In homes all around the world, people settle down together at the end of a day to share a meal. Frustrations of the day are put aside and good food is enjoyed. Laughter and secrets are shared. The same ideas can be implemented at church. All it takes is a decision to host “family meals” and discovering the best way to bring people to the dinner table. A starting point should be to consider building a custom table that is large enough for everyone in the congregation to eat comfortably, together.

Dining with the Group

Jesus, prayers, God, or other deities that you embrace all feature stories or place some value on family coming together in the church. As you read the bible, you will see terms like the “Lord’s Supper” or read verses such as:
“Matthew 26:26-29
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing, it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

There is even a very famous painting called the “Last Supper”, which pays tribute to the Gospel of John 13:21. It features Jesus sitting with the twelve apostles and Jesus announcing that one of them would ultimately betray him. It was created by Leonardo Davinci and still hangs at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.

Bringing Everyone Closer Together

The challenge for most churches is finding a table that is big enough to accommodate a “Last Supper” or a family meal for some special holiday. The best way to get the size of the table that you need is to build one. Luckily, Live Edge Tables can be customized to be very long. The process is relatively simple, once you figure out how large you need it to be.

Each person at the table needs at least 1.5-2 feet of space. This means that the “Last Supper” table could easily have been 12-feet long. If you need to seat 20 people, you should build a table that is 18-20 ft long to ensure everyone has elbow room. Live edge tables allow you to lengthen the table and make it as wide as you need to accommodate everyone. However, many often wonder, is epoxy food safe? The short answer to this is, epoxy is possible to be food safe or food grade, but it is ultimately up to each individual to properly mix and pour the epoxy resin.

How to Create a Live Edge Table

Choose your wood. Ideally, you will have two slabs of wood that are similar. You want a natural edge that isn’t going to be sharp, but one that does not require you to sand away the natural shape of the wood. The longer the table, the more you have to pay attention to all your slabs. If available you can take down your own tree and have someone prepare it, then you will get very long slabs. Put them together, supporting the tabletop every few feet. If you want, you can finish it off by putting an epoxy coating over it.

The end result: It will be a beautiful table that everyone is happy to sit around.

A church without people is not a fun place to be. It becomes just a lonely building. Therefore, pastors are always striving to find new ways to fill their church with people. They can provide sermons that truly speak to the people on levels that are easy to understand, but is it going to be enough? To truly draw a crowd, a church must think of upgrades that will attract a larger congregation.

A Church’s Joy

The only way that people can come together in a church is to have one available to them. This is why there are churches everywhere. They are in the most remote locations. They may be old shacks or domed cathedrals. It does not matter. What matters most is that the people actually show up to hear and learn about God’s word, regardless of what name you feel He goes by.

Throughout history, the people would attend a church mostly based on the people that were there. The pastor, the choir, the family, and friends. Today, it is still a joyful place to be if those things are there, but it isn’t just about the people. We want more from a church.

Upgrades Worth Considering

An undeniable fact is that churches gain the most from having good people attending. But we all strive to push the envelope sometimes and churches are no different.

Today’s churches feature stages, guitars, drums, and more. Christian music has taken on a “pop” edge rather than just people singing along to a piano. This requires microphones, speakers, and musical instruments. There are also stage lights and ambient lighting options available. Some churches may even take the spirit of fun to the bathroom where they install a lighted toilet seat.

Many also have dance stages where people can get up and rejoice by letting the music move their feet and their soul. These upgrades make it more fun and a great performance can make for a great service. Upgraded and updated kitchen areas for big dinners, outdoor bbq areas for family fun days, and more are all worthy upgrades.

The People Will Come!

Young adults, teens, and children all feel that church is a boring place to be. Who wants to sit quietly when they could be home listening to music, talking on their phone, etc? As a church, you have to look at the world today, see what matters in your area, and implement it into your church. If you can do that, the people will come. As they begin to roll in and have a good experience, a fun experience, they will tell others about it. They will bring others to the church and your congregation will grow.

