Luther's Table Core Values

(Honoring the Organic Nature of Luther’s Table is to acknowledge that these values will be under development)

These Core Values are intended to be lived out at Luther’s Table permeating all that we say and do. We will use these core values to help to determine what it is that we do and do not do. They become the primary source for accountability and the means by which we measure and evaluate the health and vitality of the ministry and those who participate in it.

Welcome - must never be driven by a desire to improve the bottom line. Welcome is about creating a safe place where a person discovers that they are honored simply for the fact that they are a human being, or in Biblical words a child of God. Welcome is about creating a gracious space where judgment is withheld and acceptance becomes the operative attitude and action.

Welcome opens the doors as wide as possible believing that the stranger brings with them the presence of God. Every person has the capacity to gift and bless the community. Welcome is not without boundaries or expectations. A healthy community is willing to hold its participants accountable for behavior that that values and respects the whole community.

Story - We call carry with us in life our story – the good the bad and the ugly of our journey. Our story is the primary shaper of who we have become. To be welcomed it must be possible for a person to have their story known and valued. We can never know forgiveness until we can be accepted into a community for the all of who we are. Story is confession at its best.

Shared story makes it possible for people to develop affinity and to break down our isolation and loneliness in the community. There is great power in knowing that their others who share my human foibles and who can be excited about my dreams and passions. These truths are revealed in story. Our stories honestly shared are what makes God’s story come to life. The cross takes on power and good news becomes truly good news when it intersects with the truth of our stories.

Authenticity – comes to life in a climate where one is both encouraged and allowed to be the all of who they are. Great freedom is discovered when one’s energy is not devoted to trying to gain acceptance but rather is targeted in learning to accept themselves and their neighbor. Authentic people can boldly claim their strengths without arrogance and own their short comings without shame. Authentic people are the catalyst of building community because it is natural for them to love their neighbors as themselves. We express the truth of authenticity in our culture when we say, “Just be you.”

Moderation – Serving alcohol becomes the motivation for lifting up the practice of moderation. This value has been lost in the community. We are living in an increasingly polarized world where life is lived primarily at the extremes. There is almost no middle ground where people can stand together. Finding middle ground promotes a greater sense of balance for a person’s entire life. We plan on modeling moderation at Luther’s Table.

Humility – is knowing one’s rightful place in the community. It requires the ability to empty one’s self of one’s ego in order to make room for others, and for new ways of seeing and understanding the world. Humble people speak the truth without claiming a monopoly on it. Humble people are not easily offended and in turn are slow to offend others.

Humor – means we do not take ourselves too seriously. It is a constant reminder that, “It’s not about me.” Humor makes room for playfulness, and is a delightful reminder to others that life in all circumstances can be joyful. Humor calls attention to truth, especially when it is painful, in a way that makes it possible to receive the truth.