While we definitely experience communal rhythms of spiritual formation and discipleship at The Table, the intent is not to replace the local church. Rather, it seeks to fill a gap missing in many believers’ current experiences with church. The Table focuses on strengthening the Kingdom as a whole and the larger Body of Christ. It can enrich the people in the local Church in the following ways:

• Believers can connect with and learn from many others in the Body beyond their church building, denomination, or usual worship expression, expanding their Kingdom mindset and awareness of God’s work in the world outside their circles.

• At the Table, believers experience a circular model of community. It feels less like a tightly produced service and more like a living room conversation.

• At the Table, everyone gets to play. The Body of Christ needs every member, and to hear from every member. We give time for people to share -- whether it is testimonies, something one’s been chewing on in the Word, or a valley one is currently walking in. At the Table, you might hear from the young and the old, from the reserved or the charismatic, from the teacher and the prophet. It’s not without order, but the structure is less of a tight grip and more of a trellis on which life can freely—albeit wildly—grow. There is a schedule, but it can be a little more relaxed and open to variations and surprises than a traditional Sunday morning service often can afford to be.

• At the Table, there is more time to settle in for a meal and have connecting conversations.

• There is no staff at the Table; it is organized and realized by the Body of Christ as we yield to the Holy Spirit. There is no pressure on any person or group to “create” a respectable evening; beautiful things happen when believers gather together in Christ’s name. This also means that the Table is a place where many pastors and leaders can rest and receive in ways that are hard for them to at their church on a Sunday.

• The Table is evangelistic by nature: it is a place where one might more easily invite their unsaved neighbors. Many who would be reluctant to go to a traditional church service might give stronger consideration to a more casual expression of worship centered around a community meal at a home.

You are welcome to join in any time!

I wrote this text to the York County Prayer team members the day after our last Table gathering (read here for some backstory on the Table!) in our barn on July 19th, as not all of them could attend that one. I removed the names in the testimonies, but you get the idea!

“I’ll try my best to give a recap of the Table last night! We are just blown away by the Lord’s goodness and His presence among His people. There was a good turnout, and almost half were new. One couple had brought several new people they felt led to invite. For worship, we tried something different and set up the band and speakers facing outward - I loved that dynamic, and it felt so freeing. People were worshipping in the barn, under the pavilion, way out in the field: dancing, flags, shofar blasting. I saw a couple we’ve been praying for holding each other close in the field as we worshiped. God is drawing them! After that, we handed out slips of paper (where I had typed unique scriptures on each) for personal reflection and sharing in the small group time. Many shared that the particular verse they picked really spoke to them, which is exactly what I had been praying for! There was a family who drove two hours to come, and they shared powerful testimony of God’s healing for their little girl that we prayed for at the Table last year. Another man said he was literally in a plane crash that day and walked away without a scratch. One woman shared about Africa and led us in prayer for our team of three currently in Liberia. One gentleman then asked if we could pray for a young woman whom he noticed had stomach pains. We gathered around for prayer. Prophetic words spoken over her and deep healing. People then prayed for each other in small groups. Another friend told my wife that she didn’t even notice at the time, but her back pain was gone! Afterward, my wife and I spoke with a new couple who have been hearing from the Lord and are starting a Table in the place they are going to move to soon! The Lord told them all about it, even the name “Table” before they even knew there was such a thing! They happened to tell a mutual friend last week about it, and she was like, “Yeah, there is one meeting here this Saturday!” It is so evident that the Holy Spirit is orchestrating all this. He is so good. Miss y’all! See you soon.”

So why do I share this? From our perspective as the hosts, I share this not to brag at all—only to brag on the Lord! If anything, my wife and I are just as clueless as anyone else as to what the Lord has planned for each gathering. We just make space for Him and expect Him to move... and He always does! And for me, as the "emcee" during the night, there is a great relief in knowing that the success of the gathering does not depend on me. While there is important preparation, ultimately, we just open our space to the Lord and He does the rest. Anyone can do that. And I would love to see similar gatherings popping up everywhere—different groups gathered around a table, connecting with God and one another, sharing as the Lord leads, and seeing Him move in power!

