WILLOW Magazine, Volume 15, Issue 1 Ministry Connections: Evangelism by Jim Poole Waiting Tables Some have a place at the table, while others ... wait on them “I got slammed today,” Jonathon announced, storming into rehearsal 15 minutes late. “Sorry guys, what could I do? Three huge groups came in for Sunday brunch and I had to stay until the tables were cleared. Oh, hey, Jim, I think they were a bunch of people from your church … ” “Oh … really?” “Yeah, a couple of ‘em said they knew you — definitely from your church. And there was this guy who asked for unsweetened iced tea, but I accidentally gave him sweetened tea. He got all uptight about it. Of course I apologized and replaced it pronto, but all afternoon, ‘Mr. Iced-Tea’ was all over me, watching like a hawk. I think he was your pastor.” “Wha-?” “Just kiddin’. This guy wasn’t your pastor — at least I don’t think.” “Well, sorry if this guy from my church ... ” “Ah, don’t sweat it,” Jonathon cut me off. “There’s always one in every bunch ... you learn that pretty quick waiting tables.” It’s always entertaining when worlds collide — when my “church world” friends meet up with my friends from the theater scene here in Chicago. Typically, this collision occurs where church groups go to eat and where theater types get jobs. Actors, musicians, and artists find jobs waiting tables because of the flexibility it offers. But it can also be a really tough job. “Think about this: 95 percent of the conversation between those dining and the waiter is all about information,” Jonathon went on to explain. “I’m getting instructions thrown at me all the time. I’ve got to carefully tune in to every customer. If someone wants a glass of water without any ice, I can’t miss a word. I’ve got to bring a glass of water without any ice. If they want their dressing on the side, or a salad without any nuts, every word’s important — maybe they’re allergic to nuts. So if some guy wants unsweetened iced tea, that little two-letter prefix can’t be missed. The whole purpose of my existence as a waiter is to wait on the needs and the whims of the dining patron.” Now if you knew Jonathon, you’d catch the irony in what he was saying immediately. He’s a young actor, an artist, a free spirit — nobody tells him what to do in his life. It’s out of character for him to actually do what people instruct him to do, let alone listen to every word they’re saying. “How do you even do that job?” I joked. “Truthfully, it’s been kinda good for me,” he reflected. “It’s really forced me to develop my listening skills. And that stuff is good ‘actor training.’ Half of what it takes to be a good stage actor is listening, so this job is actually sharpening my acting skills. But I’m also finding that putting myself in a position of having to do things for other people, serving them, gets me out of myself. It’s a good stretch for my character. Keeps me humble. And besides, I need the job.” Sounds like good Christian servanthood training to me. Putting yourself in a position of meeting the needs of others. Thinking outside of yourself ... I might have to try waiting on tables sometime; could be good character preparation for a Christian. “Hey Jonathan, this has been on my mind the whole time: did they leave you a good tip?” “Who?” “The big group of people from my church?” “Uhm,” he hesitated slightly, “Yeah, it was average, I guess.” “OK, your next coffee’s on me, to make up for it.” “Make it an iced tea,” Jonathon laughed. “And keep it sweet.” Written by an actor in Chicago named Jim Poole (yep, Garry’s little brother). Jim creates weekly commentary segments for WMBI Moody Radio. Top