In conjunction with the launch of the new website, Calvin Seminary is excited to announce a new content area that we are calling "The Table". This section of the website will allow us to gather pieces by our faculty and other contributors, examining ministry, theology, ethics, pastoral care, justice, and a host of other topics.

Why "The Table"? Back in December of 2016, Calvin Seminary launched a blog by the same name. In the innagural post for that blog, Nathan Bierma wrote

"Tables are where we learn to listen well, to hear a new story or a new perspective that helps us form a deeper understanding. One of the best things to do at a table is to simply be present, sometimes even to be silent—“quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19). In a noisy culture that thrives on conflict, listening is a radical act of love."

In that spirit we offer this new blog, “Around the Table,” as a place to come together and listen to voices from within our community. We see this as a digital gathering place for our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. Here we plan to host reflections, conversations, and questions that are on our minds and in our hearts. We invite you to listen in."

It is in this same spirit that we launch The Table. Sure, our table has expanded a bit and we may have a few new bells and whistles, but the goal remains the same: to be a place where people gather to speak, to listen and to understand.

Further, we see this digital table as living into our mission as a seminary - to train and equip church leaders to go out and cultivate communities of disciples. Whether you are a student, alumni, current pastor, chaplain, youth leader, wherever you might be on your journey towards God's calling on your life, we believe the discussions and thoughts shared in this section are for you.

Bierma's conclusion almost three years ago is an apt one for today:

"We hope this blog can start to do in a digital space what tables do in a physical space: bring people together, and help us listen.

Pull up a chair."