Covered Dish Dinner Evangelism

We were on opposite sides of the covered dish food line carrying on a conversation when he said, "I'm telling you. This church has some of the best cooks in the world." He made this statement with such assurance and confidence that you couldn't help but to believe him.

I think he made this comment when he was in the middle of scooping up some of the delicious looking chicken and rice casserole which was next to the black bean lasagna which was next to the salad with homemade dressing, which was next to a vegetable tray which was next to a colorful fruit salad which was next to an array of desserts that included homemade m & m cookies, cheesecake with fruit, orange pineapple cake, and a blueberry jellow masterpiece.

Sorry, but when you are describing a United Methodist covered dish meal, you can't help but to have a run-on sentence.

And then I said to him, "With the way United Methodists eat, you kind of have to wonder why anyone would choose to be unchurched." Now, I made that statement in a humorous kind of way, but in hindsight, I think there is more truth to it than what I was originally thinking.

The scriptures are filled with food and feasting references. Think of the extravagant dinner party from the Prodigal Son parable. Think of those messianic age images of a feast from the prophet Isaiah. Think of those early disciples of Jesus, after having received the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) and how they broke bread together in each other's homes and praised God.

And then think of our Holy Communion liturgy in which we say, "Until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet."

You gotta wonder if that heavenly banquet won't include some of that chicken and rice casserole I had at church yesterday.

Man, I'm glad I'm a Christian.