The Table Church DC

Many of us feel stuck between who we think we should be and who we actually are. Whether you're questioning your purpose, feeling unworthy of your dreams, or wondering if you even have a "calling" at all, you're not alone in this struggle. Through the story of Moses and the burning bush, Shae Washington explores three common obstacles we face when trying to live authentically: not knowing ourselve...

Ever feel like you're constantly performing the "right" version of yourself while your authentic self gets buried under endless expectations? This conversation explores how we've outsourced our sense of identity to social media, productivity culture, and other people's definitions of success—leaving us fractured and exhausted. Through the story of Moses discovering a burning bush during his mundan...

We live in a culture that glorifies the grind, where every moment must be productive and every silence filled. But what if our constant busyness isn't just exhausting—what if it's actually keeping us from the life we want? This conversation explores how margin and attention have become revolutionary acts in a world designed to overwhelm us. Drawing from ancient wisdom and modern realities, Trevor...

We've all been there—desperately trying to figure out what we're supposed to do with our lives, maybe even resorting to flipping open the Bible and pointing at random verses (anyone else tried "Bible roulette"?). The question "How do I know God's will?" might be the most common one pastors hear, yet it remains frustratingly elusive for many of us. Using the story of Moses and the burning bush, thi...

We all curate the best parts of ourselves for public consumption – but what about the messy 90% beneath the surface? Using Moses' 40-year wilderness period as a framework, this talk explores why spiritual dryness and deconstruction aren't signs of failure, but often necessary stages of growth. Drawing from Christian mysticism and personal experience with loss and religious trauma, Pastor Anthony c...

We're told constantly to level up, hustle harder, and become the best version of ourselves. But what if this relentless pursuit of self-optimization is actually keeping us from the peace and purpose we're seeking? In a culture that treats exhaustion as a status symbol and measures worth by productivity, many of us are burning out while chasing an impossible standard of perfection. This sermon by P...

What happens when the faith you grew up with doesn't have room for who you're becoming? Pastor Heidi Mills shares her personal story of moving from conservative Christianity's rigid expectations to discovering her queer identity at age 30. She explores how religious spaces often force people into narrow boxes that prevent authentic self-discovery. Through her own experience of questioning, deconst...

Growing up queer in religious spaces often means inheriting a legacy of shame—being told your identity is incompatible with God's love. But what if the very questions that expose our shame could lead us back to belonging? In this Pride Sunday sermon, Antonio Ingram explores how the Genesis story of Adam and Eve offers a surprising framework for understanding queer identity and faith. Drawing on th...

Our society has become eerily comfortable with hiding disabled bodies and experiences from view. With 25% of people living with disabilities, why do we make them invisible in our communities and even in our religious spaces? This sermon examines how ableism functions as a system that ranks bodies and assigns worth based on constructed notions of "normalcy." Drawing from Luke 14, we explore Jesus's...

What if being "fixed" isn't the point? In this sermon, Matt explores how our narrow definitions of "normal" actually prevent collective liberation. Through the biblical story of Jacob, who received both a blessing and a permanent disability in the same divine encounter, we're challenged to question our assumptions about healing and wholeness. One in four Americans experiences disability, yet our c...

What if disability isn't something to be "fixed," but rather a divine aspect of human diversity? In this candid conversation, Pastor Tonetta leads a community panel with Madison, Udim, and Gwyth as they challenge conventional religious narratives about disability. They discuss how churches often miss the mark by connecting disability with sin or promising its erasure in heaven. The panelists share...

What if disability isn't something to "overcome" but a source of wisdom and creativity? Dr. Amy Kenny flips the script on ableism with humor and insight, showing how disability appears throughout scripture and nature—not as punishment but as divine design. From God's "wheelchair" in Ezekiel to Jesus keeping his scars after resurrection, she reveals how accessibility isn't charity—it's justice. Whe...

Anthony Parrott tackles the question we're all asking: How do we find hope when the world feels like it's burning? Through the unexpected story of discouraged friends going fishing after a crisis, this sermon explores how meaning often shows up in the most ordinary moments—like breakfast on a beach. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by global crises, personal failures, or the daily struggle to keep g...

