Why Plant Table of Life Church?
Tables in the Bible
2 Samuel 9
Mephibosheth was a Grandson of Saul. In one day Mephibosheth’s Grandfather, and Father were killed and his legs were permanently maimed. Shortly after, David was declared King. Being Saul’s Grandchild, Mephibosheth hid from David. But David wanted to honor Saul and Jonathon and Sought out Mephibosheth. In Love and Grace, David invited him to eat at his TABLE for the rest of their lives. David made his Enemy his Family.
Matthew 22
In Matthew 22 Jesus tells a parable about a wedding feast. The invited guests don’t show. The master sends servants to get them and the invitees refuse. so the host sends servants far and wide to invite anyone to the wedding. When they arrive, the host invites them in and makes them his family.
Luke 22
In Luke 22 Jesus spends a final night with his disciples. He takes the Passover bread and wine and declares “my body broken for you, eat… my blood poured out for you, drink… do this in remembrance of me.” At this table Jesus invites us to believe in him, making our substance and center of our lives about his death and resurrection.
Pastor Zach McAlack
Table in My Life
GOD’S TABLE OF LIFE INVITED ME TO BELONG TO HIS FAMILY
The first time we visited New Hope Community Church they were hosting a potluck for church. About 80 people brought their family favorite foods and laid them out on a giant table. The Church was scattered at tables around a cafeteria where we ate, sang praise, prayed, and heard The Word preached. New Hope Community Church had begun meeting just a year earlier and was determined to reach New Hope, Pennsylvania with the GOSPEL (New Hope is famous for its high LGBTQ and Wiccan populations). What I remember most about New Hope Community Church was the way they made strangers and people who didn’t know Jesus, feel like they belonged among us. When anyone walked into the meeting space they were greeted with the offering of a hug.
GOD’S TABLE OF LIFE CALLS ME TO BELIEVE IN JESUS
During Seminary we gathered around Dr. Barry Jones’ table for Spiritual Formation Class. For 80 minutes twice a week a dozen men sat together and spoke deeply into one another’s lives. Together we discovered that following Jesus meant being molded by Jesus so that my life became his life. We discussed true belief as aligning my life with Jesus’ life. We spent much time in prayer, learned from spiritual giants of old, and explored how to live Jesus’ life in our modern world. Everyone at that Table was deeply formed by the Mentorship of Dr. Barry Jones whose own life exemplified a life filled with Jesus.
GOD’S TABLE OF LIFE IS COMPELLING ME TO BECOME AN APPRENTICE MAKER
Dave Ridder was the first Pastor to directly mentor me. Every Month we’d sit together at the coffee table in his office. He’d listen to my woes and the struggles of ministry. Then he’d point me back to Jesus and the wonder of The GOSPEL. At this coffee table Dave helped shape me into the apprentice maker I need to be and imparted wisdom that still guides me in leadership today.
