A Seat at the Table

Choosing the Right Institutions

Magicians love to keep your attention on something that shines. Your attention must be misplaced to be tricked.

The Enemy loves this same tactic. Shiny objects keep Christian’s attention in the wrong place. Misplaced attention leads to deception.

There are SO many ways to apply this idea. But I’ve been praying for our church about this idea in relationship to two “tables.”

The Evangelical Theological Society and your Thanksgiving table.

The Evangelical Theological Society describes themselves as “a professional academic society of biblical and theological scholars, pastors, and students.” Many good believers participate. Sadly, ETS can also be part of sharing some truly whack theology (to use the technical term).

If your family is like mine, your Thanksgiving table probably describes itself as “have a seat and hang on for the ride!”

These two tables are two types of institution–the large and prestigious or the local and largely unseen.

As institutions around our country and culture disintegrate, there is a rise in attention on the importance of larger Christian institutions and the powerful role they play.

Institutions can be a wonderful tool in the hands of the Lord’s people. My father would say (as his mentor said) “Institutions are the lengthened shadow of a man.” Loving people can see love extended through good tools. Institutions can be powerful parts of love.

I am zealously concerned that our congregation display the Lord’s priorities and heart when we come to the project of love. We need to start with the simple and unseen “institutions” at home.

Opening a seat at the table for your Thanksgiving dinner is perhaps the most impactful tool for love available to you this week.

The internet will clamor to keep your attention on national politics or the state of evangelical theology or the flavor-of-the-day fight on Twitter/X.

For 99% of us, it’s the misdirection of the Enemy.

God has called very few of us into those roles and given most of us almost no institutional reach.

God has given you the reach to pull back a chair at the table this week. The institution of your marriage, your home, your family can be wielded for powerful love.

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords started by pulling up to many tables in many meager homes.

We’d be wise to follow Him!

Let’s change the world… one Thanksgiving dinner at a time.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, ⁸ so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

2 Thessalonians 2:7b–8