some like it hot

In light of recent attempts to raise Christian dating from the pits of modern society (matchmaking sites, personality tests, IM, etc.), I was awakened today to the reality that my church has an amusing alternative. After service today, all the single people in the church were invited to a chili cook-off in the fellowship hall, and were told it would be a time of meeting and greeting other young adults. Initially my students were skeptical, as they wondered what such an interaction, formed by the hands of an obviously crafty gray-haired pastor, would entail. But they were even more skeptical when they found out that they had to bring their own chili and offer it to everyone else. Some thought this was just too strange. For starters, with the timing of the lunch, you couldn't just go out and buy some beans and beef after service. You had to bring it with you in the morning beforehand, and how many 20-something single guys own a crock-pot?

Well despite a few noticeable boycotts, we had a decent turnout, and the chili was all very good. I must say though, it was more than a little odd when they made everyone in the room stand and say something about themselves (these are my hobbies, etc.). I think it might have even been weirder if they would have had each dainty, pretty girl stand around the outside with her pride in a pot, and have the guys come around saying: "Hey baby, can I try some of yours? Spicy? That's okay. I like 'em hot!"

I was asked to get up and talk for a couple of minutes (either because I'm single and still know how to smile, or because I work with people who are), and I honestly just told them about our upcoming missions trip and our Chi Alpha group. If they wanted anything moral or insightful about living as a Christian single, I seriously bombed. And if they wanted me to say, "Let's have all the guys on this side of the room, all the ladies over there. Okay, now we're going to blindfold you, and we want you to take your pot and your spoon, and we want you to see if you can get your chili into another person's mouth across the room. If you do, you're in super luck, because you win a nice dinner for two at Lupo's on Main Street. Ready? GO!" Yep, I really bombed.