MasterChef Australia: Reflections, Observations and Parallels with Ministry

by Rev Ron Jessop

In watching the recent series of MasterChef Australia I was interested in the comments made by guest chefs in answer to the question, ‘what would you say to our contestants about food?’ I thought they had a relevance to ministry.

Be seasonal: that is, use food that is in season. In church life there are different seasons. Calendar, pastoral, local. Wise pastoring takes into account the seasons in a church. For example, January tends to be quieter and people need a break, it also can give an opportunity to take extra time for reading. Easter, Advent/Christmas, church anniversaries and AGM’s are significant times requiring more time and thought and recovery time afterwards. Pastorally, for example, events like a tragic death within the church or the departure of dearly loved members, for whatever reason, change the dynamics and emotional levels of members.

Do a minimal amount to the food: let the good news and beliefs we hold be as uncluttered and unadulterated as possible. Let the main things be the main things. Let Christ and his life, death, resurrection and return be central. The Reimagining Report is helpful in reminding us of things that our important priorities for the next five years

Cook from your heart, with emotion and not as a ‘chef’. That is, serve from your heart and not out of a role viz. pastor, missionary, counsellor. This might mean that our presentation and style breaks from the mould of decency and order and sometimes is flamboyant, personal, and emotional. When was the last time you wept while preaching, leading a pastoral prayer or giving a eulogy?

Respect the food. There is a need to respect those we serve and the place that we serve in. Eugene Patterson, quoting PT Forsyth in ‘Living the Message’ says ‘the gospel is emphatically geographical. Place names like Hebron, Nazareth, Shiloh, Jezreel, and Bethsaida, are embedded in the gospel. If the fall out of our belief in the supernatural is contempt for these one- horse- towns and impatience with their dull-spirited citizens, we had better re-examine what we say we believe in. For supernatural in the biblical sources is not a spectacularly coloured hot-air balloon floating free of awkward contingencies but a servant God with basin and towel washing dusty and callused feet’. That says it better than I can summarise.

A couple of other observations I made of the show. The show was very popular, with the finale last Sunday, attracting the largest Australian TV audience of any show since 2001, even causing the political debate to be shifted back to 6:30pm. Why? People are interested in food, a staple of life. This is a reminder that people are still interested in the staples of life, including spirituality. It is important to remember that. Perhaps we can tuck away the observation that what caught people’s interest was how the staple, food, could be presented in so many interesting, attractive, creative, sensual and tasty ways. Jesus made his staple, truths from God, attractive and engaging by use of parables. Mmm, and by using everyday known ingredients like seeds, leaven, sheep, coins, fathers and sons.

Finally, the show, though edited for TV hype, exuded warmth. Unlike some other reality shows where judges are caustic in their comments, the judges, though needing to be firm, were also genuinely supportive. On more than one occasion they offered the contestants their support and expertise beyond the show. Ultimately people are warmed by that which is positive and life giving. We know that, for the gospel’s characteristics are faith, hope and love.

Happy cooking and serving.

Rev Ron Jessop is the Coordinator of the BUV’s Professional Development Plan (PDP).