Church dinners and various other functions and times of fellowship are an important part of the life of a church.
Different churches need to plan and prepare in a way that suits the individual assembly. The following list will explain how church functions are conducted at Salem Bible Church.
Normally, we do not charge for meals.
To do so would be a rare exception to the rule.
Since we don’t charge, and since food is not free, it is the responsibility of church members to bring enough food for the function.
For those who do not like to cook there is often a sign up sheet to donate cash to buy supplies (table cloths, decorations, etc.)
Most often the ladies’ planning committee posts SIGN UP sheets and folks who attend the meal sign up to bring food.
How it works:
If you have five people in your family coming to the meal, sign up to bring the monetary equivalent of what it would cost to feed this meal to your family of five at home… and a little extra for visitors.
Example: If we are having a ham dinner with all the fixins’, and you are bringing a family of five, (and you know it costs about $20.00 to feed your family a ham dinner at home) then sign up to bring $20.00 worth of whatever it is you sign up to bring (whether it is ham, butter, napkins, etc.)
If you bring a family of five to a ham dinner and sign up to bring one stick of butter, you are not doing your fair share, and someone else will have to pay for feeding your family or there will not be enough food for the function.
If there is a financial need and you are not able to help out with the food, then by all means – come and enjoy the meal and the fellowship. Each family who does sign up is encouraged to bring a “little extra” for just such a purpose! And we are GLAD to do so!
“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” (II Cor. 8:12)
We mention this because folks who are new to the church may not understand how things are done here. Some churches charge a fee and everything is done for you. Here, we like to get everyone involved in the “work of the ministry.” Every church has its own way of putting on church dinners, hence the explanation. Also, this serves as a good reminder for each of us to do our fair share. Oftentimes (human nature being what it is!) it seems like a few end up bringing most of the food and others do not.
“For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:? ?But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.” (II Cor. 8:13-15)
And of course EVERYTHING we bring to a church function ought to be brought cheerfully, willing, and out of a spirit of grace. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (II Cor. 9:7) ?I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. (II Cor. 8:8)
Even in the mundane things of life (eating and drinking) all is to done for the glory of God. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (I Cor. 10:31)