Platform to Table

From performance based leadership to authentic connection.

The journey from the Platform to the Table is a journey of Discovery of who God really is, recovery of the authentic self, and reconnection with God, self, and others.

  • Year 1 - See the Love

    We believe performance based leadership is driven by the fear of being unloved. When we perform out of fear we hide who we really are. We perform to please God, and to earn our self-worth, security, and purpose. This causes disorder and disconnection in our lives.

    In Year One, we discover who God really is. We study theology, philosophy, Church history, and the tradition of the Church. Our professors make space for questions like, “What is God like?”, “How does God feel about me?”, and “What does God require of me?”

    As we explore these questions (and more) together, we learn God does not drive us with fear and narcissistic demands. We come to understand that his love is a Gift to be received, and that we belong just as we are.

  • Year 2 - Receive the Love

    When we act or speak with the intention of persuading people to demonstrate love towards us we are performing in a way that leads to unmanageability in our lives. We believe this is a learned codependent survival strategy to be loved and to feel lovable.

    Children learn to perform for their self-worth, security, and purpose in the absence of love, attunement to their needs, and bonding with parents. These elements create secure attachment. Without them, children will instinctively perform to keep the relationship with their parents and their place in the family system intact.

    Leaders who had to perform for love and belonging as children are susceptible to relating to God and the church in the same way they did their parents and their family system. Oftentimes, pursuing a ministry dream, calling, or vision can become a re-enactment of the pursuit of love as a child.

    In our community, we believe love is a Gift to be received, and that God does not require us to perform to stay connected to his love. We endeavor to deconstruct the narcissistic theology that demands performance based connection.

    Rooted in the love of God, we can learn to perform as we were created to do; to use our gifts and talents in ways we truly enjoy and in service and communion with others.

  • Year 3 - Be the Love

    Reconnect with God, Self, and Others.