Blog

Gateway and the Table

It's true! We are so excited to finally be able to tell everyone. The Table has been aquired by the Gateway Church of Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX.

Table Announcement from The Table Project on Vimeo.

Here is a link to the official press release. Below is an FAQ with answers to some of the more pressing questions we're guessing you might have.

Onward!

The Spiritual Life Technology Team, Gateway Church

FAQ

Will the Table still be free?

Yes! Gateway Church is committed to providing this framework to churches at no cost. Table Pro will also remain an option for churches or organizations who want further customization.

Will the original Table team remain on the project?

They will. Gateway wanted a package deal. This included those who have made the Table what it is to this point. The Table Team is now a part of the Spiritual Life Technologies Team at Gateway and remain totally focused on the platform. 

Will the Table, in the future, cater only to churches like Gateway?

No way. The continued hope is that churches big, small, local and global in reach can use this software to help them do church 24/7.

So, what can we look forward to in the future?

So much! The wish list is long and includes loads of things we've been asked to build since the beginning. Here's a teaser: We want to change what it looks like to actively pastor. We want to give people a place to track their spiritual growth alongside their brothers and sisters. We want to give it a facelift. We want a better mobile experience. We want to open the API and--

The API? I've heard that one before. Is it for real this time?

Absolutely! We're documenting the API now and will begin to get in touch with potential partners about hooking in. If you'd like to be one of those partners (ChMS people, Mobile developer people, anyone with an idea, I'm looking at you!) drop us a line at questions@tableproject.org.

If you have any further questions don't hesitate to contact us at questions@tableproject.org.

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Feature Improvement: Unlimited Quicknote length

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Feature Improvement: Map

Recently, we added map clustering to our people and groups directory. This improvement makes the map load faster and is easier on the eyes. We hope you like it!

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April's Table 101

If you're curious about the Table join us for next week's Table 101 webinar. We'll give a tour of the Table, talk about best practices for launching the Table and take questions at the end. It's a great opportunity to learn more about the Table and see if it's a fit for your church.

We offer the Table 101 on the first Wednesday of every month. The next Table 101 is Wednesday, April 3rd at 3 p.m. CDT.

Register now for this free webinar.

(If you can't make it for the live webinar, check out the archived Table 101 webinar from a previous session.)

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New Feature: Classifieds App

Detail View - View item details right inline while you browse and with one click contact the poster. 

Posting view - Quick posting process makes it easy and fun to sell your stuff. 

List view - Live search allows you to find things quickly and "infinite scroll" on the list of items makes browsing painless. 

What's New integration - New items are displayed in your What's New feed to keep everyone updated. 

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The Table turns 2!

We are busy eating cake but we just wanted you to know. 

For your amusement, here are a few quotes recorded in the Table offices over the past two years. I won't provide context, because they are better that way.

 

Head Geek Josh: "I'm not saying you should have done anything different. I am just having my own private freak-out party over here". (On Launch day when we jumped to 400 churches in about 24 hours)

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Architect Matt: "I'm not a big 'fun' guy. I mean... fun is enjoyable to me... But I'm not the guy that says, 'Hey, let's go out on paddleboats and something fun will happen."

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VP of Listening Jason: On the phone with a customer who said someone had concerns about how casual our copywriting was. "Some people are going to be concerned that we don't sound formal or corporate enough. And our take on that is, whatever."

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Developer Andy: "I'm pretty quiet."
Anonymous Girl: "You'd be a good husband. I'm bringing you home today."

 

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Developer Josh: "I just said it in an email, isn't email good enough for you humans?"  (in regards to needing to do a follow up call with someone after sending email)

 

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Project Manager Caleb: "Quick round of Russian Nerf Roullette before you jet? (Crickets)....Coward."

