Country Church Cooking
By Shelli Mosteller
BEV: Hi there, and welcome to another episode of Country Church Cooking. I’m your host Bev Martin. Each week we bring you tantalizing tidbits from the pulpit. Whether it’s Faith Frappes or Chili Con Carne Christians, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Country Church Cooking. Let’s see what’s in the pot today.
Today we’re making one of my favorite meals-- Church A La King. You can serve this as a main dish or take it to your next potluck; we’re talking comfort food. You start with a small- to medium-sized group of believers. Now, when I say believers, I’m talking Christians-- people who share a common faith that’s based on what’s taught in the Bible. Salvation by grace, Jesus is the Son of God, basic points like that. The size, shape, and color really vary, so you never know exactly what you’re going to get. But that’s the beauty of this dish; it’s different every time you make it. Now I will tell you, you have to be careful handling these because they can bruise easily.
For this particular church, I’m going to make a sauce. For a base, we’ll start with a really nice facility, a church building with lots of room and style, very nice. We’re going to add to that a just few programs and ministries for flavor and texture. And then gently fold in weekly worship and we’re going to let that simmer on low.
Now, while that’s simmering, we’re going to make a rub for our church. We’ll start with some mild flavorings: some encouragement, fellowship, lots of love. We’re going to mix that together and gently, very gently, we’re going to rub that in. See how gently I do that? Very nice, even, gentle circles. Now, isn’t that nice? See the uniformed texture, how nice and even that is? It’s a happy church.
Now let’s check our sauce. Should be about done. Yes, perfect. See how creamy and smooth it is? No lumps or discoloration. Just right. Let’s take a taste. Well, that’s nice. Very pleasant. I don’t know, I-- Let me get a member of our studio audience – Scott, could you come here and taste this for me?
Scott comes up and "tastes" the sauce. He makes a polite face.
BEV: What do you think?
SCOTT: (trying to be polite) Well, it’s—nice.
BEV: Nice. Uh huh, that’s what I thought. Let’s face it; it tastes like hospital food.
SCOTT: It’s not bad, it just doesn’t have a whole lot of flavor to it. Wait, let’s look at the recipe. Maybe you left something out. (picks up recipe card and reads) Yeah, look, see? For a zestier church, add the following ingredients: Matt. 5:13 and 14 "You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world."
BEV: 1 Cor. 12: 7 "A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church."
SCOTT: Titus 3:14 "For our people should not have unproductive lives. They must learn to do good by helping others who have urgent needs."
BEV: But Scott, that’s pretty spicy stuff.
SCOTT: I know, but look at the next one.
BEV: Matt. 25:40 "The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’" Okay, pour it in!
SCOTT: Bam! Heb. 10:24 "Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds."
BEV: Bam! Luke 6:38 "If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over."
SCOTT: (tastes) Now that’s got a kick to it!
BEV: Looks like we’ve got some more work to do on this church but that’s all we have time for today. Serve your church up any way you like it – mild, medium, or bold. Personally, I like mine extra spicy!
SCOTT: Me too!