Lessons from a Church Dinner

Lesson 1: Somebody will bring mac-n-cheese.  Church dinners are nice because many different tastes and food choices are given.  A person who is a picky eater should never shy away from a church dinner.  Somebody will bring something you like.  You will not go hungry.  Plus, there are usually 3 or 4 different mac-n-cheeses to try.  You can compare the same dish brought by different folks and be a food critic for the day!


Lesson 2:  One person needs to be in charge.  There are so many details that need to be nailed down.  Leadership by democratic committee may not be the best framework for a big church dinner.  Somebody needs to be the "yes, no, here, and there" person.  It is that way with many things sometimes... isn't it?  Sometimes groups we are a part of just need one person who will make final decisions and make hard choices.


Lesson 3:  Food brings people.  People will not show up for a prayer meeting.  0 people will show up for 2 children's ministry planning meetings.  People will be hit or miss for Bible Study.  A Mission's Meeting may scrape for members... but oh how we bust at the seams for a church dinner.  How sad that something that has far less eternal rewards trumps those that do.


Lesson 4: Name tags make everyone feel like "Norm" from Cheers.  A name tag is the pathway out of our comfort zone that prevents us from talking to a stranger.  We can interact with someone we do not know or are lightly acquainted with no apprehension... their name is on their shirt.  Knowing someone's name and using it allows for greater conversation.  Knowing someone's name and using it enhances social meetings and deepens fellowship.  


Lesson 5: The "Come Join Us" sign out in front of the church does not really work.  Every church does it.  "Fish Fry, Sat 7:00, Join us!"  "Homecoming Dinner, Sun 12:00 Come all!"  We should be honest and realize that only those people in the church will be coming to those dinners.  The people who would want to come and eat (those who are homeless and hungry) know that they may or may not be accepted.  Is this church a generous and open one or a closed tight knit one?  No one wants to enter church and get strange looks... nobody.  It might work if the sign said "All poor people who are hungry welcome!" but then we are saying improper things!  I do wonder how you advertise an actual free meal for people who really need it?


Lesson 6: Usually, 400 people eat and 10 clean up.