The Table: A Forming and Sending Entity

JULY 2, 2024   |   2 MINUTE READ
CONNOR OWEN, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

The table. It’s a few pieces of wood held together with screws. If it looks like mine, it’s scratched, dinged, and a little wobbly.

Its meaning, however, comes in what happens while sitting around it.

James leading a team of Asbury University students with Gabe Ernst (WGM Asbury former president) and Andy Bowen in Paraguay

The Table and How It Forms Us

At the table, identity is formed. Stories are told. And children learn who they are and whose they are.

We see a tangible example of this in the Jewish community. Jews make up .2% of the world’s population, yet they account for over 20% of Nobel prizes awarded.

How is that possible? Some believe that it’s because the Jewish people have ancient traditions of regularly gathering around the table with multiple generations, telling the story of who they are.

So when Jewish children step into adolescence and adulthood, they’re not looking for their identity or on a quest to determine who they are. They are firmly rooted in their identity. At age 20, they’re knee-deep in studies to become doctors, lawyers, professors, or teachers.

The average American family, however, is not gathering at the table. A mere 30% of American families regularly gather around the table. And this means that the place where deep formation occurs is not present for 70% of American children, resulting in generations of young evangelical adults on identity quests in their 30s, while their Jewish counterparts are already forming successful careers because they never had to question who they were.

James leading a time of response to Jesus and His call at Global Café, a weekly service where about 150 Asbury students worship and hear the message of "Abide and Go."

The Table and How It Sends Us

Just off the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, KY, James Ballard hosts 150-plus Asbury students each week at Global Café. And what’s the main thing that gathers them?

Yes, they talk about missions.

Yes, they have worship.

And yes, they read scripture.

But it’s the table and hospitality that brings these students to Global Café. It’s at the table where conversations occur. Where time to process life takes place. Where students learn not only who they are—but whose they are.

And at this table, we’re seeing students on fire for God. From this table, they’re being sent to places like Paraguay. With three young missionaries in Paraguay now serving long-term, many going for the summer, and even more going on trips for a few weeks—this table James has set is resulting in a generation of Asbury students following God to the ends of the earth.

The table draws students in and it sends them out.

The Table Is Magnetic and Propelling

James is seeing students desiring the table, wanting to be at it. But then from there, he’s seeing them be sent.

It’s like the table is a both/and.

It draws them in. And it sends them out.

Maybe that’s why Jesus used tables so much that He was accused of being a glutton. He realized He could use the table to bring people into His fold, and then at the same time, send those very people to the world.

So as Global Café’s table grows, so does the kingdom in places like Paraguay.

It’s the table, with all its nicks and cracks and wobbly legs, that creates kingdom movements, one meal at a time.

ACTION STEPS:

Pray: Take time today to pray over your table and each seat at it. Ask God how He wants you to use your table to form and send those who sit around it each day. And then ask His Spirit to speak through you at each meal.