06 Jun 05 Dynamic Equivalent

As we approach the Biblical text, in terms of application, it is often necessary to find a dynamic equivalent. We sure found a great one yesterday.

We had dinner on the grounds yesterday. Not everyone actually ate on the ground, although a few people did, most sat at tables. Our Hispanic brothers and sisters hosted the entire church to a fellowship meal following our morning services. Grilled fajita steak, sausages, chicken, salads, pupusas, iced-tea and ice-cream. Throw in some Dr. Pepper and I would have been listening for trumpets!

Now if you’ve never had a pupusa, you don’t know what you’ve been missing. A pupusa is basically a thick homemade tortilla (made from masa) stuffed with cheese, beans and meat cooked to a golden brown on a grill. Were God to have called Latin American people to a new land a new country he would have sent pupusas from heaven instead of manna.

In spite of the humidity (yes it has finally arrived) and the heat we had a fabulous time enjoying much food and abundant fellowship. It was great seeing God’s people acting like God’s people.

I was struck this morning by the changes that occur within the body outside the auditorium. (I’m speaking generally at this point) Inside the auditorium we have all these rules. We make it so difficult. It’s hard for people to get along. We fight we bicker all while pinching off a small piece of bread or sipping from a small cup. Outside on the lawn, or inside in the fellowship hall, there are no such rules. We laugh, we listen, we have seconds and we learn to love.

What happens outside on that lawn, what happens inside that fellowship hall is the community which the early believers enjoyed. I can’t help but think we would be quite effective in reaching others if those looking for Christ spent more time with us on the lawn than in the auditorium. Maybe the Lord would be adding daily to our number if we spent less time in church and more time cooking. Come to think of it, we should rename the auditorium. It should forever be known as the fellowship hall.

What are some of your memorable potluck, dinner on the grounds experiences?