In a city that often feels like the Capitol from The Hunger Games, how do we maintain our humanity and agency? Pastor Heidi Mills explores what Jesus' radical entrance into Jerusalem teaches us about confronting systems of power without becoming what we oppose. Perfect for anyone tired of feeling like a pawn in someone else's game, searching for ways to create meaningful change in a world that pri...

In the final installment of the Sacred Self-Care series, we tackle that voice in your head that never stops criticizing you. If your inner dialogue sounds like someone you'd never want to be friends with, this episode is for you. Learn why researchers say self-flagellation is actually self-defeating, and discover practical ways to replace harsh self-talk with self-compassion. Perfect for anyone wh...

Former wrestler turned preacher Trevor Wentt breaks down why suppressing your feelings isn't the answer. Through personal stories of depression and King David's intense emotional expressions, he offers a practical 5-step approach to understanding your emotions as valuable signals rather than inconvenient obstacles. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, can't identify what you're feeling, or just...

In a culture that often tells us to suppress our emotions, what if they're actually trying to tell us something important? In this refreshingly honest conversation, Shae Washington unpacks how our emotions—even the uncomfortable ones—serve a purpose in our lives. Drawing inspiration from Pixar's "Inside Out" and challenging the messaging many of us received growing up ("boys don't cry," "happiness...

In a world that constantly tells us our bodies need fixing, this sermon explores what it means to truly accept yourself as "your own best thing." Drawing from Toni Morrison's novel Beloved and the ritual of communion, Pastor Tonetta challenges the false division between mind and body that costs us connection, joy, and presence. Discover how reclaiming your body as holy space can be an act of resis...

Feel like meditation might help your anxiety but been told it's not compatible with Christianity? In this episode, Anthony traces Christian meditation back to its ancient roots, explaining how desert monks used contemplative practices as resistance against empire and power. He breaks down four practical meditation techniques you can try today: Centering Prayer, Breath Prayer, Lectio Divina, and Im...

In a culture that valorizes productivity and constant connection, taking time for yourself can feel selfish or indulgent—especially for those committed to social justice. But what if rest isn't just a reward for hard work, but the foundation that makes meaningful work possible? In this episode, Pastor Anthony challenges our workaholic mindset by exploring what Genesis, the prophets, and even Jesus...

"It is the dance we are fighting for." In this series opener, we explore why radical self-care matters in a world that feels increasingly chaotic. Through stories of bubble baths, borrowed wisdom from LGBTQ+ activists who "buried friends in the morning and danced all night," and a fresh take on ancient scripture, this episode challenges the notion that suffering equals goodness. We dive into Dr. S...

Growing up, many of us learned that Christianity was about escaping this world for heaven and following the one narrow path to God. But what if we've misunderstood Jesus's message? In this eye-opening talk, Pastor Anthony Parrott explores how Jesus redefined God's "house," challenged religious exclusivity, and revealed a divine love that works more like gravity than a gatekeeper. Whether you're de...

What happens when the spaces meant to welcome us become spaces we need to leave? Drawing from Jamar Tisby's #LeaveLoud movement and "The Color Purple," this episode dives into the complex dynamics of leaving religious institutions, toxic workplaces, and communities that no longer serve us. We explore a fresh take on an ancient story about standing in your truth, even when facing pushback from auth...

What happens when the typical answers don't cut it anymore? Daniel Dixon gets real about finding new ways forward in uncertain times. Through the lens of MLK's final writings, ancient wisdom, and DC's rich history of community organizing, Daniel explores how we might create spaces that sustain us - whether that's dance clubs that become HIV/AIDS care centers or faith communities reimagining what's...

What if our exhaustion isn't actually about personal failure, but about systems designed to keep us drained? In this fresh take on the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, Pastor Anthony explores how we can find rest and renewal even in times that feel overwhelming. Drawing unexpected insights from an ancient text, he challenges traditional interpretations and asks what it means to resist sca...