The Table Church DC

LOAM 001 Bring Your Chickens (A New Podcast with Tonetta and Anthony)

What is church? In this debut episode of LOAM, co-pastors Tonetta Landis-Aina and Anthony Parrott explore the essence, tensions, and beauty of Christian community. From underground churches in Yemen to food pantries in Iowa, they unpack personal experiences that have shaped their understanding of what makes church...church.

Key Conversations
- The "isness" of church: Beyond programs and buildings
- Church as a fellowship of difference
- The power of marginality in Christian community
- Tension between institutional structures and authentic relationships
- Multi-generational community as "burning bushes"

Featured Quotes & References
- Eugene Peterson on the "ontological church"
- C.S. Lewis's Screwtape Letters on the visible vs. invisible church
- Dr. Willie James Jennings's commentary on Acts
- Jamar Tisby on the Civil Rights Movement as America's third Great Awakening
- Dallas Willard: "Your system is perfectly tuned to get the results you're getting"

Scripture Referenced:
- Ephesians 2 (God's household)
- Acts 1-2 (Birth of the church)

Questions for Reflection:
1. What experiences have shaped your understanding of church?
2. How do you navigate the tension between church as institution and church as community?
3. Where do you see "burning bushes" in your faith community?

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When God's Plans Don't Look Like We Expected | A Future With Hope (Part 1)

In this opening message of our "Future With Hope" series, Pastor Tonetta unpacks Jeremiah 29 - a passage often reduced to an inspirational quote but actually written to people in exile. Through examining the original context and drawing modern parallels, she explores how God's promises of hope often come in unexpected ways and unexpected places. Featuring an elder panel discussion about The Table Church's vision for the future, this message challenges us to embrace both present faithfulness and future hope, even when we feel displaced from what's familiar.

Monsters, Dreams, and Human Revolution

In this conclusion to our "Shadowboxing" series, Pastor Tonetta Landis-Aina explores the Book of Daniel's apocalyptic visions and their relevance to our modern struggles. Through the lens of Daniel's dreams, she offers a profound meditation on remaining human in the face of systemic injustice, the power of imagination in resistance, and finding hope in times that feel apocalyptic. Rather than interpreting the dreams of empire, she challenges us to dream our own dreams of justice and renewal.

When Grief and Hope Collide | Pastor Anthony Parrott

Pastor Anthony Parrott tackles the reality of death and loss, revealing how authentic grief and defiant hope can—and must—coexist. Drawing from Scripture and contemporary poetry, discover why hope isn't a delicate bird, but a resilient sewer rat that refuses to let death have the final word.

The Evolution of Satan: From Divine Prosecutor to Enemy of God

Why do bad things happen if God is good? Journey through biblical history to discover how our understanding of Satan transformed from a divine legal prosecutor to the ruler of this world's broken systems. Learn how the Bible's view of evil evolved, from ancient chaos monsters to the familiar adversary we know today. This eye-opening sermon challenges both fundamentalist and modernist views, revealing how spiritual warfare isn't just about demons and exorcisms - it's about creating communities of justice, forgiveness, and radical inclusion. Perfect for anyone wondering about the nature of evil, the role of Satan in modern life, and how we can meaningfully resist darkness in today's world.

Shadowboxing: Jacob and Jekyll: Navigating Identity and Fear

Shadowboxing: Unmasking the Monsters Within In this episode of the sermon series 'Shadowboxing: Confronting the Monsters Within,' we explore the concept of the 'false self' and the inner 'monster' through personal anecdotes and literary references like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. By delving into the Bible story of Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Esau from Genesis 27:1-20, we uncover the masks we wear to navigate life's challenges and seek acceptance. Insights from Christian psychologist David Benner and the Enneagram help us differentiate the false self from our true God-given identity. The sermon concludes with reflections on autumn's symbolism of letting go, inspired by Lucille Clifton's poem, 'The Lesson of the Falling Leaves.'

