It is called Fort Worth Dish Out, but I call it church

About a year ago I was fortunate to be a part of the first ever Fort Worth Dish Out (website, facebook, twitter). It was crazy fun to be associated with such an event and I am blown away at where the board is taking it these days. Frankly, it is a  source of great personal pride. 

For those who do not know what the Fort Worth Dish Out is, it works like this:
  1. Everyone puts in $20 to get access, a meal, booze, fellowship and the ability to hear about 3 local non-profits.
  2. Everyone hears the non-profits speak for 5-7 minutes to tell what they do.
  3. Everyone votes on the non-profit they would like to support.
  4. The winner of the vote gets 60% of the funds, the other two split the remaining 40%.
We can talk about this as an event or a function or a fundraiser or even as a non-profit in its own right. 

But I call it an expression of Church I want to be apart of. 

When we gather for a common cause, break bread, learn, share, have fun, fellowship, encounter new people and new ideas, give, grow and support those around us - I call that Church.

So for those of us who want the Church to continue into the future and ensure that it remains relevant, I would submit that we look at the essence of what is done on a Sunday morning, take those core elements and see what expression of church you will get. 

What can you create with some combination of these elements:
  • Learning new things
  • Meal
  • Meeting people (old and new)
  • Giving of resources
  • Celebration
  • Sharing
  • Group participation
  • Music
  • Dance
  • Wine
Sounds like a recipe for Church to me.


The next Fort Worth Dish Out will be held on November 4th at 809 @ Vickery (809 W. Vickery Blvd., Fort Worth, 76104) from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Jason Valendy

Husband, father of two boys, pastor in the United Methodist Church, and guy who is interested in the desert mothers and fathers. The idea of Orthocardia is the pursuit of having a “right heart” over the pursuit of having a “right belief” (orthodoxy) or a “right action” (orthopraxy).

www.jasonvalendy.net
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