It Started With a Casserole: Understanding Ministry Shares

I’ll be honest — when I first started presenting on Ministry Shares, I could feel the room brace itself.

You know the posture. Polite. Attentive. Slightly wary.

So we’ve been trying something different.  We started talking about potlucks.

I opened with, “What do casseroles, Jell-O salad, naan bread, and Safe Church training have in common?” And just like that, people leaned forward instead of leaning back.

Over the past few months, our Canadian Advancement team has been reframing Ministry Shares as a potluck. Not because we’re trying to be cute — but because it works.

As we walk through the metaphor, something interesting happens. When we describe Canadian Ministries as the kind of steady, filling dish that holds a table together — justice, reconciliation, Indigenous Ministries, belonging cohorts — people nod. 

When we talk about Resonate bringing global flavor, or Thrive strengthening congregations through Safe Church and Dwell, or Calvin Seminary forming leaders like bread sustains a meal, it starts to click. The metaphor doesn’t shrink the work — it makes it accessible. It helps people see how distinct each ministry is, and how necessary.

People start to see the whole table.

Instead of “What does my ministry get?” the conversation becomes, “Look at what we’re building together.”

With more than 200 Canadian churches contributing over $5.5 million annually, this isn’t small potatoes. It’s a feast. And framing it this way lifts every ministry in the room. It creates space for us to speak well of one another’s work.

What’s been most encouraging to me personally is that this hasn’t stayed “an Advancement thing.” Colleagues from other teams have started presenting the Potluck — in Classis settings and churches — and adding their own voice. That shared ownership? That’s the win.

If you’re heading into a Classis or church conversation and want to borrow the slides, please do. We’re happy to share everything. It’s about helping people see the beauty of the whole table.

And honestly? It’s been a joy to watch.

Bon appétit.