Preparing a Table

Celebrating communion every week led one church to a new idea for outreach.

Communion is the kingdom of God actually happening among us. Paul made this clear in 1 Corinthians 10:16: “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?” Lesslie Newbigin said that the Church experiences in Communion “a foretaste of the reign of God in the midst of history.” In other words, the Eucharist is not just a picture of God’s kingdom; it is a live feed.

Not long ago we began celebrating the Eucharist every week at our college chapel service. Our new focus on Communion inspired us to offer the same thing in our outreach that we experienced at the Lord’s Table—a taste of God’s kingdom and abundant love. As soon as we began celebrating Communion every week, our question changed from “How do we invite people to the Table with us,” to “How do we go and prepare a table among our neighbors?” Because we are a small church near a big university, many of our neighbors live in fraternity and sorority houses.

We began by simply praying for them. For a few weeks I met my students on the university campus every week in a brief time of prayer for the fraternity and sorority houses. Sometimes we were less organized. However it happens, praying is the most important part of any outreach.

After praying for “the Greeks” regularly, we started knocking on their doors and talking to them in person. We told them we had been praying for them and asked them three questions: 1. Do you need anything? 2. Is there anything specific you would like us to pray for? 3. Can we come back in a couple of weeks and check in with you again? Then we left. No hidden agenda, no invitations, and no fliers of any kind.

Once we established some familiarity with the houses, we offered to bring them dinner for their weekly house meetings. That was a big hit, especially among the fraternities. At each dinner we set out the food and prayed over the house and the students living there. Then we left. We established trust by being willing to serve.

Already we are making new friends and building bridges. At many houses, instead of showing up and talking with strangers, we’re shaking hands with people we know by name. I have even had lunch a couple of times with one of the fraternity presidents and have been able to pray for him and the concerns he shared. Several houses are also interested in organizing community service projects that our groups can work on together.

Even more exciting is a growing interest in Greek ministry among the Greek students themselves. A handful of fraternity and sorority members want to start Bible studies in their houses and are looking for help. We are positioned to assist them right where they are.

Whether it’s a business, a school staff, or residents in an apartment complex, preparing a meal for others as a sign of God’s love and hospitality can build trust and open doors. Students aren’t exactly flocking to our church because of these simple meals, but I am hoping that some of them will find their way to Christ’s table to receive the body and blood as members of his church.

Dave Dack is director of college ministries at University Presbyterian Church in Fresno, California.