I eat out a lot. I think all pastors do. In fact I would say that pastoring revolves around God, people, AND FOOD.

Many of our leader meetings involve food. Some even have food as the agenda. Many times when I do visitation people have food waiting for me when I arrive at their homes. When I do pastoral meeting away from the church and away from my congregants’ homes I am usually at Starbuck’s or Sippin’ Serendipity or even the 99. Then, of course, there is the church potluck! I love a good potluck supper.

Today I had two potlucks back to back. I got up early this morning, and after morning prayer, I began preparing my offering for first luncheon, a macaroni salad.

I started with fresh dill from the garden,

and fresh eggs from our chickens.

I hard boiled the eggs along with the macaroni and some peas.

I cut up the dill and mixed it in with a little salt, pepper, mayonnaise and mustard.

Then I had plenty of time to chill the salad before the leadership luncheon hosted at one of our group leader’s home.

It was a wonderful time of fellowship, breaking bread around the tables.

There were conversations about family, friends and faith.

Cora was our mascot for the day. She was wonderful with the children.

This event was multigenerational.

My second potluck of the day was a funeral held at the local Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall. More and more people are opting not to hold large church funerals because of the cost. The last three funerals I have done have been celebrations of life held at people’s homes or in small halls.

I did this celebration of life, while people were gathered around the tables for a late luncheon. My position was next to the food table by the gatorade container. I called the service to order with two verses of Amazing Grace and a pastoral prayer for peace as people finished their baked ziti and salad.

I suppose some would say a service like this lacked reverence. I don’t think that way. I feel like these types of services create something very close to biblical koinonia (Christian communion particularly of the early church). People feel more connected to each other when there is food present. It’s one of the reasons I think food is present in so much pastoral ministry.

We sang. We read Scripture. We shared memories. I shared a devotional and a charge to embrace the faith. We held a moment of solemn silence. We prayed the Lord’s Prayer. I prayed a committal and a benediction. Then everyone had dessert and continued sharing around the tables. There were tears and there was a lot laughter.

I think God likes what sharing a meal does for people.