It’s a national holiday that should be marked by all youth ministers and volunteer leaders…a holiday that commemorates the most consistent go-to, ministry tool since the founding of modern day youth ministry. It’s National Pepperoni Pizza Day and it’s celebrated on September 20.
Pizza and youth ministry have been co-joined since the birth of modern day youth ministry, which, curiously, coincides with the birth of pizza delivery. Pizza delivery took off in the U.S. as soldiers from World War II returned home with an appreciation for Italy’s pizza. Modern youth ministry emerged in the 1940s as para-church organizations like Young Life and Youth for Christ rose up in response to the spiritual hunger following the war.
Think of all the outreach events planned around pizza since those early youth ministry and pizza delivery days. Think of all the one-on-one conversations you’ve had over a piece of pizza. Think of all the events in which you ran out of pizza, or sometimes just as bad, bought too much. Think about how much leftover pizza you’ve pilfered out of the church fridge on the days following your pizza event. Think what we’d be using if we didn’t have pizza: Fried chicken? Lasagna? We probably wouldn’t have near the amount of outreach events as we do.
So as the nation takes a moment (or at least the part of the nation that’s keyed in to quirky national holidays), you, as a youth worker should join the commemoration. Where else can you get, within 30-60 minutes, at the touch of a few buttons, everything you need for food, entertainment, and a good backdrop for your devotional talk? All in one box! (Or 20 boxes, depending on the size of your event.)
In my observations of youth ministry over the years I have sometimes derided the use of pizza as an indicator of the state of youth ministry, declaring rather broadly, “Sometimes it seems youth ministry is just pizza and games.” But you have to think that if Jesus had access to pizza delivery like we do, He would have used it. The available foods of the day served as many backdrops in Jesus’ ministry: analogies, signs, teaching opportunities. (Although the phrase “I am the thick crust of life” doesn’t quite roll off the tongue like “bread of life.”)
In fact, try this exercise. Read the passages below (presented in historical order). As you read, make notes on the food and drink that show up in the passage. Some questions to answer:
What food or drink is mentioned here?
How is it used? (Analogy? Sign? Background?)
What spiritual impact was made?
John 2:1-12
John 6:1-14; 25-27
Matthew 22:1-14
Mark 14:22-26
Luke 24:13-32
Obviously, food was a major player in Jesus’ ministry. But why? What can you conclude about Jesus’ use of food? And does that conclusion give direction on how we might use food today? Food and youth ministry are nearly synonymous. But maybe, like Jesus, we can be more intentional (and theological?) in how we use food to reach teens.
In fact, if you’re looking for a quick way to celebrate National Pepperoni Pizza Day? Try this: What kinds of analogies can you make between pizza and the Christian faith? What might each of these represent?
-unbaked dough
-kneading/tossing of the dough
-tomato paste
-cheese
-toppings/pepperoni especially
-seasoning
-the baking process
-cut in triangles or squares?
-delivering/receiving the pizza
-sharing with friends
-sharing about your favorite pizza
-convincing others why your favorite pizza is the best pizza
If you need a couple examples to prime the pump: Kneading and tossing of dough? How about: God making himself known to us and molding us into shape. Triangles or squares? How about: our different preferences in worship style.
As soon one teen makes the first connection, your group will be off and running.
[Read or download a teen devo version of this post here.]