Table Network

@drewdyck One of our faves.

"The religious impulse is easier to rebrand than to extinguish." - David Zahl, in Seculosity

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Prov. 22:6) . . #grace #goodnews #table #church #bethechurch #love #faith #disciple #freetorest #tribecalledrest #misfits #findrest #slowdown #neighborhood #missions #reclaim

We're in a planning stage with our podcast right now. We're trying to figure out direction and next steps. Help: what did you dig most about seasons 1 & 2 of The Slow Down Podcast? What format or topics would interest you moving forward? How well is Tony's face suited for radio?

We're in #California this week networking with leaders, churches, and everyday people interested in the Network and our Reclaim training. We're also slowing down with Table members and partners. Let us know if we should plan a trip to be in your neck of the woods in 2020.

One Way Love . . . #grace #recklessgrace #goodnews #jesus #table #church #wearechurch #everydaypeople #indiscriminate #bethechurch #love #godslove #itisfinished #faith #discipleship #freetorest #tribecalledrest #misfits #churchplanter #findrest #slowdown #missions #life #reclaim

"The Church is divided from the world solely based by the fact that she affirms in faith the reality of God's acceptance of man, a reality which is the property of the whole world." . . #grace #goodnews #jesus #table #church #wearechurch #everydaypeople #itisfinished #faith

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." –J.R.R. Tolkien #grace #table #church #wearechurch #bethechurch #love #itisfinished #faith #discipleship #freetorest #tribecalledrest #slowdown #inviteothers #neighborhood #life

Who are you wasting time with this weekend? #slowdown #grace #jesus #table #church #wearechurch #everydaypeople #indiscriminate #bethechurch #love #discipleship #disciplemaker #freetorest #tribecalledrest #churchplanter #findrest #inviteothers #neighborhood #life #reclaim

People long for connection, so it’s only fitting that millions of us are seeking it through a variety of media platforms. What's often found there, however, is only a crumb of the community we desire. Open up your home, table, and life to those around you. You won't regret it.

Love us some Brennan Manning. #grace #recklessgrace #goodnews #jesus #table #church #wearechurch #everydaypeople #indiscriminate #bethechurch #love #godslove #itisfinished #faith #discipleship #disciplemaker #freetorest #tribecalledrest #misfits #churchplanter #findrest #slowdown

People may be temporarily inspired by our successes, but they can never truly connect w/ us apart from hearing our failures. God’s goodness needs the spotlight, not our two-bit efforts to wrestle religion into submission.

RECLAIM (v.) 1. Retrieve or recover (something previously lost, given, or paid); obtain the return of. “Table Network is seeking to reclaim the ancient way of the table as a means to enjoying & extending the freedom & family of Jesus among those uninterested in the church.”

A Church family celebrates & cries together. We toast & have our tiffs. We encourage, & receive encouragement. We share & ask for help in tough times. Here, we know & are known. Needy & needed. It's participatory. Mutual. Messy. At times, mundane & there's always room for more.

Maybe it's just us, but it seems the weight of feeling as though we need to constantly be the holiest, saltiest, brightest lights on the block is what's causing some of the burn-out. Who can live up to this? When did perseverance of the saints turn into performance of the saints?

"Reclaim Training helped us rethink what it looks like to live in freedom & walk w/ others in discipleship. It moved us away from a checklist version of religion to a restful relationship w/ Jesus—one that empowers us to share Good News w/ others as we go." –Sara/Indianapolis

The simple elements of bread and a cup remind us that you don't have it all together in order to belong or participate. The hard work has already been done. Grab hold by faith. Rest. Enjoy. Oh, and when you do this with others—that's called the Church. #grace #table #church

The communion meal Paul describes was so large that some were getting drunk and so essential that others depended on it for a daily meal. This is a far cry from a wafer and a thimble. #together #table #church

“This is what God's kingdom is like: a bunch of outcasts and oddballs gathered at a table, not because they are rich or worthy or good, but because they are hungry, because they said yes. And there's always room for more.” –Rachel Held Evans

ISO: Everyday people who not only feel the gap between the church and the world but have the heart to bridge it. If that’s you, we’re here to help. Drop a line at thetablenetwork.com!

We have several speaking engagements scheduled for fall & winter. It doesn't matter if it's a brewery, a backyard, or a Sunday gathering–we love any opportunity we can find to connect w/ those who feel the gap between the church & the world & long to bridge it. Drop us a line!