Literature, Worship and Life » Food III – Abusing the Gift
Since food is relational and spiritual it is not unreasonable that churches should use food for ministry. This goes way beyond food banks for the poor, and pizza to lure in youth on Wednesday nights. While I will not get into all the particulars about how food can be used for relational and spiritual development, I do have this do say: Do not abuse the gift. You all know what I am referring to… the potluck.
Have you ever noticed that all potlucks smell the same? It doesn’t matter what state you are in, the denomination, or the time of year, all potlucks have that same smell. There are other things in life that are an amalgamation of random variety that share this feature with the potluck. All garbages smell strangely similar. Unkempt public restrooms all share a common stench, even though the overwhelming fragrance proceeds from refuse composed of a unique plurality of edibles.
The lesson for potlucks is clear, the common stench is a warning of disfavor. How could disfavor extend to food you ask? This is unclear even to me, but the existence of a definite potluck smell is undeniable. “Well,†you might say, “don’t all fast food places smell the same?†You are right, of course, but for different reasons. All hamburger places smell the same because they all make the same food. A KFC does not smell like a McDonalds, however, and a Taco Bell smells different than both. That is what we should expect from food. When you get home you know what to expect for dinner based on the aroma. Every food has this earmark, or fingerprint if you will, that declares its distinctiveness before the food can be seen or tasted. In this way every food is given an identity and personality. Potlucks strip all food of its identifying aroma, of its dignity really, by exuding an oder that is neither pleasant nor distinctive. As it is with the garbage, so with the potluck. Can we really expect these efforts to be blessed?
Food, one of the greatest gifts to mankind, a symbol of our unity, our glory, our distinctiveness, yea even our very souls, has been taken by the church and profaned in the potluck. Repent, I plead, and turn from your casseroles and gelatinous creations. Make foods in keeping with good taste and flavor. If food is relational what are we saying to our friends and neighbors when we invite them to church and offer them overdone Mostacholi à la bland with a side of 15 layer Jell-o dessert? Are there no cooks in the House, are we without culinary prowess? Do we think that, since everyone eats, anything will suffice? Maybe, since everyone breathes, we should poison our air too… but, as we have noted, the potluck has this covered as well. Perhaps I am looking at this all wrong. Maybe churches believe potlucks are a way of suffering for the Name. While we suffer, yes, no glory will be gained for our efforts. No. I say it again No! Food is a gift. Let us not reprobate, violate, or desecrate it any longer. What have we done? Where is our soul? Will we ever recover from this fall?
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You’re ridiculous. I always loved potlucks because of all the unusual food I got to try that I didn’t normally get at home plus it gave me a chance to break bread with people we didn’t always eat dinner with. Smell does not eaqual soul.
Preach it! Preach it from the mountaintops!
Most churches have nice kitchen areas with one or more nice ranges… that are used to heat up the bland casserole made the night before. There’s a whole show on TV that teaches folks how to make a nice meal in fewer than 30 minutes! Let the church unite in the kitchen to make real food for the hungry souls. Does anyone believe that those 10 gallon pots are just for storing utensils?
Let the writer come to Phoenix for a potluck, and they will find 80-85% storebought items.
At least here – when we have a soup supper, I’m seeing 6 different kinds of homemade soup, and the desserts are out of this world!
Sure, a couple of storebought things – but on the whole, it is what I would like to be feeding my family.
The writer almost has a tone that these should be “boss coming over for dinner” type meals, rather than a comfortable meal among friends.
Long live the potluck!
Whew. I should have known this would inspire a response. Remind me not to criticize the potluck when in the parish.
1) The spirit of the potluck must be maintained. Bring what you yourself would eat.
2) Consider it an offering to God. Look, you’re feeding your neighbor. Love him as you love God. It’s a first commandment issue!
3) Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? When you did it to the least of these my brothers… If Jesus were sitting here, would he eat THAT? :)
4) Standard dishes like “Church Potatoes” or that Dorito-Taco-Salad are acceptable and encouraged.
5) Potlucks should be held on Sundays and should be a feast to celebrate the Feast of the Lamb.
6) Remember, as with any “offering”, the first-fruits of the harvest are appropriate. Remember Cain’s sacrifice? :)
Enough already Chris. Shut your trap.
I couldn’t agree more, Chris. It’s the food that is typically brought that makes potlucks so horrendous. I have two suggestions. One for those making the food God created salt and other spices for a reason. Second, for those who are being forced to eat lest they offend, bring Tabasco.
Yes, be careful about dissing the Potluck. That would be the fastest way to lose the flock as it would insult all the blue hairs who tell their husbands what to do. ;)
I guess I have had a unique experience in that many of the families use the potluck as a chance to show off their cooking talents. It has been a joy to sample all the excellent cooking as my ample wasteline will attest.
I will agree with Steven a bottle of hotsauce in your potluck kit is a great investment as I have found most people are afraid of food that bites back.