If you are reading this letter it is because we want build something beautiful with you. We’ve realized that there is a movement of table based ministries that is is growing with some speed throughout the country, and that many of us who are doing this work are working separately from each other. We are inviting you to join us in our work of drawing people together across their differences in relationship with God and one another through the breaking of bread.

A simple question got us started: What if we resurrected the metaphor of the “welcome table,” blew away the dust, and invited people into a safe space of sharing, singing, prayer, genuine service, and deep conversation where they could explore their faith without fear of judgement?

Since that time, our first branch in Grafton, MA has grown into a vibrant worshipping community that is funded through bread sales at local farmers markets. We are planning on planting a new Simple Church branch each year in a different city with a different monastic funding model.

Here’s where you come in. In addition to planting new branches each year (which will be United Methodist and have shared administration/ finances) we’re also starting an affiliate network of table based ministries that will be official partners with a shared liturgy. This group will be interdenominational and not limited to a particular region.

We will resource you with liturgy, songs, best practices, and consultation. As well as branding and promotion to connect you to people looking for a dinner church in your region. As an affiliate dinner church you will be under the Simple Church brand, and can gain momentum and legitimacy from being tied to a large network of tables praying the same prayers and singing the same songs across the US. What we can build together is greater than what any of us could make on our own!

Zach Kerzee Founding Pastor Simple Church, Grafton

Purpose

Many exciting dinner churches have started out of our model, but we have been operating largely independently up to this point. Starting a new community is hard work! We want to make sure we do everything we can to make every new community a success. This is an opportunity to shore up existing relationships (or create new ones!) and work together under a common banner. Why work apart when we can work together? Basically, Simple Church is shifting away from being a dinner church to a network of dinner churches, and we want you to be a part. No matter where you are in the formation of your table-based ministry, whether you are flying solo or experimenting with table based liturgy as an alternative worship service in an existing church, we want to work with you!

Benefits

If you become an affiliate we will resource you with music, liturgy, and recipes that we have developed in the first branch. We will also make ourselves available to you with for consultation about best practices. As part of our network you will be able to use our branding and promotional materials, and we will promote your table worship through our website and social media. We will do everything we can to make sure your project is a success!

Expectations

We will do our best to make sure that this is a mutually enhancing relationship. We will list you as a part of our network on our website and social media. We ask that you claim membership on all promotional materials, on your website, and mention the network in any press.

Next Steps

Does being part of our network sound like music to your ears? Fantastic! We’re excited to grow in partnership with you! Reach out to Pastor Zach by phone or email, and we’ll begin! His contact info is:

zach@simpleumc.org or 325-428-9266

Liturgy and Music

Consultation and Support

Branding and Promotion