On a recent road trip we found ourselves having dinner at Cracker Barrel on two occasions. I like to study organizational systems, and Cracker Barrel obviously has a lot of systems in place, among them, how to train and recognize their servers.

The stars on servers’ aprons indicate how long they’ve been there and responsibility levels they have attained from one star to four stars. Interestingly, we were served once by a one-star server (relatively new) and once by a four-star veteran. The service was identical, indicating an effective training system.

And what is that system? It includes on-the-job training with close observation. I watched a few tables away as two servers took the order. One was new, and the other was the trainer, who did no talking but who carefully wrote down the order herself, I suppose to check her protege’s work before they put the order in.

Two things impressed me about that process: one, the trainer was a two-star, not a four-star. That is, they let their servers train early in the process. Second, the new guy’s apron wasn’t plain with no stars, it had a rising star on it. I like that. They expect the trainees to earn their first star and progress from there.

All of it reminds me of 2 Timothy 2.1 – 2: You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. There are no permanent students; all are expected to become teachers.