Most upgrades do not cost a lot. Instruments can be provided by those that know how to play them. Sound equipment can be affordable on any budget. Either way, if it brings people in, isn’t it worth trying?

Who doesn’t love a chance to get away from the normal routines that we all take part in each day? There may be no place like home, but it is fun to try finding out sometimes. This same mindset is now why so many church congregations take retreats. It allows them to step out of the “norm” and experience new things. This retreat into God’s country is a fantastic way to see what you truly can be with His help.

The Beauty of God’s Country

When you step out into the world, out into the great outdoors, miracles and wonder are everywhere. There is no better place to experience God’s word and his creations. You can see the trees, animals, waterfalls, oceans, and more that He has provided us with. Yet it goes much deeper than that for the congregation and other affiliations. By taking retreats, your group can bond, they can explore as a team or focus on team building, and so much more.

The Retreats You Can Take

We all have heard of a church bowling league or something similar. Even though it isn’t outside, it still allows people to bond with others in their group. When you step out for a retreat, the possibilities are endless. Congregations can go bird watching. They can take up canoeing or kayaking. They can go mudding down a hidden trail after rainstorms have come. Even washing ATV after mudding can be a group experience that brings everyone closer.

There are even games that can be played. Adults can enjoy scavenger hunts as much as children. Divide them up into teams, leave them some clues, and watch how they work together to find everything on the list. Outdoors is also a great place to play “minefield”. This is a game where groups of two must navigate through a course with small obstacles in their way, without stepping on anything. The challenge is that one member will be blindfolded and they are led through with words only from their partner.

Let the Fun and Bonding Begin

If your congregation does not take retreats, you should. You will all gain so much from doing it. It does not matter whether you are a small close-knit group or a group of several churches getting together outside of the traditional walls. What will you be able to achieve when you laugh, play, and bond as a group?

The Evangelical Covenant is a group of more than 875 congregations, spread out between the U.S. and Canada. There are also ministries on five continents. The ECC is a multi-cultural church that was founded in 1885 by Swedish immigrants. It is a church that has deep roots based on Christianity as it is based on the protestant reformation and the Lutheran State Church of Sweden. It is a church built on diversity and one that everyone may enjoy attending.

Why Attend an ECC?

If you want to be a part of a church that seeks to form and nurture the communities that they are in, you will love the ECC. People who attend this church are deeply passionate about Christ’s mission and committed to serving Jesus Christ.
As proof, they live by certain affirmations that make them truly unique in a world that is crazy at times. These affirmations include:

* Centrality of the Word of God
* The Necessity of New Birth
* Creating a Fellowship of Believers
* Dependence on the Holy Spirit for Guidance
* Freedom in Christ
* and Commitment to the Church.

It is because of these affirmations that certain resolutions can be made and held by the members of the church. In the complex world that we live in, many difficult issues must be discussed and accepted as a part of our lives. These topics include things like assisted suicide, poverty, sexuality, war, abortions, and even religious persecution.

Living through Resolution

When it comes to the many issues that we face in our world, we should all take notice and attempt to improve the circumstances in our community. Whether it is through understanding that we have to take a stand and do what we can to help those who are “poor” or that we should all protect the environment. We all have to work together in order to change the world around us. The resolutions are guidance, and you only have to follow. If you can do this, you will find that you are a happier person who understands that you do all you can and the rest is in God’s hands.

Get Involved Today!

There are Evangelical Covenant Churches spread throughout the United States and Canada. There are even churches in Alaska. If you have a strong faith in God and his one and only son, Jesus Christ, then you are going to enjoy this church. It is a place where families unite and communities become stronger. It is a haven from the troubles that we all face and within the walls, you will find your true self.

If you are ready to become a better, more engaged Christian, you are encouraged to join a service. There is likely an ECC church very near your home. You simply have to open your eyes and your arms to what can become true enlightenment.