A Reflection

I find it crazy to think that my first Table of Life experience was only two months ago. I feel like I’ve just joined, but also like I’ve been a part of this community for longer than that.

Zach has asked me to write a final reflection on my experience with Table of Life – what’s working well; what could be improved; how the unique format of Table of Life has helped me grow; how I hope the church continues to develop in the future. It feels like such a tall order. I don’t know what to write, or how to write it. I’m just the intern; who am I to be the spokesperson for Table of Life? Who am I to write the grand synopsis for this new church – much less on a public website, where anyone and everyone can see?

But the more I think about it, the more I realize that I’m not just the intern. The Table of Life community has opened its arms to me from the very first Sunday I attended, and has made me a member of the community without question or preamble. And maybe that’s enough qualification to write this reflection. So, without further ado, I present to whoever’s reading this: my honest thoughts on Table of Life.

Pros:

First, one of the biggest things I love about Table of Life is that it’s a personal community. As I mentioned, everyone has been welcoming and genuinely caring from the start. And as we’ve begun to see newer folks come around, Table of Life has been equally as welcoming to strangers as to people they already know. There’s time for intentional connection built into the sermon format, with opportunities to pray for and get to know each other.

Perhaps because of this heightened sense of community, it’s extremely easy to get involved. Through an app called Band, members can sign up to bring food, drinks, or supplies with a single tap on a screen. It’s also easy to get involved with taking care of the younger kids during the service. Members can get involved in the service itself – singing, playing instruments, reading Bible verses, and sharing the communion bread and wine. All of this adds to the sense of community.

Cons:

My only real “complaints” about Table of Life are that the weather doesn’t always cooperate, and that my parents have not yet attended with me. The less than ideal weather can be a chance to trust in the Lord’s provision – as Zach explained in a recent email newsletter. (To sign up for the newsletter, see the homepage.) And my parents’ commitment to our usual church is not a bad thing at all; I’m just used to sitting next to them during services – when I’m home from college, that is. Our different church experiences this summer have given us something to talk about, and I know they’d like to visit Table of Life at some point.

How Table of Life has helped me:

Table of Life has put an emphasis on making Christ part of my everyday life. With every interaction I have with family, friends, or a stranger, I find myself thinking of ways I can show the light of Christ to them and/or encourage them to join me on a Sunday morning.

As I’ve mentioned previously – I’ve probably talked about it too much already, but oh well – Table of Life has truly become a church family to me. I love my old church. I love the people, the familiarity, the history I have within the walls. But that church, like several traditional churches, feels more like an assembly meeting than a family gathering – or potluck. (Oh, I get it now.) While going to a traditional church can sometimes feel like nothing more than an obligation, Table of Life feels like a reunion that I can’t wait to get to. I look forward to waking up earlier than I would normally want to. (And for a college student with a messed-up sleep schedule, that’s saying something.)

How I want to see Table of Life grow:

The most obvious way anyone wants to see any church grow is in the number of attendees or members. I love that we’re already seeing a few new people show up, and I’m sure we’re all hoping that they’ll tell their friends, and even more people will attend the following week or month. How exciting will it be when we can’t all fit in one pavilion anymore!

However, the more I talk with Zach about his vision for the church, the more I realize another kind of growth is perhaps even more important. In order to have the most impact, I believe Table of Life needs to grow in its love for the Lord, in its spiritual gifts, and in its discipleship of people who already attend potlucks and breakout brunches. In this way, we will become a church of strong spiritual warriors. The communities around us will see our faith, our hope, our joy in the face of struggle, and our love for God and people, and the Lord will draw them in.

As I wrap up my internship with Zach, I want to thank Table of Life for being my home-away-from-home this summer. You’ve become my church family and consistently provided a space for me to explore and grow in my faith. I’m already looking forward to coming back the next time I’m home from college.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

-1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)