Table Talk — Mission Mississippi

TableTalk

Mission Mississippi · Cohort Initiative

TableTalk

Multiethnic groups. Monthly meals. Christ-centered conversation.

TableTalk

What is Table Talk?

The Mission Mississippi Table Talk Cohort Initiative brings together 4 core members — with spouses welcome, up to 8 total — for monthly shared meals and guided conversation, fostering Christ-centered dialogue on race, reconciliation, and community oneness.

Each cohort shares 8 meals across the year using Table Talk cards, then joins all cohorts for a 9th celebratory gathering — building relationships on truth, grace, understanding, and trust.

Ground Rules hover to expand

1

The Gospel Shapes Our Conversation.

The gospel gives us the motivation to come to the table and guides how we have the conversation. Every theory must be filtered through Scripture.

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2

Vulnerable Conversation Can Be Unpolished.

We don't have all the angles. We can expect to misspeak or get it wrong. Walk with a humble heart and open ears to learn.

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3

Hopeful and Merciful Conversation Allows Vulnerability.

Assume the best intention in your brothers and sisters. Be merciful as they stumble. Assume people are here because they care.

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4

Honest Conversation Is the Quickest Way to Gain Ground.

Be bold enough to ask the genuine questions, and gracious enough to accept the genuine questions.

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5

Harsh Conversation Is the Quickest Way to Destroy Ground.

Conversation shouldn't be mean or harsh. Grant each other the Christlike grace needed to get to reconciliation.

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6

Growing Love, Understanding, and Empathy Is the Goal.

We may not agree on everything, but we should always leave with better understanding of and empathy for one another.

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What to Expect hover to expand

Expect: Difficulty

Conversations around racial healing are generally difficult. Our shared history includes pain, distrust, failures, and resentment. We must fully expect that sometimes it will be challenging to fully unpack.

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Expect: Discomfort

Challenging conversations can be uncomfortable, but so is growth. In the discomfort, remind yourself of the benefits of growing in your understanding and regard for those around you.

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Expect: Disagreements

Because our experiences, backgrounds, and social circles differ, we should not be surprised when we disagree. Prepare for it and think about healthy ways to engage it.

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Expect: Greater Depth

The reward for journeying through difficulties, discomforts, and disagreements is a greater understanding of the people around you and deeper fellowship with them.

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Tips for a Successful Year

Schedule All Eight Meals Upfront

Put every date on the calendar before anyone leaves the first gathering. Groups that lock in the full year have far better completion rates than those who plan month to month.

Spread Breaks Intentionally

Three break windows across the year. Consider June, July, and January. Decide early and hold to it.

Covenant to Stay at the Table

Commit together — verbally, as a group — to remain for the full year. These conversations have ebbs and flows. That commitment holds the group through the harder sessions.

Know What You're Working Toward

Every participant who completes the full cohort year receives a certificate of completion at the year-end gathering. Finish well.

Read the Ground Rules at Every Talk

Make it a standing ritual — someone reads them aloud from the app at the start of each gathering. Do not paraphrase them. The exact wording matters.

Rotate Who Hosts

Shared ownership deepens the cohort and prevents uneven burden on one relationship.

Protect the Meal

The food is part of the ministry. Linger over it before the cards come out.

Name a Point of Contact

One person who nudges the group when momentum stalls. Not a leader — just a coordinator who sends the reminder and confirms the location.

Give Yourself Permission to Linger

The most significant moments often happen after the last card. Don't rush out.

Pray Together

Open and close each gathering in prayer. This is gospel-rooted work — let it be gospel-grounded in practice.

At the Year-End Gathering

Come ready to celebrate, share what you learned, and recruit. Every participant is encouraged to invite three new individuals to form a new cohort for the coming year. The movement grows one table at a time.

TableTalk

TableTalk — Opening Review

TableTalk

TableTalk — Commitments

TableTalk — Our Journey

TableTalk — Admin

Admin Access

Enter the admin password to manage groups.