Tips for Starting a Meal Train Ministry at Your Church
July 23, 2024BruceDayne“What does it mean to be the body of Christ?”
That was the question our children’s minister asked in children’s church last week. The kids gave predictably innocent and simple answers: “Be kind to each other; help each other; bring food to each other.”
They are childlike phrases, but has the answer really changed now that we have grown up? This is still the root of how we love each other within the church: we treat each other with kindness, help when we can, and provide for earthly needs when our brother or sister is in need.
Our young adult ministry found that bringing meals was a need we could readily meet. The issue we had was organizing the meals so that the new parents or recovering patient did not end up with a freezer full of lasagna and more visitors than they could handle. Being a class of predominantly millennials and younger, we looked to technology to solve that problem, but it could easily be done with a calendar and phone calls as well.
- The site that we use is mealtrain.com. The user interface is self-explanatory and guides through what information is needed, as well as providing helpful tips on additional information to include.
- It is important to include any allergies or dietary restrictions.
- When there are children in the home, we ask specifically about what they like so that the parent is not left having to prepare dinner for them.
- We encourage our members to also bring paper products, snacks, breakfast items, and so forth to assist with other needs that the family may have as well.
- The calendar can be customized by selecting only certain days of the week for the duration of the meal train.
- For new parents, we have adopted a six to eight week period, starting roughly ten to fourteen days after the birth. This allows for the new family to settle in at home and allow for extended family to visit and care for them during that immediate period. We want to step in when needed, and we have found that the need seems to arise after a couple of weeks and lasts up to a couple of months. (Of course, this is unique to each situation. When we’ve had members with limited local family, we started sooner, and we have started later if the family had to stay in the hospital longer. In those cases, there are often additional needs you can assist in meeting.)
- For illnesses, surgeries, other recoveries, and even a death in the family, the response is much more nuanced. Depending on the sensitivity of the situation, the family may not want or need visitors. In those cases, we will include that while food is appreciated and needed, it would be most helpful if it was delivered without an accompanying visit.
- There are additional ways to contribute if we have members that cannot bring a meal.
- You can set a donation goal for household needs or medical expenses.
- If you live in an area with multiple food delivery options, that option is listed as well. You can also contribute by providing a restaurant gift card through the website.
This ministry has allowed us to interact with new or prospective members that have yet to plug into a small group. It has deepened existing relationships and nourished new relationships within our church. We do extend the invitation beyond our class and encourage intergenerational involvement, which can be the sweetest blessing.
The church is a family; we call each other brother and sister for a reason. We may not be related by DNA, but we are connected by a much more powerful blood. When we care for each other’s physical needs, we strengthen that bond. We are united in Christ and function as His hands and feet while on earth. What does it mean to truly be the body of Christ? At the end of all the study and discipleship, the answer is still very simple:
We are kind to each other. We help each other. We bring each other food.
ABOUT JESSICA PONDER
Jessica Ponder is a member of First Baptist Church, in Gadsden, AL. She sings in the choir, and is active in the children’s, youth, and women’s ministries. Jessica is COO for a wealth management firm, and in her spare time enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her husband, Ben, and dog, Nancy.
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