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We have struggled for many years in finding a consistent way to "disciple" our members throughout the week.

Do you have your own story about using the Table at your church? Post it here

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Connecting Rural Congregations

It's not just big churches that get a lot out of the Table. Pat Herlitz is the senior pastor of Giddings First Assembly of God in Giddings, Texas, a rural church of about 130 people. He has people who drive up to 40 miles to attend his church, and the Table helps Pat stay connected throughout the week.

Watch as Pat shares his story:

You can read more stories on our Tumblr site or share your own story.

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Not Feeling Alone

Park Community Church in Chicago launched the Table this weekend. It's been so cool to see reactions showing up on Twitter. This is one of our favorites:

Just being able to see who from your church lives in your neighborhood is encouraging. There's a lot of potential in that simple map.

If you're wondering what the Table can do for your church, check out what it's done for other churches. Check out these stories (and remember to tell your own stories!). You can share your story in our Birthday Video Contest and you could win an iPad.

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You Wouldn't Do That on Facebook

People often ask why the Table is necessary if we already have Facebook and other social media networks. It's a good question with a simple answer: The Table is a smaller, safer, more intimate community. It encourages a different kind of connection that you rarely find on a worldwide network.

Would you post the following on Facebook?

• Your failures with [fill in the blank sin].
• Your struggles with [fill in the blank hardship].
• Your frustrations with [fill in the blank person].

Facebook lacks a certain sensitivity. Throwing out status updates and sharing pictures doesn't always accommodate confession, forgiveness or grace. Unfortunately, there's a lot of judgment out there. It can be scary to open up, and more often than not people won't. We worry about what friends, family and even employers might think.

But the smaller community of the Table offers an intimate space that's not scary, but safe. There's a sensitivity that you won't find on Facebook because the Table is rooted in real-life community.

It's also true with the more mundane. Would you be willing to share the following with the world on Facebook?

• Your address.
• Your stuff.
• Your needs.

Once again, sometimes Facebook is a little too big. Maybe you're having a board game night and you want to invite lots of people, but posting your address on Facebook seems like a little much. Sharing it with a smaller group on the Table might feel more comfortable. Likewise, you might be willing to share your chainsaw, favorite DVD or a pie pan, but you're not going to post it to Facebook where half your friends live hundreds of miles away. And your needs? It's hard to ask for help, and on Facebook that can feel a little awkward. What happens when someone questions your need?

Not so on the Table. It's designed for sharing and helping. It's not awkward, it's welcome. The smaller, more intimate community also makes it comfortable. It's like gathering with your friends around, well, the kitchen table. Facebook, on the other hand, is more like standing around on the street corner. You can have great conversations and meet amazing people while walking down the street, but it's probably not the place you'd pick for a sensitive conversation.

Facebook simply isn't designed for these kinds of connections. But the Table is. Not only that, but most of these scenarios have actually happened on the Table (just read some of our stories). People have been more open than we expected, sharing intimate and private concerns with their church family and being lifted up in support, prayer and love.

As John Piper said when describing a woman who shared a difficult struggle on the Table, "This is not Facebook, this is our church." This isn't about embracing technology, it's about being the body of Christ.

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If you have a story about making these kinds of connections on the Table, share it in our Birthday Video Contest. You could win an iPad!

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We Need Community

One of the major needs the church must meet today is community. Our society is fragmented and divided, people move away from their families and don't put down roots like they used to. Peter Haas, pastor of Substance Church in Minneapolis and Table board member, see this as a major role for the church:

"We have to learn how to be the family that people don't have anymore."

We can do that when our understanding of church shifts from a once a week service to happening 24/7. But in order to offer that broader sense of community, churches need social media like the Table.

Watch Substance: We Need Community (1:11)

Watch the full webinar, How They Did It: Substance Church Case Study, for more on how Substance has utilized the Table.

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It's Ministry Not Just Technology

Peter Haas, pastor of Substance Church in Minneapolis and Table Project board member, says that the Table isn't just technology, it's ministry. It's a crucial tool to enhance your church's community:

"Church service experiences are going to become a devalued commodity. But you know what there's never going to be a substitute for? A shoulder to cry on. And really, that's what the Table is enhancing. It reinforces those relationships that are happening on Sunday morning."

Watch the video:

Watch Substance: Ministry Not Technology (1:14)

Watch the full webinar, How They Did It: Substance Church Case Study, for more on how Substance has utilized the Table.

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Granger's Welcome Video

In the past we've offered recommendations for how to make a welcome video. We included all kinds of examples and tips.

But when Granger Community Church near South Bend, Ind., launched the Table, they didn't take our advice. They used this video:

Notice that it never once mentions the Table, or even the words "Internet" or "social network." The video was created and posted before they even decided to use the Table.

But it works.

Why?

Because the video is about who they are as a church. It says: This is who we are as a community. Join us.

You couldn't ask for a better introduction to the Table.

Because the Table is all about enhancing and building on the relationships that exist in your congregation. A lot of churches think of the Table as something extra, another thing to add on to what they're already doing. But Granger recognizes that the Table simply compliments what they're doing.

So their welcome video doesn't need to be about the Table (or even mention the Table). Instead it can simply focus on the community. Because that's what matters.

Learn more about how Granger uses the Table with our case study: Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

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The Table Loves Small Groups

Substance Church in Minneapolis has seen 116% small group attendance in the past quarter. That means more people attended their small groups than attended their church service.

That's crazy. It's also awesome. It means people are connecting, growing and inviting new people to experience how God is moving.

And one thing that's helped Substance develop their small group ministry? The Table. Peter Haas, Substance pastor and Table Project board member, explains:

"It's technology like the Table that has enabled our small groups to thrive. People are able to find their tribe within our church much, much faster."

Watch the video:

Watch Substance: Small Groups (1:08)

Watch the full webinar, How They Did It: Substance Church Case Study, for more on how Substance has utilized the Table.

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"It's Just What I Needed!"

Connecting with people at church isn't always easy, especially when you're new. But the Table can help. Just ask Emily:

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Prayer Story: Happened All By Itself

The Table's Prayer Wall empowers your congregation to serve one another. Peter Haas, pastor of Substance Church in Minneapolis and Table Project board member, shares a story about how that works:

Watch Substance: Prayer Story (1:02)

As Peter says, "It's happening all by itself!"

Amen.

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