We want to live not by human wisdom but by your wisdom but sometimes the two can overlap. Help us to discern when your Spirit is speaking to us even when that comes from what might appear to be the unlikeliest of sources. Amen.