So I was thinking Yesterday that more churches need Culinary Pastors.
I'm Serious.
Food is an enormous part of scripture.
Fruit in the garden
Levitical dietary laws
Ceremonial foods
Promised land of milk and honey
Grapes
Wine
Bread
Feeding the Multitudes
Agricultural crop parables
Eat and Drink
The Wedding Feast of Christ
And at every step in between, food is integral and carries deep theological symbolism and context.
With such a large connection in Scripture, perhaps our leadership structures should include this idea and give it some serious weight. Our leadership structures indicate the importance of teaching, singing, and organization. No real criticism of any of those here, but a suggestion that we add food and its related concepts both to our priorities and to the leadership structures that reflect those priorities.
In my idea this Culinary Pastor (the name needs some work. any suggestions?) not only explores and leads the community in texts about food and drink, but also expounds on them theologically and (maybe most importantly!) makes food for the community. Teaches and leads others in making food for other people. One of the central rituals and concepts in the life of a community of faith.
Side Note: this should not be another subcateogy of leader, whose rolls get absorbed into some larger heading. That does a disservice to this position and the importance therof.
In fundamental ways the relationship with Christ is defined in a meal:
'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
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2 comments:
In my spirituality in everyday life class an aspect of it is simply eating a simple meal of soup and bread every time we meet. During this time we just talk, not about the texts or anything, just normal people partaking in fellowship. It is one of my personal favorite parts of the class as a whole. I think it talks about the church eating together in acts a bit. This has always been something I found to be important. Thanks for your post. Addison
very cool man. yeah food is about community and faith. while communion is a meal that we share, there are also daily meals we should be sharing, with fellowship as the end, not the means.
I'd like to hear more about that class, sounds interesting.
thanks for reading
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