 

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Developer Josh: Roombas need a "Mumble Mode"

VP of Listening Jason: Agreed, and a "Grumble Mode"

Mumble Mode: is slightly OCD and talks softly about what it is currently doing: "Must clean, must clean, avoid the stairs, ooo that's a dirty spot, get that twice, getting low on battery, back to base, back to base"

Grumble Mode: is angrier, but passive-aggressive about it: "These people... so dirty, why can't they clean this up themselves.. aahhhrmrmmmmrmrmrmghhhrhggg... stupid dirty floor, oh that is so gross..." It is important that some of the speech in Grumble Mode is unintelligible.

 

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Executive Director Ken: “I understand it's hard to design in a fog. Like, are you building a car or are you building a zebra? They both have four points that touch the ground, but after that they're quite different.”

 

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PM Caleb: "I'm safety certified now guys. You don't need to worry anymore."

Developer Andrew: "That's a weight of my shoulders."

VP of Listening Jason: "Did you get a badge?"

PM Caleb: "Nope. Just some healthy peace of mind and certificate made in Word."

 

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Developer Andrew: "New Feature - your profile picture will automatically be Gary Coleman, Richard Simmons, Jane Fonda or Liza Minnelli until you change it."

 

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Tester Erin: "Josh you should try working out to help your bad back."
Developer Josh: "Not likely."

 

What are we doing to celebrate?

We gave out an iPad last year...

This year....

That's right. Dancing baby. 

Come on...we are a non-profit. 

Thank you all for taking a moment to celebrate with us. 

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Over 1/2 million prayers said on the Table

When we say that the prayer life at your church will be transformed using the Table, we aren't kidding around. Since we launched the Table 22 months ago, over 585,000 prayers have been said on the platform. 

More info on how the Table encourages organic prayer at your Church.

Pray - A short film about prayer on the Table. from The Table Project on Vimeo.

Round table - Prayer on the Table in 8 minutes from The Table Project on Vimeo.

How to Use the Prayer Wall from The Table Project on Vimeo.

RoundTable 35 - Prayer (full version) from The Table Project on Vimeo.

Substance: Prayer Story from The Table Project on Vimeo.

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The Table 2012 year in review

It has been an amazing year here at the Table. We continue to be so honored to serve the Church and be part of God's movement in this world. 

Of course we wrote tons of code and got to talk shop with a lot of amazing churches. But we also gave out cool swag in exchange for your amazing stories, showed up a bit in the press (Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, Outreach Magazine), ranted about a new model of ministry and got to sit in the director's chair to capture the power of a real-time prayer community. In our freetime we went all Sherlock in our data to find out that reading is Church members' favorite pastime and that Jeremiah 29:11 is their favorite bible verse. And in the midst of all that, also connected with amazing church consultants to build out our Carpenter program. 2012 was an amazing year and it's only the beginning! 

2012 Highlights

We grew more in 2012 than ever before, serving over 3800 churches in over 40 countries. We owe you, our fans and customers, a huge thank you for this. With virtually no marketing, we continue to grow as word spreads about our mission and product. Cheers to you for being a partner in ministry with us.  

Adding new churches everyday is one thing, but what we really get excited about is daily ministry engagement. In just over 20 months since launch, we have reached and surpassed 580,000 prayers on the platform! That is something to celebrate because it means our churches are more engaged with each other through prayer than ever. And it doesn't end with prayer. Thousands of people have also found volunteer opportunities that match their giftedness, shared their possessions, debated topics and found new friends at church. That sounds like the Acts 2 church if you ask me! 

2012 was also one of our most productive years from a feature perspective. Here are some highlights:

Jan - Added new notification system
Feb - Push notification system for iOS devices
March - Table goes global - completes internationalization features
April - Calendar upgrade allows integration with Google calendar and iCal with subscribe feature
June - Discussion board released for iOS app
July - Daily and weekly email digest features
August - What's New app released, giving users a real-time feed of Table content
Sept - Table Pro is launched, delivering a premium Table account for greater customization

We are really looking forward to the 2013 development roadmap as well. Very cool projects are in the hopper, and we will be announcing them as they are released. Is there one feature you HAVE to see in 2013? Give us some feedback.

