A Parable for the Church
Written by Dr. Neil Chadwick
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Once upon a time, there was a restaurant named "Come'n Dine". This fine eating establishment sat along side a busy street in a village located in the middle of a very busy community of towns not far from the great city of Never Dull. "Come'n Dine" hadn't always been located in the village, and there were a number of workers and regular customers who well remembered the former location in the city of Joyville. Their's were good memories: of times when the restaurant was filled with bubbly patrons who obviously enjoyed being together; of times when many of them came very often to the little restaurant; of times when the Head Chef seemed to know every customer personally. Frequently he was seen sitting with them in their booths, or on a stool at the counter, or standing at the door and greeting everyone by name as they came in and went out of the restaurant.
One day a great change came to "Come'n Dine" in the city of Joyville. The Owner decided it was time for the restaurant to expand its services. He believed that the good food provided by His restaurant should be enjoyed by a greater number of hungry people. But moving to a larger building seemed to result in many people becoming disatisfied. Even the Head Chef who had served the Owner faithfully for many years became unhappy, and he decided to abandon "Come'n Dine" and open his own restaurant back in the city of Joyville. Many of the waiters along with a couple of cooks decided to join him in this venture, and a large number of customers stopped patronizing "Come'n Dine", and instead began eating regularly at the new restaurant.
Meanwhile, the Owner hired a new Head Chef for his restaurant. In fact, during the next few years many were hired, but they didn't stay very long. Two managed the restaurant for two or three years each, and another was hired with a one year contract, but was unwilling to renew it when the year was up. There were times when for months there was no Head Chef at all, but the employees worked hard to keep the restaurant open. Discouragement set in because many of the customers didn't return; and it was difficult to fill all of the necessary employment positions.
After one such season, the Owner found a Head Chef who was willing to make a long term commitment to "Come'n Dine". He had attended three different restaurant institutes, had an advanced degree in restaurant management, and had experience in several other restaurants. He seemed well prepared to provide informed and stable leadership for "Come'n Dine". The Owner was pleased with His choice, and at first the employees and regular customers were excited. However, the peaceful and contented atmosphere did not continue long at "Come'n Dine".
One of reasons for unrest was that the Head Chef replaced a couple of the other chefs. One of these had decided to quit in order to open his own restaurant, and he was sent off with a big party. Another chef was asked to resign his position at "Come'n Dine". It wasn't because he didn't cook well, but because the Head Chef wanted to hire cooks who could provide a greater variety of food. Some employees and customers were upset because the chef who was asked to leave happened to be their favorite cook, and they had a hard time imagining what working or eating at "Come'n Dine" would be like without him being there.
But that wasn't all, for those who remembered what "Come'n Dine" was like at the former site longed for it to be the same as it was in the days when the Head Chef interacted in such a personable way with all of the customers. This present Head Chef didn't seem to connect. Whereas the former one was like everyone's father or best friend, the current Head Chef seemed to be too serious -- too bent on creating a successful restaurant. Those who remembered the old "Come'n Dine" wished that this Head Chef would come and sit at their table and have a friendly chat, ask about the kids, tell a few jokes, and perhaps meet them at the tennis club after the restaurant closed in the afternoon. Some felt the Head Chef spent too much time with organizational detail, and others thought he was concerned mostly about the newer customers -- he talked a lot about everyone needing to be more friendly and caring towards them.
Some of the workers at "Come'n Dine" began to have second thoughts about the Head Chef. They had been excited when the Owner had introduced him, but now they thought that it was because of him that their restaurant was changing, and they weren't sure what was emerging. Others had a difficult time adjusting to his style of leadership. At times they made comments to the Head Chef, and although he listened to them carefully, it seemed to them that what they said didn't make much difference. So the workers began to meet together off hours. Some said they should unite in an effort to take control of the restaurant, like during the times when they had no Head Chef. "After all," they said to each other, "this is our restaurant. We're the ones who have worked hard to bring it to this point, and before long this new Head Chef will certainly ruin it."
News of discontent reached the Owner of "Come'n Dine", so He invited the workers to come to His home. One by one they sat down and explained to Him their concerns and their fears; some even expressed a desire to be transferred to another restaurant. The Owner listened very carefully; He was never impatient. As long as they talked, He looked at them intently, hanging on to every word. At times the Owner did break in to ask a question, but mostly He just listened. Some of the workers, when they finished talking, thanked the Owner for his interest, and got up and left. They felt good getting their thoughts out -- a load off their mind, a burden off their back. But others, after they had finished speaking, sat quietly, looking at the Owner. They read in His face a deep concern for them personally, as well as for His restaurant. And if they waited long enough, they noticed that He also wanted to say something, and they listened as He shared many insightful comments.
Repeatedly, the Owner explained why it was that He hired this particular Head Chef for "Come'n Dine", and it became apparent that He had some very good reasons. He asked the workers to be patient and cooperative, and said, "Perhaps you can't see it now, but eventually you'll understand the wisdom of my choice." The Owner also acknowledged the Head Chef's weaknesses, as though He already knew about them. He told the workers that He was giving a lot of attention to the ongoing training of all of His chefs, and reminded them that their support was a very important part of this training. The Owner also sought to convince them that the Head Chef really did care for them, and that he was growing in his ability to communicate his love to the workers as well as to the customers at "Come'n Dine". Before each one left the Owner's house, He said to them, "Please come and talk with me again. Let me hear reports of the good things that are happening at "Come'n Dine", and share with me the concerns that you have. We'll work together, and together we'll feed the hungry."
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