The Warehouse: Tuesday Table Talks

Tuesday table talks

The Coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives in ways we probably have not fully comprehended. Any crisis is also an opportunity for us to grow. James said we are to consider it all joy when we encounter various trials. They are working in us patient endurance. We must allow perseverance to finish its work so we can be mature and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4) As pastors, we are seeing this pandemic and subsequent financial calamity affect our parishioners and those we touch in many ways. Some are basic, like the need for food or monetary assistance. Others are more complex: mental, emotional, relational, systemic, spiritual and justice oriented. At The Warehouse OTR, we’ve decided to tackle some issues others may not be touching.

Our initial concept for Tuesday Table Talks was going to be in-person at our location, 1310 Race Street in our fellowship hall. We were going to convene 25-50 people from various walks of life and perspectives, by app or invitation, to discuss relevant issues in our Community and introduce them to a Christ-following world-view. Obviously, God had other plans. In business, a pivot is a change in strategy without a change in vision. As the shelter-at-home orders were introduced, we decided to co Tuesday Table Talks virtually. We would offer relevant content to help people through this crisis from Christian professionals with great insights.

Our first set of Tuesday Table Talks were interviews with Mental Health Professionals. Pastor Cindy Robertson, a licensed counselor and social worker, Dr. Gary Sweeten, a Christian psychologist, and Dr. Rosallind Smith-Sistrunk, a marriage and family therapist were interviewed

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respectively on: how to deal with anxiety in the pandemic, how men can better cope with the crisis, and how to maintain a healthy marital relationship in quarantine.

The financial implications of the pandemic began to hit individuals, small businesses, and families with closings, and unemployment rising. So we interviewed financial professionals. Accountants Christine Luken - The Financial Lifeguard, and Candice Hayes-McInnis of PROVIDOM, respectively shared on personal financial stability, and the needs of micro-enterprises and small business owners. In addition Marc Henn, CFP President of Harvest Financial Advisors, shared about how we should view our investments and retirement accounts during the pandemic.

This content has proven to be very beneficial to our listeners and has given us ways to support the mental health and financial security of congregants. It also helps pre-Christians know that the Church is poised to deal with relevant issues in a practical and wise way. The Warehouse Church OTR is about transformation. God wants us to grow, mature, and change. Jesus brought renewal, revival, and restoration to those He encountered. God anointed Him…and us… to mend the brokenhearted, to release the captives, to bring recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the bruised, and to proclaim God’s free-flowing favor to the world. We are called to this ministry to rebuild desolate cities that have been in ruins for generations. (Isaiah 61:1-4; Luke 4:18-19) Tuesday Table Talks is one way we are accomplishing this mission.