The stories we hear from all of you are what fuel us. It is truly a blessing to see how God uses the Church to move. Here is just a taste of the things we are hearing. Have a story? Submit it here, we would love to hear it.

 
"We are bound together through prayer..." - Stonebridge Church

Thank you again for helping make 2012 an amazing year at the Table Project. 

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We are bound together through our prayer

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10 ways to use the Table during Christmas Season

Here is a list of 10 unique ways to use the Table during the Holiday season.

Share traditions

What does your family do special for Christmas or Advent? 

1) Create a discussion category or photo album titled: Christmas Traditions.

2) Promote the conversation on Sunday and via the Broadcast message announcement bar. 

Share Christmas card pics

You send them out to family and friends, why not let the church in on the goodness? 

1) Create a Christmas Cards album on the Photo app.

2) Encourage your community to upload their images.

3) Highlight a few before sermon on Sunday.

3. Christmas Lights contest 

Whether it's bright lights or great manger scenes, it is fun to see how everyone gets into the spirit.

1) Choose a prize: Maybe front row seats at your Christmas play or pastoral staff singing you carols.  

2) Add a category on the photo app entitled Christmas Lights Contest.

3) Promote via Sunday service, announcement bar on the Table or via quicknote. 

4) Tell people to vote by Commenting "My vote" in the comments of the picture. 

4. Serving challenge

Many people are in need of help duing the holiday season, urge your community to be a light in the darkness. 

1) Publically challenge the congregation to serve 1 person of the community during Christmas. 

2) Encourage people to find a need in their neighborhood, community or region. Give some simple examples. 

3) Take 3 minutes during a Sunday service to show people how to post a service opportunity. And fufull the ones listed.

5. Organize a community potluck

Breaking bread is a big part of the holidays. Do it as a church! There are many people that can't make it home and would love to enjoy a feast together. 

1) Add the event to the Table calendar.

2) Post a serve opportunity with the things needed to pull it off - food, drinks, utencils, childcare etc. 

3) Promote it through the announcement bar and on Sunday.

6. Organize a Giving tree

With 8 days left to complete your giving tree, use the Table to make sure all the items get assigned. 

1) Collect specific gift needs from the families you are serving.

2) Create a Giving Tree account to facilitate the needs.

3) Post the specific needs on the Serve App. 

4) Promote the giving tree via quicknote, announcement bar and on Sunday.

7. Suprise the Kids

Yes, it's a bummer that our wee ones can't join the Table. But this gives us the perfect opportunity to spring an awesome holiday suprise on them. Perhaps santa shows up during sunday school with all his reindeer in tow (picture your elder board in the costumes).

1) Send a quicknote to your elders group with the details.

2) Create a Calendar Event on the Table Calendar alerting the parents of your plot.

3) Make those kiddos laugh!

8. Offer up your favorite holiday recipe

It's time to fork over your secret ingredient to those Christmas cookies. Share your favorite recipes on the Serve app and give everyone a shot at the delights. 

1) Create Discussion Topic titled "My Favorite X-Mas recipe." 

2) Type your recipe into the text field or attach it in PDF form to the topic.

3) Encourage folks to post their feedback.

9. Campaign for your favorite charity

The Serve app is a great place to raise awareness about a particular charity. Make an organizations needs known via the Serve app. Give details on what they need and how someone can serve them. Be their voice!

1) Google the charity and get all the info you need (address, hours of operation, etc.). You could even call them and see if they have holiday-specific needs.

2) Create Serve Opportunity based on a need or multiple needs that charity has. Upload their logo as the photo.

3) Create tasks for everything the charity needs.

10. Invite an out-of-towner

Chances are someone who goes to your church has nowhere to go for holidays. Why chance it? 

1) Create a Serve Item and title it something like "A Home for the Holidays."

2) In the description, make it clear that you wish to host anyone who doesn't have a place to go.

3) Upgrade to the 15 lb. turkey. :)

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