Food. Few things affect our lives on a daily basis, in a more intimate way. We all eat.
Yet, I cannot remember the last time I heard food mentioned from a pulpit, unless it was to announce a potluck or make a passing reference to gluttony - often followed by an awkward joke about the pastor’s weight. When was the last time you heard a Sunday school lesson about food or small group study dedicated to healthy eating? I'd guess it's been a while.
I mention this, because the United States is becoming an increasingly unhealthy nation, as we consume copious amount of refined and unhealthy food. Now, I'm not a health nut, nor do I claim to be a particularly healthy eater. But, Charla and I are trying. We're taking small steps. Less refined food. Eating more vegetables. Cooking more meals at home. But, my foray into healthier eating has also been an eye opening experience for me. Eating healthy is expensive! Buying fresh fruits and vegetables can be cost prohibitive. Not to mention the time it takes to cook at home.
As a minister, and someone who is concerned with justice issues, I've begun thinking about food as an issue for the church to address. What are practices that congregations embody or would address this issue? What if churches started vegetable gardens and cooking cooperatives? What if a church offered cooking classes? Because as James Oliver reminded us this week at the TED Conference, if we don't change our ways - our food habits will kill us.
But, even if we realize our need to eat healthier, the cost can be prohibitive. Low-income families are the hardest hit buy the food crisis, because empty calories are cheap. Fruits and vegetables are expensive. Cooking at home is expensive for my wife and I, two decently paid professionals, I cannot imagine what it must be like for a family of four barely making ends meet. For more on this issue, check out LaVonne Neff's blog about eating healthy on food stamps.
I've been reading a lot about the holiness revivals this week. Revival was never confined to simply an internal salvation, but spilled over into ethical concerns in all areas of life. What does it mean to live a holy life? Some of the revivalist concerns seem outdated and antiquated to our modern ears, but their concern was living out the gospel in a public way. There prohibition on dress or even their crusades against alcohol may be hard for us to understand, but the goal was simple - how do we live out the gospel in an authentic way.
Revivalist fought against alcohol, because they saw the destructive influences alcohol on had families and communities. Diabetes is skyrocketing, weight related illnesses are on the rise and obesity is off the charts. I can't help but wonder if food issues should not be the temperance movement of our time.
Food and a shared table are central themes throughout Scripture. Not to mention the idea that our bodies are the temple of the Lord and that we have a responsibility to care for our bodies. What if food once again became central to congregations? I'm not sure what the answers are; I've only just begun to think. I'd be interested to hear other thoughts and ideas.
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