Why Luther's Table?

1.) The primary way in which the people of God have gathered in community and remembered the faithful acts of God has been around bread and wine. Feeding stories, feasts, and celebrations are a constant theme throughout both testaments. We know this to be true in our culture as well as we continue to build our most important relationships around table.

2.) Jesus established the practice of leaving the synagogue and entering into the villages and homes of what would have been seen by the religious community as strangers. He was often seen and eating and drinking with them. In fact it became one of the charges used to justify the crucifixion, “He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners”.

3.) Jesus extended the circle of who was considered faithful by pointing out people of great faith who would never grace the doors of the temple or be allowed entrance. This was true of the Good Samaritan, the unclean women, and the thief on the cross. Jesus summed it up well when he said, “I have not seen such faith in all of Judea.

4.) Luther took up the practice of gathering students from the University and members of the Wittenberg community around his family table where beer was served and deep theological discussions were held. Later some of these discussions were committed to print.

5.) The church today is often perceived as being out of touch, irrelevant, closed minded, judgmental and hypocritical because her members’ behavior is not congruent on Sunday with their daily practices during the week. A church that is willing to eat and drink together with the members of the community sends a strong word that church can be faithful, honor the gifts, talents, and faithfulness of members of the community while practicing moderation.

6.) Luther’s Table is an acknowledgement that there are many people who will never grace the doors of the church but who will gladly gather in community, take steps in spiritual discovery and offer up their lives in service to others.