A large part of the ministry of Jesus took place around the table.  He ate with "sinners" and tax-collectors, people like Matthew and Zacchaeus, drawing criticism from the religious elites.  It was while he was eating at the table of Simon the Pharisee when a woman wept at his feet and dried them with her hair, providing Jesus a teaching opportunity about forgiveness and love.  It was around the table that Jesus took bread and wine and instituted the meal we call the Lord's Supper, which we re-enact to this day.  It was around the table that Jesus was recognized by the two he met on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection.

During a recent trip to the northeast Indian city of Shillong I experienced a number of opportunities for mission and ministry around the table.  I was at the Martin Luther Christian University for a consortium on peacemaking.  People had gathered from around northeast India as well as from "mainland" India and Burma.  I was there to deliver a keynote address and lead about 8 hours of workshop time.  

One night I had dinner with a church leader from Manipur, and we explored in depth some of the conflicts in that state and how peacemakers might act in a transforming way.  Then two friends joined us, and the discussion shifted to the current challenges in reconciliation effort among the Nagas.  In the unplanned gathering around the dinner table we had an in-depth consultation with people who could make a difference in the situation.

During another dinner I was able to bear witness to my faith in Christ to two American peacemakers.  They were resource people for the peace consortium.  Neither were believers of any particular faith, but were both "spiritual."  They had both had a number of bad experiences with arrogant and even hostile Christians.  They were intrigued by the spirit I exhibited while holding strong to my faith, so they asked if they could talk with me about God.  We had a wonderful discussion about the spiritual force in the universe being personal, creating what was different and separate, and wanting to be in loving relationship.  They could understand that.  I then shared about that personal spiritual force taking flesh in Jesus and dying and rising again in love for us.  They were so deeply into the discussion that we had to be dragged away from the restaurant table when everyone else was leaving.

At the close of the consortium I had lunch up in the university's rooftop canteen with the key core of Baptist peace activists at the consultation.  We talked about what happened and what the next steps should be.  They had wonderful vision and were dedicated to the substantive work of giving substance to that vision amid the complex conflicts of their region.  Our table fellowship strengthened the relationships even as the food strengthened our bodies.

We can eat just to met our physical needs.  But around the table we have a rich opportunity to linger with each other as we eat, to share our lives as well as the meal.  In so many of the meals we passed the dishes back and forth so we could sample all that was before us, and in a like manner we could pass our experiences and views among each other.  Such moments are not a break from life and ministry, rather they can be the center of some of the most meaningful interactions we have.

In a few days many of us will be gathered around tables to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Around the table I give thanks to God for the bountiful provision.  I am also thankful for all of you who give to provide for and empower the ministry in which I'm engaged, along with all my other International Ministries colleagues.  Many of you have participated in the World Mission Offering.  Others give every month, while some of you might be preparing a special end-of-the-year contribution.  For all of you I am grateful, and I give thanks to God for your partnership in mission.

Peace,
Dan