00:00 A Memorable Mistake in London

03:06 Facing Fears and Cultural Monsters

06:43 Exploring the Monster Within

07:29 The Tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

11:09 The False Self and Genesis 27

15:54 Setting the Stage: Isaac's Prayer and Rebecca's Revelation

16:20 Jacob and Esau: The Struggle Begins

17:12 The Shrewdness of Rebecca and Jacob

18:43 The Deception Unfolds: Jacob's Mask

20:12 The Consequences of Deception

20:45 Reflecting on Identity and the False Self

21:56 Understanding the False Self in Christian Context

22:46 Personal Journey: Confronting the False Self

23:34 The Enneagram and Self-Discovery

25:34 Jacob's Transformation: From Supplanter to Israel

27:00 The Struggle of Marginalized Identities

28:11 The Spiritual Journey: Losing the Self to Find the Self

28:55 Confronting Our Fears: The Lesson of the Falling Leaves

Shadowboxing - Becoming the Living Dead

Join us as we kick off our exciting new series with a twist—Tonetta wanted to have some fun, so we’re diving into a horror movie theme! 🧟‍♂️ But don’t worry, even if you’re not a fan of the creepy and spooky (like me), there’s something profound waiting for you.

 

In this message, we explore the concept of zombies—not just as monsters in movies but as a metaphor for areas in our lives where we might feel like the “undead.” We tackle questions like:

 

•Why don’t we like zombies?

•How can staying in the closet or suppressing our true selves make us feel lifeless?

•What does it mean to lose our identity, culture, or autonomy?

 

We delve into John 12:23-26, where Jesus talks about a grain of wheat needing to die to produce much fruit. This powerful passage challenges us to consider what it means to “die to self” in a way that leads to true, abundant life.

 

🌱 Key Points:

 

1.Loss of Identity (Enmeshment): Breaking free from societal pressures that force us to hide who we truly are.

2.Loss of Culture (Assimilation): Resisting the pull to abandon our heritage and uniqueness.

3.Loss of Autonomy (Subjugation): Overcoming environments that demand blind obedience at the expense of our freedom.

 

But it doesn’t stop there! We discuss the concept of Death as Rebirth, focusing on:

 

•Dying to Individualism: Moving beyond self-centered living.

•Dying to Kyriarchy: Confronting oppressive systems (yes, we explain what “kyriarchy” means!).

•Dying to Independence: Embracing interdependence and community.

 

💡 Highlights:

 

•An insightful reading from C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity on finding your true self through surrender.

•A reflection on Galatians 5:13: Using our freedom to serve one another in love.

•Understanding that to be truly alive, we must engage in collective liberation and authentic community.

 

We wrap up with a thought-provoking conclusion inspired by Kierkegaard’s idea of the “half dose”—challenging us to fully commit to this transformative journey.

 

👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how embracing certain “deaths” in our lives can lead us to genuine, vibrant living.

 

🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more messages in this series and join the conversation in the comments below!

 

Keywords: Zombies, John 12:23-26, Dying to Self, True Life, Authenticity, Kyriarchy, Individualism, Community, C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Sermon Series, Spiritual Growth, Christianity, Faith Journey, Collective Liberation

Trusting in the Slow Work of God: Becoming a North Star Community

This sermon delves into the themes of patience, growth, and the transformative power of trusting in the slow work of God. Through the writings of Teilhard de Chardin and insights from the book 'Slow Church,' the sermon challenges cultural obsessions with speed, prompting the pursuit of a deeper, more intentional Christian community. Exploring the concept of 'North Star' communities, the sermon highlights the significance of being a liberating church, drawing from historical examples like the desert monks of North Africa and the hush harbors of enslaved African Americans. Emphasizing rootedness, love, and communal growth, the sermon is part of a larger series on the 'Marks of a Liberating Church.'

00:00 Opening Prayer and Reflection

01:29 The Slow Work of God

02:54 Introduction to Slow Church

04:24 Marks of a Liberating Church

06:08 The North Star Community

10:35 Imitating God and Love

20:10 Rootedness and Growth

24:53 Broadcasting the Gospel

27:19 Reflection and Communion