letter from Justin
Church Family,
It was almost ten years ago when a handful of us gathered in our current building to begin what would become Table Community Church. At the time, we didn’t call it TCC and we certainly couldn’t have anticipated all that God would do over the next decade. To say that God has been abundantly kind and gracious to us would be an understatement. His goodness brings tears to my eyes as I think about all of the ways He has proven Himself faithful to our little local expression of His global Church.
I’ve shared this with you all before, but when we began the church, I didn’t have a 10-year-vision plan. Heck, I barely had a 10-day plan. However, a few years ago, for a variety of reasons, I felt the Lord compel me to start dreaming, not 10-days ahead or one-year ahead, but 20-years ahead. You’ve likely heard me say that my hope is to pastor and preach here for my “30-year run” and then hand the church over to some kid that’s growing up in Table Kids Ministry right now. It was as if the Spirit was compelling me — Justin, what type of church do you want to hand over someday? Now, I recognize that TCC isn’t my church to give away or hand over – it's Jesus' Church – but, I was convicted by the Spirit to dream about our future together. What type of church might we be in 20-years? How might God want to use us? What could He accomplish through us if we stepped out in faith and gave ourselves fully to His Kingdom work?
So, I brought this conviction before our elders, and we collectively brought it before the Lord. After a season of prayer, we felt the Lord telling us to focus on four distinct areas in the decades to come:
Kingdom Collaboration and Church Planting. This can’t be about building the little kingdom of TCC. We must remember we are part of something bigger than ourselves.
Making and Multiplying healthy disciples of Jesus. This is our commission as followers of King Jesus and the reason we do everything we do.
A deeper commitment to Justice/Mercy. God has placed us here to seek the shalom of this place we call home. We cannot slow down or let up in our commitment to bless those around us and seek the flourishing of every person we encounter along the way.
A long-term, permanent home for our faith family. We desire to have a building that is ours; one where we don’t have to pay rent each month and we can become a cornerstone church in our region for generations to come.
Our overarching prayer in this season was this — God, would you accomplish these things in such a way that no single person gets the credit?
Space would not allow us to talk about all the ways we’ve seen God do this already, but suffice it to say, He has begun a good work and we trust Him to finish it!
Which brings us to the point of this letter — Starting right now, we are beginning a generosity initiative that we are simply calling ‘Future Home.’ Over the next two-years, we hope to raise 3.3 millions dollars — over and above our current giving — to see these things accomplished.
In this website, you will learn more about the meaning, purpose, and plans of ‘Future Home’. You will see stories of God’s goodness and faithfulness to our church family. And you will learn more about how you can partner in this work moving forward.
Sisters and brothers — What a joy it is to serve with each of you! As wonderful as these first 10-years have been as a church, I sincerely believe our best days are still ahead. I am honored to be one of your pastors and I can’t wait to see how God uses your faithfulness and generosity in the days ahead!
I love you guys…