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As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God (1 Peter 4:10, NASB).
I’m writing this Interruption to honor a local ministry leader in Springfield, Ohio. I considered entitling today’s blog, “The Guru of Panera,” but that sounds too New Age or the “Swami of Panera” but, again, too Eastern religion.
Instead, I’ve settled on “The Pastor of Panera”—Jeff Pinkleton!
There is a table at Panera known as “The Table.” From the store’s opening to closing, Jeff’s iPad, several books, perhaps a coffee cup from Starbucks, and sometimes even his cell phone occupy the table.
With or without Jeff in actual attendance.
It’s Pink’s table, and whether there or not, no one ever touches his stuff or complains about the occupied table. Three things are certain in this life—taxes, death, and Jeff’s things on a table at Panera.
Pinkleton has led The Gathering men’s ministry for 17 years.
This area-wide ministry impacts much of southwestern Ohio. The ministry has 22 “Locker Rooms” or small study groups for men. However, the feature event of The Gathering has been 22 sold-out breakfasts for the community.
This breakfast attracts women, men, political leaders, sports figures, dozens of pastors, and business leaders from all religious faiths listening to uplifting speakers about success in following Jesus.
Each breakfast has 350 in attendance, totaling about 8,000 in the last 12 years.
Amazing! Yay, Jeff Pinkleton!
And all this originates from Jeff’s table in Panera. Let’s ask, “What are Pink’s ministry secrets?”
I’ve known him better than most since he and his family attended the church that I pastored for 49 years, and before his marriage, he lived next to me in an apartment in my sister’s house (situated next to mine) for five years.
So, what makes Jeff and his ministry attractional? He remembers your name, your birthday, your job, your sport’s teams, and everything that’s ever been said about you.
And he’s not a gossip, as he legitimately cares.
With this knowledge he connects people to one another—to jobs, new friends, and ministry opportunities. I believe Jeff’s mind works like this, “Hey, here is an event, a concert, or a retreat, and I know it will bless these people, so I will invite them.”
Jeff’s eclectic knowledge of people and events allows him to extend multiple invitations a year to everyone he knows. If you are a monk enjoying solitude, do not be introduced to Pinkleton!
Ironically, one of his favorite retreats involves a monastery in Kentucky, where he knows every monk’s name.
A correct biography of a person needs the positive balanced with the negative, but the “Pastor of Panera” is so likable that his addiction to coupons, hard-to-discern cryptic texts, and unique business casual style of dress is more endearing than frustrating.
Thanks Jeff for a ministry well-d0ne. See you at “The Table” sometime this week.