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The Table Project

The Table

Zion Lutheran Church, Buffalo, MN > News > Connect Onlne > The Table

What is the Table?

It is a private network aimed at strengthening faith-sustaining relationships among people at Zion.

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Tips and Updates

General Information

Help!

What can I do on Zion’s Table?

  • Browse a people directory to bring together names of faces of Zion members and friends
  • Find people who live near you or have common interests
  • Share your prayer requests and respond to the prayer requests of others
  • Find small groups that interest you
  • Serve others at Zion with your skills and time
  • Loan or give away items you don’t use much or don’t need at all

Who can join Zion’s Table

Active members of Zion and regular attenders, in 8th grade and above are invited to Join Zion’s Table. Because we feel strongly about privacy, users must be approved before having access.

How do I join Zion’s Table?

Sign Up NowJoin Zion’s table at zionbuffalo.tableproject.org/register/welcome. If you have not yet received an invitation and you are currently attending Zion as your home church, contact Angela (763.682.1245 or abengtson@zionbuffalo.org) for the access code to speed up registration.

What information will I have to provide to sign up and Why?

  • Your email address: This acts as a “key” into our system so that we know that you are who you really say you are. More insight on this can be gained here.
  • First and last name: Self explanatory, I hope … one person per account please :)
  • Home address: The Table is all about local community. Your neighborhood will be displayed on a congregational map but not your exact house address. You control where your address is shown and who can see it.
  • Gender: Your gender will determine your default avatar and is important for search results.
  • Date of birth: As with many other websites, your age is needed for COPPA Act compliance (remember, we probably have your actual birthdate on file in the office, so please don’t try to sign up before you turn 13). Your age and birthday are not displayed on The Table, but it is possible to search for people within a given age range (to help you find people you would like to connect with).

I’m already on Facebook—why would I want to use this?

We love Facebook and we’re not trying to replace it. The Table is something different. Read this article from the team at Tableproject, explaining why a church-specific network is compelling, whether or not you are already a Facebook user.

Is Zion’s Table safe?

  • The Table allows us to extend our existing physical community at Zion into an online presence; the people you see on Zion’s Table are the same people who are physically present with us here during our worship services and other church activities. All the same common sense rules about relating to others face to face at Zion apply on the Table as well.
  • Everyone on the Table has the ability to flag any content that is in some way inappropriate.  Flagged content is automatically removed from view until an administrator reviews it.
  • Teens on Zion’s Table can interact with other Zion teens as well as adults who have been screened and given specific permission to do so by Zion’s youth staff.

What about privacy?

  • By default, your address and phone numbers are hidden from the rest of the church (except for administrators) and people you mark as your friends can see your phone number but not your address.
  • You can decide your own privacy levels where everyone or just your friends can see your information. And even if you keep your address or contact information hidden, you are still able to communicate and fully participate at the ZionTable.

Why fill out a full profile?

  • Your profile photo is important. People want to connect with a face, not a generic icon.  It helps people recognize you, and helps them learn your name. Here’s how. This is so important that we’ll send multiple friendly reminders if you haven’t uploaded a profile photo :)
  • By sharing your interests and skills you can connect with other people who have common interests. On Sunday morning those tags can be the difference between a conversation starter and standing around awkwardly. Here’s how.

Where are my groups?

Over time, more and more Zion groups will be on the Table.  In most cases group leaders will dictate how quickly.

  • If you are a group leader, create your group on the Table today and invite your group participants to join!
  • If you are in a group encourage your group leader to set up the group on the Table!
  • Anyone can create an interest group that is not an official Zion group (like NASCAR fans, knitters, or cancer survivors).

Who built this?

Tableproject is a nonprofit Christian ministry based in the Twin Cities with a vision for serving the church with the Table. We’ll let them tell you more about that themselves.

Is this a finished product?

Nope! The Table is very new (was opened for all churches to join in the spring of 2011) and is under constant development. That’s why there’s a tab that says “Feedback” on the right side of the screen. This feedback will go to the developers to make this product even better for us and other churches. All users are encouraged to be constructively critical and let them know what you want, what you like, and what could be better!

Who supports the Table financially?

The Table is free for churches and users. In fact, Tableproject’s manifesto states that “The Table is a gift to the church. We don’t want that gift to come with any obligations or strings attached. Because then it’s no longer a gift.” Tableproject will not be selling user data or using banner ads.

Initial development of TableProject has been supported by an organization called Youthworks. Sound familiar? This is the organization that Zion has partnered with many times for youth mission trips. Youthworks frequently sets aside financial resources to incubate new ideas that can help the church. The Table Project was one of those ideas, and hopes to become self-sufficient through a number of sources.

Can I access the Table on my mobile device?

Does everyone at Zion have to sign up for this … What if I hate computers?

Not at all. There is not a hard and fast rule that you should be on this site. This is just one, although one important, way to get connected at Zion. We really believe that it’ll help build more community at Zion. But, we think that if you are active at Zion, you will want to create a Table account. Even if you don’t use a computer at all, signing up for a Table account will still allow you to receive text messages from groups you are connected with. Angela will personally meet up with you to help you get squared away. She’s more than happy to do that!

I Need Help

Contact Angela (763.682.1245 or abengtson@zionbuffalo.org), or check the online help.

Zion seeks to share Christ's word, strengthen faith and serve those in need