by Lemuel Niere
A teacher in a Christian school gave an assignment to her students to bring to class the next day something that would represent and symbolize their religious convictions. One pupil came with a Jewish menorah. One other came with a Bible. Still another came with a large crucifix. The Adventist student came with a casserole.
Church potlucks are very important to Seventh-day Adventists that it may be said that the casserole makes a good symbol of who we are. A hearty potluck after the worship service is a special time for fellowship.
Perhaps some curious folks may wonder and ask, Is the potluck biblical? I think of Exodus 31:51-54 which records an extraordinary covenant meal that is shared by God with the elders of Israel. That’s the closest we have in Scripture to a potluck! Also in Leviticus 3; 7:11-18 worshipers customarily ate the peace offering in the sanctuary or temple area.
Bjorn Karlman, Executive Director of Adventist Today, wrote that “potluck may be the secret sauce that can help bring unity and revitalization to the Adventist church.” He gives three reasons why this humble tradition could have a profound impact.
First, potluck draws us together regardless of where we fall on the theological spectrum of Adventist beliefs. The allure of Special K Loaf or veggie lasagna transcends our ideological divides. We are united by the simple joy of breaking bread (and sampling tofu creations) together.
Second, potluck has a unique way of lowering our defenses. It’s the low-budget, hyper-local version of an exotic retreat getaway. We feel release from the drudgery of the preceding sermon as we bask in the dopamine rush of digging into taco salad and chatting with friends. This lowered barriers allow authentic conversations to unfold.
Third, the open dialogue fostered by potluck puts us in an aspirational mindset about Adventism’s future. We can become more gracious listeners and sharers, dropping the trench warfare mentality that can prevail in business meetings and committee sessions. The best ideas and visions can emerge organically over a plate of CHIP-approved fajitas.
Potluck reminds us that at our core,
Adventists are a spiritual family,
and building that spiritual family involves a casserole
of healthy and delectable food.
Never skip the church potluck!
