Food can be an ideal way to foster community in churches. After all, Jesus modeled ministry by sharing meals with tax collectors and sinners.
Have you ever gathered with friends for dinner and talked until midnight? Food provides the perfect backdrop for conversation!
Breaking the ice
Food can effectively break the ice when meeting new people in your church community, helping you form friendships and spiritual ties that may aid spiritual development. Furthermore, it can provide great entertainment – so be sure to plan by bringing plenty of snacks and beverages to meetings!
Games can help break the ice among members of a small group. From simple activities, such as asking challenging questions, to complex ones, such as answering an open-ended query, being creative with games will only enhance your group experience and ensure everyone is having fun! The key is making sure everyone stays relaxed!
The Food Leaders Fellowship brings together early-stage food system leaders nationwide to facilitate personal transformation, cross-sector collaboration, and sustainable change. Applicants must lead or build initiatives to make food systems more equitable, nourishing, and regenerative – an esteemed network of values-based leaders supports fellows, thought leaders, and experts who serve as mentors and coaches during seminars and between sessions.
Boosting church attendance
Churches often struggle to attract new members. Even with stimulating sermons, quality youth and children’s ministries, and rewarding volunteer opportunities, their efforts often fall short of drawing people in. One effective strategy to boost church attendance is by strengthening fellowship – this could involve offering weekly meals to community members; such meals provide sustenance and an opportunity for people to discuss issues they are experiencing and receive spiritual advice.
Bri McKoy, a 2022-2023 Food Leaders Fellow, considers Jesus’ ministry through meals in the Gospels, such as his wedding at Cana and dinner with Zaccheus. Bri says these meals help build community while spreading God’s love to those around us.
Creating a safe space
Food and fellowship are vital components of church life because they allow members to openly express their beliefs and experiences while also creating an atmosphere in which people can relax and open up; this is especially essential for vulnerable members of the community who need an open forum where they can discuss their hardships.
The Food Systems Fellowship allows fellows to create a team and support system that empowers them to challenge the status quo and work across lines of difference. Beginning with a five-day seminar at Aspen Institute that serves as a bonding and learning experience, two additional seminars focus on workshopping the action plans fellows began developing at their initial discussion.
Additionally, the Brubakers host weekly dinners at their home that provide an intimate space for community members to gather, share their stories, and receive spiritual guidance. These dinners have grown increasingly popular and now draw participants from around the city, contributing significantly to their ministry. Now planning Grace’s Place as a permanent venue.
Providing a temporary escape
Food provides people with an outlet from life’s pressures and stressors and allows them to escape temporarily. At times, we feel overwhelmed by life and need an escape. For this reason, people go out to dinner with their friends and families – this provides a space where you can talk without focusing on work, school, or responsibilities at once!
Studies have proven the value of temporary escape for mental well-being after tragedy strikes, especially among families who eat together at dinnertime. Research indicates that those who eat together tend to experience less depression, eat healthily, and exercise regularly – increasing resilience against stressful events.
Food and Fellowship is one of four Commander precons released alongside Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. This Abzan deck focuses on making Food tokens and gaining life, offering some exciting skeleton and synergy; however, some key cards are missing or poorly implemented; it lacks board clears, making this deck an imperfect choice.
Creating a bond
Food and fellowship go hand-in-hand. Sharing a meal with new church members can help them break the ice and get acquainted quickly with other members while strengthening existing bonds between members. Furthermore, meals together offer the perfect opportunity to exchange stories and offer moral support during difficult times.
Bri McKoy notes that early Christian fellowship revolved around food – such as at Cana and Zaccheus’ dinner – as an integral component of its community-building and felt more comfortable amongst one another. She suggests that church groups hold women-only potlucks or book clubs today for a similar effect.
The Food Systems Fellowship aims to enhance Fellows’ abilities and knowledge to make positive change happen worldwide. It allows individuals to take leadership roles within their local food environments by connecting them with like-minded food leaders who share similar experiences, learning from other food leaders’ expertise, and sharing personal tales from experience. Comprised of online seminars and in-person workshops, the Fellowship equips Fellows with tools for challenging status quo thinking across lines of difference and working across these boundaries.
