Building Bigger Tables
Prince of Peace, this has been a year of great mission expansion! No, we haven’t planted any new churches or conducted any capital campaigns. In recent years, we’ve been pretty focused locally, but what you’ll find in the pages of this PEACE Offering is a church at work together sharing Christ’s peace locally, regionally, AND globally.
We are still planted deeply in our local neighborhood and committed to the thriving of our city. We are increasingly a hub for collaborative community conversations and service. We are also a leading church in our region and a gathering spot for connecting and empowering leaders to make an impact in their neighborhoods. We are even building friendships and sharing faith around the globe in places like Slovakia.
We are building bigger tables, not taller fences.
We are making space, welcoming people, and offering hospitality to all who come through our doors. Sometimes it’s a lavish feast while other times it’s a cup of water or a listening ear.
We are going out and joining people at their tables and being gracious guests. We are blessing hungry people by filling their tables with food. We are developing and raising up everyday missionaries and leaders because “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few,” (Matthew 9:37-38) and we are worshiping together and sharing stories of God on the move in our lives.
All of this is immersed in prayer inviting God’s presence and power–not simply relying on our own–and praying for those who don’t yet know Jesus’ peace.
Our model is simple, but it’s not always easy. These are our everyday missionary practices: Share FOOD, FRIENDSHIP, and FAITH. What’s the best way to get to know someone? Share a meal with them! Everyone needs food, and sharing a meal breaks down barriers while you enjoy unhurried time and conversation. Repeat, repeat, and repeat. Watch your friendship grow and opportunities to share your faith will abound! Sounds like the Acts 2 church to me!
In my house, we’ve taken to this standard meal prayer with a twist:
Hold hands. Close our eyes. Breath together slowly and deeply three times. Then say:
Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed. And may there be enough to share on every table everywhere. Amen.
Pastor Karl Fay
Senior Pastor
