Dinner Church Weekend
March 15-16 | Parkersburg, WV
New Dinner Churches are popping up every day!
Jesus' followers of all stripes are rediscovering the power of gathering around a table. New people are experiencing God's grace, and old congregations are being re-energized.
Inspired by the practices of Jesus and the first churches, Dinner Church is a simple, ancient, and biblical approach. But it's also long-term, complex, and spiritually demanding work.
At Dinner Church Weekend, you’ll learn a fresh way of starting new churches for new people. And you’ll learn how everyday congregations around North America are multiplying new faith communities—and how you can, too.
A Practical and Powerful Training
Dinner Church Encounter
Friday, March 15
10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Discover the power of the historic Jesus Table approach for starting new church communities. A six-hour day conference live or hybrid event, perfect for networks, churches or individuals.
This one-day training is perfect for any pastor, leader or church member who wants to explore the powerful opportunity of Dinner Church.
Registration includes lunch and dinner.
Dinner Church Launch
Saturday, March 16
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Develop your team’s Dinner Church launch strategy. You will leave this six-hour day conference with an actionable plan in hand.
This one-day training will help individual leaders or teams turn Dinner Church from a good idea to a powerful, actionable plan.
Registration includes lunch.
Your Guides
Since 1999, Dr. Verlon and Melodee Fosner have led a congregation in Seattle, transitioning their 96-year-old church from traditional to a multi-site Dinner Church, Community Dinners. Amidst widespread church decline, they embraced the Apostolic Era's communal dining approach. Their first Dinner Church in 2008 drew many to a struggling neighborhood near their church, leading to more such establishments in similar areas. They founded DinnerChurchCollective.net in 2014 to guide others in adopting this model. Joining the Fresh Expressions team in 2016, they began coaching declining churches. Verlon, with a Doctorate from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, has authored several books, including "Dinner Church", to assist leaders in this transition. The couple, with three adult children and a large family including grandchildren, foster kids, and grand-dogs, remains dedicated to reinvigorating church life.