Have you ever been to a wedding reception and waited endlessly for the meal to be served? The bride and groom are off taking pictures. Meanwhile, stomachs are grumbling audibly.

I think that’s exactly what folks from church are feeling right now.

They’re used to receptions where the main course is delicious and served right on time. Now … well, “I wish Jake and Sarah would get in here already! I’m hungry!”

I hope you are picking up on the metaphor.

For most churches, the main course is weekly corporate worship. For all the reasons we know – the experience of God’s presence, the mutual edification, the Lord’s Supper, the prayer, the singing, the sermon – the rest of our church life is built upon that central experience. It’s the main course that gets the party started. It’s a steak and potatoes sort of meal, or lobster with steaming sides. You know what you’re going to get, you like it, and you get it on time.

But like other churches in this season of COVID-19, our church hasn’t served the main course yet. And we don’t yet know when we will.

Why?

For all the safety reasons, yes.

But also because most churches that return (with masks and dramatically fewer numbers) report the experience is not the same.

So we can’t serve steak right now. It would probably be chicken nuggets at best.

What are we doing about it? Well, we’ve started serving appetizers that are really good.

We have a high-quality online worship experience weekly. Every few weeks, we host a worship time on our front lawn, with snow cones and popcorn. Our children and youth ministries are gathering for smartly regulated times of play, teaching, and worship. We offer a variety of virtual classes and small groups. We have service opportunities. And we are aiming to do each with excellence.

Sure, it takes more work to get full from hors d’oeuvres, but those who are participating are actually pretty satisfied and ready to party (i.e., participate in the mission of the church).

The question “are you back to normal worship or are you still closed?” is a false dichotomy, and too many church leaders are getting suckered into it. Don’t let Uncle Jimbo – who is sitting in the corner and getting more hangry by the minute because he’s still holding out for steak – make your decisions for you.

Instead, encourage the guests to eat their fill of the appetizers and start dancing. They may find it’s still a pretty good party.