Contested space in church kitchens

I have a theory that the church kitchen is the most contested domain in many congregations. If you want to understand the politics of a given church, start with the kitchen: who is in control, and what conflicts arise there?

I know one congregation where a longstanding member throws people out of the kitchen, because it is the place she has ruled for decades. I know another that has difficulty finding members to serve on the kitchen committee because the chair is a very controlling person who wants other people to do her bidding. In a third, more refreshing situation, the kitchen is run by several younger couples that host church potlucks together and have a good time doing it.

In a marriage, each person comes from a family that has certain patterns related to food selection, preparation and eating. The couple has to try to blend these family practices; compromises must be made. In a church, many more people come together, from quite different families. And we have a tendency to think that the way we do food-related things is the right way. Church kitchens would be more amiable places if everyone recognized that there’s more than one way to do things.