The Table was an idea of the Holy Spirit, the result of His stirring in many hearts, incubating in dreams and prayer…until one day, through the holy imagination and “yes” of team members Andrew and , it was birthed at their home in 2022. It started with about 20-30 people and grew organically until one day we were looking at almost 100 beloveds filling every space of their precious God-given home. We knew there was something about this kind of gathering that was needed—different than a Sunday-morning church expression, more inclusive than a small group. It was a third space where people from any denominational (or even faith) background could easily come, invite seekers who were perhaps reluctant about walking into a church building, and find opportunities for testimony, questions, deep connection, and personal ministry time. Our heart’s desire was to communicate in our words and actions the following: “No matter where you’re coming from or what you’re carrying, you are welcome and have a seat at the Table of Christ.” We saw so many amazing things happen in those first few years (healings, deep heart ministry, someone bringing their unsaved neighbor who received Jesus that night, one man getting baptized in the Holy Spirit when a Presbyterian minister’s wife laid her hands on him in silent prayer, tears, art, creativity, beauty). And then it began to multiply (our team helped the Charlotte Prayer Room launch a Table, our own YCP team members Andy and Lisa Tonkin felt called to start one at their beautiful farm, and even a community in Liberia began one)! We were also seeing that third-space gatherings called “The Table” were happening all over the globe, and indeed had been for some time. This was truly in the heart of the Father and being birthed solely by the Holy Spirit.

So fast forward to today…

Currently, the Table at the Paden’s is on indefinite pause as they lean into other things the Lord is asking them to birth and steward in this season, but one continues every month, hosted and led by the Tonkins. And beautiful things continue to happen. Join us!

Who knows, maybe you’ll even feel led to start one too? If so, reach out—our team would love to support you in advice, prayers, and encouragement as you explore what that might look like in your context. Below are some testimonies of how God has moved in these spaces.

“At the Table there’s zero performance pressure—from the facilitator to the first-timer. No one is putting on a show. It’s just people together.” - Matt

“The Table is a place that fosters community and welcome. I can invite someone off the street and say, ‘Come to supper with my friends.’” - Jared

“The Table is a gathering of all ages that is Kingdom-focused, cross-denominational, and accessible to the unchurched. The flow can be a bit different each time as the Spirit leads. I think what makes the time special is an overriding Hunger in those present, to connect with God outside of their usual established church structure.” - Andy (worship leader)

“The Table is Acts 2:42 for the modern age!” - Dean

“The Table is a place for nourishment of body, mind, and soul, where our deepest longings can be voiced, our stories can be heard, but mostly where we find that in being our most human selves, we actually see our Creator more fully.” - Dana

“The Table is a beautiful diversity of the body of Christ coming together with a focus on who God is and how they've been able to walk with Him. It truly is a night of fellowship, encouragement, and support with other believers that you normally would never have the chance to connect with.” - Stephen

“The Table is a holy space to come face to face with God. A time to just love and be loved by the Lord. What seems unique to me is the simplicity and authenticity. There is no show, but just raw humans coming as they are. I feel like it's perfect at allowing people to just be with Jesus without distraction. The second time I was there, I had one of those rare ‘encounter’ moments in worship where it felt like complete and total peace. But there is no hype and no expectation that every time of worship has to be ground-shaking, life-altering. The Table really feels pure in motive - that we just come to be with Jesus and tell him how much we love him and he will do what he wants to do in that moment with each person.” - Janelle (a pastor’s wife)

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About

The Table is a monthly gathering in York County, South Carolina, that seeks to cross barriers and make space for any to come and experience the warmth of fellowship, food, and spiritual connection. The latter happens through worship, open-mic-style testimony, and times of communal ministry. The Table brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, and denominations, creating a rich, diverse tapestry of believers united around Jesus, all the while making a safe, loving space for those who are undecided on their journey of faith. The Table most often takes place at a home, where people can come as they are, settle in, and experience an Acts 2 expression of spiritual family. People are invited to bring a dish to share, literally and figuratively.

The gathering began in August 2022. All ages are welcome.

Read the story behind The Table and check out ’s July Table update.

The Next Table — coming soon

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Click on the Get The Table Updates button and you will be notified when we have a date for the next Table gathering! Blessings.