Ah, the church potluck—a sacred institution where faith, fellowship, and delicious casseroles come together. Whether a seasoned veteran or a first-time attendee, you should know a few unspoken rules and strategies before diving into the buffet line. Consider this your official guide to navigating the most blessed of all communal dining experiences.
Our church is a magical place where there’s no need for a potluck sign-up sheet. On the second Sunday of the month (even Super Bowl Sunday), the church members create a delicious, shareable meal. Some dishes remain the same, while new recipes come and go. Surprisingly, there’s always a balance between main dishes, salads, and desserts. Everyone comes together to create a beautiful spread.
A successful potluck contains the three fundamental food groups:
- Casseroles – The ultimate potluck currency often made with condensed soup and topped with something crunchy.
- Slow Cooker Mysteries – You will see at least four crockpots, (un-labeled), all plugged into a single overloaded outlet. Could be chili, could be meatballs, could be someone’s experimental stew best approached with both faith and caution.
- Desserts That Defy Logic – Jello salads that somehow count as a side dish, brownies that disappeared before you even got in line, and an inexplicable cake covered in shredded coconut (because someone’s grandma insisted).
Finding a seat is like a high-stakes game of musical chairs. If you sit too early, you’ll get stuck watching everyone else eat first. Sit too late, and you’ll end up at the “kids’ table” with a toddler throwing mashed potatoes. It’s best to identify a strategic location near someone who brought good food. If you’re lucky, they might share their recipe. Make sure no one sits alone because making new friends is a real benefit to this gathering.
Here are some unwritten rules when it comes to pot-lucking.
- Thou shalt not start in the middle. Just get in line and wait your turn.
- Thou shalt take reasonable portions. Yes, Mrs. Johnson’s famous mac and cheese is life-changing, but leave some for others.
- Thou shalt not ask, “What is this?” in a loud voice. If you don’t know, just take a small sample, pray over it, and move on.
As the meal winds down, seasoned churchgoers know that there are only two types of leftovers:
- The Dishes That Disappear Instantly – Someone’s homemade banana pudding? Gone. Those perfect deviled eggs? Vanished without a trace.
- The Eternal Leftovers – That suspicious hot tuna casserole will sit, unclaimed, until someone takes pity and “accidentally” drops it on the way out. (Avoid bringing hot tuna to any enclosed space)
If you stay to help clean up, congratulations—you are now among the holiest of volunteers. Your reward? First dibs on any leftover pie and the eternal gratitude of the exhausted event organizer who is still trying to figure out who brought the unmarked crockpot and left it behind
Church potlucks are a beautiful mix of tradition, mystery, and the occasional gastrointestinal gamble. No matter what ends up on your plate, remember that the real blessing is the fellowship.
Whatever you do today, try to find an upcoming church potluck! There’s a good possibility it could be life-changing!