Practice of the Month: September

SHARING MEALS

We believe community is best grown around the table. Everyone has to eat. We do it everyday, and no matter how busy we are, we usually find time for food. So why not use these times to grow deeper relationships both with our church community and the people around us?

In the Bible we see Jesus constantly having meals with all kinds of people. Hospitality is a powerful way to show love and welcome people in because deeper connection happens when we break bread around a table. We ask questions and share our stories. We laugh. We learn about the hard things others have been through. And suddenly, we start moving from acquaintances to real friends.

The cool thing is that this simple practice can be used for both church community and mission. It’s a core part of the way of life we see the early church in Acts committing to and it was a core part of Jesus’ missional strategy. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, just send an invite and give it a go!

"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer… They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity’"  ACTS 2:42,46 NLT

Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” LUKE 5:29-31 NIV

Watch these vintage VCOV practices videos:
RELATIONSHIPS PRACTICE VIDEO
NEIGHBORING PRACTICE VIDEO