Quest Ministries: Big Night

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Big Night

Big Night is a secular version of Babbette's Feast. I read a reference to the film in the article titled "A Holy Longing" by David Taylor (Christianity Today, October 2008, 38-41). The author points out that one of the characters in the film (Ann) tastes the sauce made by one of the restaurateurs (Primo). Taylor describes it this way, "

The taste of the sauce is so exquisite that Ann can do nothing but exclaim repeatedly, 'Oh my God!' Primo takes her exclamation and turns it into a keen insight: 'Oh my God is right, see? Now you know. To eat good food is to be close to God.' Then he quips: 'The knowledge of God is the bread of angels. I'm never sure what that means, but it is true!' Here Ann breaks into laughter."

Later in the film (and this is the part that reminds me of Babbette's Feast) the whole group, gathered in the restaurant for this special meal, is overwhelmed by the splendor of the feast Primo prepared for them.

The down-side of the film (and that which earns its R rating) is language. One character is obviously compelled to use profanity, even when describing the beauty of delicious food. Apparently the screenwriter thought the expletives are essential to the character of the film.

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PROFILE

Contact Information:

Experience:

For over forty years Stan has developed people and organizations through preaching, teaching, organizing, writing, motivating, and listening. He especially enjoys interacting with people in one-to-one and group settings.

Stan has a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell. In 2012, he completed a certificate program in spiritual direction from Selah (http://leadershiptransformations.org/selah.htm).

Stan also loves to help people navigate life’s challenges by discussing popular stories. Fiction written by C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Dickens, Victor Hugo, and a host of others help us understand how God’s Story interacts with our own.

Specialty Skills:

Organizing people, events, and projects

Analyzing challenges, and proposing and implementing solutions

Creative writing

Conversant with computer software and the Internet

Video-conferencing via Skype and other software

Accomplishments:

Stan led an organization that was on the brink of disbanding. Through his leadership it became a more vibrant cohesive group, optimistic about its future. He led its members in group activities. He also worked with its leaders to evaluate and update the organization's purpose, financial health, and organizational structure. As a result, the group became healthier, larger, and more outward focused and welcoming.

He led a group in a ten-week discussion of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The majority of the participants read 100 pages per week to prepare for their sessions. He met with the group for two hours each week to discuss the contents, truths, and applications of this beautiful piece of literature.

For several years Stan led a multi-week training course for an organization. The purpose of the training was to help members understand and communicate the organization's core values with potential members. He recruited people to be part of the training, taught them how to clearly express the principles, and provided the means for them to be in touch with potential members. Leaders emerged from this training program, confident in their ability to communicate.