In recent days, we have hit some exciting milestones as an organization. A few weeks ago, we ordained our 50th person into our network. For those of us who started this network with very low expectations, this milestone is as surprising as it is exciting.
At a recent board meeting, we had a lengthy discussion of where we are as an organization and what we believe the best path forward should be. We started this network as a bunch of ecclesiastical nomads filing paperwork and creating websites in our spare time. But now that we have grown, it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to stay on top of the administrative snowball. From the beginning days of our little denomination, we did not want to be a “mail order ordination mill” for any yahoo on the internet that wanted to officiate their friends’ wedding. We wanted to truly be a connected network in which people could find community, support, and resources.
In the last two and a half years, I have been blown away by the people we have encountered along the way. There are so many who have been kicked out of their ecclesiastical homes for having boundaries of grace that were considered way too wide. Our connection to this “Island of Misfit Toys” has been authentic and meaningful. We realized we had unintentionally stumbled upon a means of grace. What we are doing is critical to many people’s spiritual journeys.
We value grassroots movements and simplicity. But our little group is quickly becoming too cumbersome to be managed in someone’s spare time. As we mused in recent months about what this might look like now that we have grown to 50 people under our care, our board made the decision to extend an invitation to Jonathan Foster to become the first “Director” of Open Table.
What this means is that starting August 1, we are going to pay Jonathan a stipend to invest time and energy in the 50 people in our tribe. He will be the “pastor of pastors” for lack of a better phrase – facilitating affinity groups, curating resources, and providing encouragement. He will also assist new ordination candidates who are interested in being part of our group. Read more.
We are truly building something great together. Thank you in advance for your willingness to partner with us!
Most Sincerely,
Dana Hicks
President, OpenTable.Network
