Much more than a meal: Serving and connecting during a pandemic

During this unprecedented and seemingly never-ending season that is COVID, fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ has taken on a new form. Togetherness during Sunday morning services is impacted by elders making very complicated decisions. Hospitality looks different and is potentially non-existent given your context, capabilities and convictions. For some, hugs and handshakes have given way to waves and greetings from six feet away. Meals around the table occur more frequently through a computer screen for some or not at all for many. May I encourage you to consider bringing someone a meal?

The ministry of meals

In days past, most churches have maintained ministries that facilitate and provide meals for the sick, elderly, or new mothers. Yet in our current context I’d wholeheartedly encourage you to consider bringing meals to your church members regardless of their family context or physical well-being. With or without a positive test swab, people in your church are suffering the effects of COVID by way of restrictions, quarantines, convictions, and fear. The single saints in your church are lonely. The college students in your church are hungry. The elderly in your church are isolated. Mothers in your church are weary. New members and visitors are disconnected. Faithful saints are unseen and forgotten. Widows are heartbroken. Your elders and staff are struggling. By God’s grace, His saints are suffering well, but they’re suffering nonetheless. Would you bring them a meal?

 Bringing someone a meal is ministry. It’s loving His Church. It’s dying to self (Luke 9:23). It’s serving a saint in need. It’s bearing one another’s burdens. Its obedience to Christ (John 15:17). It’s an encouragement to the receiver. It’s a blessing to the giver. It’s the fulfillment of the law (Galatians 5:14). It’s a tangible demonstration that you see people. It’s a meal for Christ Himself (Mt. 25:40)! It’s a declaration that the recipient is not alone in their suffering. It’s fruit of your salvation. It’s a foretaste of the heavenly feast.

But what about…?

Are there hindrances that keep you from providing a meal?

Are you unable to afford the ingredients? Find a local food pantry or join efforts with another family from your church. 

Do you work all day? Perhaps you can make the meal the night before and drop it off around your schedule. 

Are you an amateur in the kitchen? You can drop off take-out or order a meal to be delivered. 

Are you concerned about COVID? Ask your elders how you can provide a meal safely. 

Are you super busy? Double the meal you’re making for your own family and bring them half. 

Do you feel uncomfortable because you don’t know the recipient well? That’s okay! You’ll be spending eternity with them, so now is a great time to introduce yourself.

Brother, do you think that this is solely a woman’s task? It’s not. Bring someone a meal.

Are you assuming someone else is taking care of that need? Join that army. Many hands make light work.

Are you unwilling and unsure why? Pray for your heart, friend. We all struggle with this sometimes.

To those who are struggling

Are you the struggling elderly saint, the new mom or the one suffering with illness? Do not feel guilty in your time of need. The giver is more blessed than the receiver. You are blessing the giver by gladly receiving their gift. Do you feel unloved by the lack of giving, dear saint? Remember that you, too, have probably passed by opportunities to serve others. And that is okay. There is plenty of grace to go around. Make your needs known to those overseeing your soul, most notably the pastor, elders or deacons of your church. And trust that the Lord cares for you. “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matt. 6:26). You, dear saint, are worth much more than the sparrows. And Lord willing, your struggling season shall pass or let up in such a way that you, too, will able to provide a meal.

Let us, Christ’s redeemed, be a people who orchestrates our lives around serving one another. Let us not be people who see a need and turn a blind eye. Jesus has much to say about this in His parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

May I close by encouraging you to pick a name out of your church directory, find a recipe you like, and bring them a meal? Or perhaps you could contact your church staff to ask them who they think could use a meal. Though I promise, COVID is reason enough for anyone to benefit from a meal. And if you’re feeling particularly loving, you could even schedule this into your monthly routine! Jesus Himself said in John 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Your chili is much more than a meal.

Katlynne Mirabal is a pastor’s wife, serves as the children’s ministry director at Seacoast Community Church in Portsmouth, NH. Katlynne is also the host of the Miss Teacher Mom podcast, which endeavors to encourage and equip moms to raise their kids with eternity in mind.