The Table
Faith and Practices
Table Story
Much of Jesus' ministry, both before and after his resurrection, took place at the table with his disciples, religious leaders, and many others. Most striking is how "wildly inclusive" he was in the companions he chose. When Jesus ate and drank with "sinners," he did so with clear intent to extend shalom to outsiders. When he fed the hungry, he demonstrated the very present goodness and justice of the reign of God. Jesus' table practices were inseparably linked with his mission to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight for the blind. The early church continued Jesus' table practices in their community gatherings, frequently "breaking bread" together, welcoming outsiders who were drawn to the goodness of life in Christ. And as they participated around the Lord's Table, they remembered Jesus' death and celebrated his living presence made known to them in "the breaking of the bread."
As an emerging Mennonite church in Harrisonburg, we want to continue to learn from Jesus' table practices. And so we confess this faith:
We hear and know through the Scriptures, the witness of God's people, and the Holy Spirit--
that God loves the world and created it good;
that the world is infested with evil that traps, deceives, kills and destroys;
that God in Jesus Christ acted decisively to deliver us from evil;
that through Jesus' life, death and resurrection, God¹s salvation became available for the
whole world, a salvation intent on restoring goodness in all of God's realm;
that through confession of faith, believers' baptism and the indwelling Holy Spirit we are birthed
into new life as adopted children in God's family;
that this new family, the church, is God's way of showing the character of God's salvation--
the joy, love, unity, peace, hope and justice that God desires for all humankind;
that as children of God, we become disciples and friends of Jesus who turn from serving
ourselves to serve God in the world.
As we taste and see that God is good, we join Jesus in welcoming others to his table, to the fellowship of his friends.
Table Practices
Because we share these core convictions, we commit ourselves to these Table Practices.
We covenant together to:
Share the story of God's salvation and, in particular, the story of Jesus Christ, the expression of God's self and
God's shalom for the world.
Listen when alone and together to the Spirit, to the Word of God, and to the world, to actively discern how to live
as God's children.
Seek to follow Christ faithfully and joyfully in life, offering the good news of God's saving restoration in active
witness and service to our neighbors.
Draw from ancient wisdom and multi-ethnic streams for our worship, making music and singing songs with deep
histories and heart-felt rhythms, dramatizing biblical stories, opening spaces for prayer, testifying to God's goodness.
Break bread and celebrate the eucharist weekly, inviting all who want to walk with Jesus to the Lord's Table, where
grace is offered and makes its claim on our lives.
Offer holistic hospitality with word, deed and good food, acknowledging that we are all broken people in need of
loving encounters with God in community.
Invite servant leaders who work together as a team to lead us, to serve as table hosts, and to provide guidance
and structure for our worship, fellowship and service.
Name each other's gifts, offering spiritual direction, calling out and equipping each for participation in God's mission
in the world.
Integrate worship and learning across the generations, celebrating, confessing, telling stories, praying, discerning,
and serving intergenerationally whenever possible.
Nurture personal faith in daily prayer and meditation on the Scriptures, with transparency in the Spirit¹s presence;
nurture corporate faith with shared practices in worship, hospitality, holy living and service.
Share our lives and possessions freely as energetic stewards of the earth's bounty; live simply and in harmony with
God¹s good creation.
Expect deepening commitment to Christ and voluntary, wholehearted participation in body life, offering our
resources and ourselves for the emerging Kingdom of God.
Agree to be accountable to each other, living open lives of authenticity and integrity; creating safe spaces to
confess sin and be honest about our questions and lifestyle.
Advocate in the public sphere on behalf of the poor and marginalized when moved to do so by the Holy Spirit and by
Jesus' word that what we do for the least of these, we do for him.
Work for peace and justice in the Spirit of Jesus, showing our all too violent and mean-spirited world a
compassionate, courageous alternative modeled best on his non-violent love for enemies.
Interpret the Scriptures in light of the Mennonite Confession of Faith and remain rooted in the Mennonite Church
USA while learning from many rich and deep spiritual streams.
Remember, with thanks and humility, that we are who we are by the generous mercy of God, the giver of all that is
good.
Table Design Team, Revised 10/27/2006
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