Dinner with John

Pinch-yourself moments.

You know, those times when doubt flashes through your mind about whether or not the moment you’re living in is actually true. The times when you feel like the quick flash of pain that a pinch delivers will ground you and confirm the moment is, in fact, real.

Tonight I had a pinch-yourself moment as I sat on the deck of my home enjoying some good Peruvian food with Dr. John Cionca. This man is the real deal. He is a legend around these northern regions, and surely respected all over. I first heard about John through a book of letters he edited and wrote entitled “Dear Pastor.” I first read it two years ago when I was on vacation. It was one of those books that reads you, instead of the other way around.

I won’t bore anyone with the series of events that led to him accepting our invitation for dinner. Instead, let me just say that I was pretty nervous about the whole evening.

Even though I put a pen and notepad by my place setting I didn’t write a single thing down tonight. Our conversation never strayed toward the nitty gritty of church methodology, church growth or the like. Instead, it was one of the most comfortable conversations I’ve had in as long as I can remember.

I learned tonight from a man who seems to know nearly all there is to know about church, what the heart of a pastor looks like. Not one filled with knowledge and information (not saying there is anything wrong with that) as much as one filled with genuine interest and sincere caring. From the time he walked in, he was completely at ease. Peaceful. Big smile. He talked briefly with my daughters. Asked about how my eldest lost her front teeth. He chatted with me as I served up our food. He made me feel at home in my own home.

And our conversation was amazing. Whereas I thought I’d ask him questions particular to church governance, doctrine and other matters, we instead talked about my years as a missionary kid, my years in ministry and my hopes for our new church plant. He turned the tables on me and got me to open up my heart. And he listened. I’m still amazed.

More valuable than any tidbit he could have left me, was the gift of demonstrating the pastoral art of breaking bread with another person in their home.

I feel like I dined with Jesus. I’ve always imagined Jesus enjoying dinner with his disciples and friends. I’ve always imagined him laughing and engaging conversation, sharing wise insights in a way that the commoner would understand.

Thank you, John.

***

Is the art of table fellowship lost?

Are we too busy as a society to find time to invite people into our homes for a meal?

What stops us from inviting people over or accepting people’s invitations?

Let me know your thoughts.