Table Host Ministry
Dinner Table Host Ministry (Revised 6-16-25)
Ministry Description:
All Dinner Table Team Members are tasked with making the attendees feel welcome, seek to build friendships and minister to them as directed by the Holy Spirit; The Dinner Table Host (DTH) is the key person at the table. You are there to serve (Luke 22:24-27).
The DTH will report directly to the Dinner Table Host Coordinator(DTHC).
Ministry Tasks:
Prepare for your ministry each week by praying for God’s direction for the Thursday Dinner Table (DT) church. The key to the success of this ministry is to simply follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The DTH will engage the attendees in conversation by asking non-threatening questions to show you are interested in learning about them and understanding “their world.” Spiritual discussions should generally occur after building a friendship and establishing trust with the person and/or when they bring up the topic.
Pray for God to enable you to make a “connection” with attendees at a specific table. When you feel a connection has been made, it is advantageous for the DTH to sit with the same person (people) each week. On the other hand, if you feel you have lost traction with that individual/group, feel free to move to another table. Graciously explain that your role in this ministry is to move around from time to time to welcome people at other tables.
When the devotional talk is given each week, the DTH has the option to piggyback on the topic for discussion at the table. This is not mandatory. If the conversation at the table prior to the devotional talk was gaining traction in another direction, continue in that direction.
Our target audience is the “nones” and the “dones,” those who have no religious affiliation or have previously attended church and no longer attend…for whatever reason. Our objective is to first build a friendship with and then lead these people to Jesus over time. Some people are looking for opportunities to serve in their community. If that is their desire, you can also direct them to serve at DT (cook, serve food, kitchen help, clean up, etc.) or at the Bread of Life Food Pantry or Warehouse. Many people need to belong to believe.
Our secondary focus would be to people who previously made a commitment to Christ, sporadically attend but not committed to a church or, are spiritually dry and desire to grow their faith. This would be a discipleship role.
Suggestions for discipleship materials could include assigning them to read the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren to help them discover their life of purpose through Christ.
Also, the book, Discover: Your Next Steps with Jesus by Shane Wilson and Daniel McNaughton, is helpful to grow their faith by reading the daily devotional and completing the questions.
Ask them to bring the book to DT each week or call them at a specific day and time to review and discuss the material. Copies are located at the Faith at Home kiosk in the back of the Family Life Center.
Right Now Media has some excellent videos you could suggest.
Our free book table servers may suggest websites and/or books and literature to address specific needs mentioned by the attendee.
The DTH may also use other materials they find helpful.
Obtain their contact info when appropriate to do so. Use the connect cards at each table to record the info. Please forward cards to Sue Bentzel.
Since our Dinner Church is in the same community as our mother church, you may refer them to specialized ministries depending upon their interest/need, to aid in discipleship (Community groups, Youth ministry, etc).
A third group of attendees are Christians who are regular attendees of a community church. They may enjoy the DT atmosphere and the opportunity to have dinner with their friends. Some are retired, others are curious about this ministry. These attendees often contribute financially to the DT ministry. Our objective would be to make them feel welcome and encourage them to partner with us in prayer, financial support and volunteering in some capacity.
One final task for the DTH every week is to pray for the attendees at their table. “Is it okay if I pray for us tonight?” Does anyone have a specific request we can pray about…personal, family, friends, co-workers, etc?” It is often helpful to share a personal prayer request you have, to prime the pump. If no requests are forthcoming – pray for them as the Holy Spirit leads you.
It is important in subsequent weeks to follow-up and ask about the matter for which you prayed. If God answered prayer in a significant way and you feel it beneficial to encourage the entire room – ask the person if they would share the testimony. If they agree, contact the DTHC to arrange the proper time and method.
Please attend and serve as many Thursdays as possible. We have determined that serving dinners weekly gives us the best opportunities to build quality friendships and occasions to minister.
