IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE ANY CHURCH YOU HAVE EVER SEEN

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It doesn’t look like any church you have ever seen. It isn’t on a Sunday morning. The people come from all walks of life. They don’t have church etiquette. People are talking while scripture is read or prayers are said. Worship songs are background music, not songs to sing along with….unless you want to. Dinner is served and you can sit around a table chatting with one another. Jesus stories are told, children stay in the same room for activities that don’t really look like children’s church. People are sitting, standing and milling around while Jesus stories are talked about. It’s messy, it’s noisy and it’s perfect. 
     
As I sat in Dinner Church it occurred to me that this is probably what the first churches looked like. Believers met in homes listening to Jesus stories and eating with kids in and about. There was no set finish time and people of all walks of life were there. It was messy, noisy and perfect. 
When did we start saying church had to be just so. Side glances happen if there is noise or someone doesn’t look like everyone else. Tonight was a good reminder being the hands and feet of Jesus isn’t necessarily clean, neat and tidy. Being the hands and feet of Jesus looks like loving one another just as Jesus did. 

A Return to the Beginning

Before there were buildings and pews, the first expressions of church happened around a dinner table. Friends and strangers shared a meal, talked about life, and found hope together. We believe that simple, ancient idea is exactly what our modern world needs. Dinner Church is a return to that original way of building community.

 

"The believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the community, to their shared meals and to their prayers."   

Acts 2:42 Common English Bible

 

A Place for People Who Aren't "Church People"

Are you curious about faith but feel like a traditional church isn't the right fit? You're not alone. Many people are interested in the person of Jesus but not in "churchianity".

Dinner Church is a welcoming space for everyone, no matter your background or beliefs. It's a gathering for the curious, the skeptical, the lonely, and anyone who is simply looking for a good meal and a friendly conversation. This is a place where your questions are welcome and you can be yourself.

 

Why We Do This

We believe in creating a space where people’s real-life needs are met—for food, for friendship, and for hope. Our goal is to serve our neighborhood and create a place where everyone, especially those who are struggling or feel alone, can find a family table to belong to.

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What to expect at ConnectDinners:

A Meal, Not a Service

 

  • A relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

  • Plenty of delicious homemade or catered food, including dessert.

  • Friendly servers who greet you by name and treat everyone like family.

  • Live music (Christian and regular songs) played just right – loud enough to enjoy, soft enough to talk.

  • Lively conversations and laughter around the tables.

  • A diverse mix of people – all ages, backgrounds, and cultures – connecting over a shared meal.

  • A short story about Jesus and how it has impacted the speaker's life.

  • Table discussions about the Jesus story at your table, sharing and asking questions at whatever depth feels comfortable, sometimes even leading to prayer.

  • Always enough food for seconds, and even some to take home.

  • New and old friends making plans to meet again next week.