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Jenna Sanderson reflects on God’s Banquet of Belonging, the theme of this year’s A Deeper Communion Conference. Drawing on Luke 14 and insights from keynote speakers across Canada, she explores how churches can move beyond simply inviting people with disabilities to the table and instead honour their gifts, build meaningful relationships, and welcome them as co-labourers in the Body of Christ.
Photo by Alexander Mass on Unsplash
Imagine people from every nation, tribe, and language smiling joyfully, worshiping God, and loving their neighbours beside them around one large, grand table full of endless food and bountiful beverages.
More Than an Invitation
This beautiful image of the unity of believers, “The Banquet of Belonging,” was the theme for this year’s A Deeper Communion Conference. The parable of the banquet is a powerful illustration of God’s heart for all people to be invited and honoured at the table in our churches and ministries.
Jesus tells us in Luke 14:21: “The master…said to his servant, ‘Go at once throughout the city and invite anyone you find—the poor, the blind, and the lame.’”
Jesus is specifically calling those who have been overlooked by society to meet with him. The invitation is only the beginning of God’s provision.
When we invite others to God’s table and presence and get to know them, it opens up opportunities for them to use their God-given abilities.
One Body, Many Gifts
The four keynote speakers, with the Banquet of Belonging as their focus, shared insights on living with disability in community and participating together in the life of the church. Although attendees were from across Canada, we were all united via livestream from Langley, Winnipeg, and Toronto.
Each speaker used different passages of God’s Word to help us understand why the banquet is important.
Sarah Wardlaw, a speech pathologist in Langley who lives with cerebral palsy, explored Matthew 22 and reminded us how life-giving it is not only to be invited to the table, but to know we are honoured by the host, both here on earth and in God’s presence.
Dr. Daniel Rempel, a professor at Providence University College and Theological Seminary outside of Winnipeg, used 1 Corinthians 12 to talk about being part of one body.
Jenna Sanderson and Terry Sanderson speaking at Banquet of Belonging.
My dad, Terry Sanderson, is the lead pastor at Bayview Glen Church in Toronto, and he joined me, Jenna Sanderson, to tell a little of our story navigating disability in the church.
It has been quite a family adventure as I have found ways to participate and contribute in meaningful ways in ministry despite living with cerebral palsy.
We focused on Luke 14, sharing about the power of inviting those with varying disabilities into God’s family and the importance of building relationships.
A Personal Prayer Answered
The conference provided several practical workshops to help churches across our nation welcome and love individuals living with disabilities and their families.
On a personal note, as a child growing up in the church and as a pastor’s daughter, I watched my parents teach together on different occasions. I would pray to God for an opportunity to speak with my dad to a group, too. When my dad and I were asked to share at the conference:
I thanked God for answering my prayer. I love getting to do ministry with my dad.
When we start seeing each other as Christ made us — co-labourers who belong in his Body — we transform our churches into places of true belonging.
About the Author:
Jenna Sanderson:
Jenna Sanderson is a young woman who loves Jesus and is passionate about helping others go deeper with God. Although she lives with the challenges of cerebral palsy, she never lets that stop her from trusting that God has good plans for her life.
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Jenna Sanderson reflects on God’s Banquet of Belonging, the theme of this year’s A Deeper Communion Conference. Drawing on Luke 14 and insights from keynote speakers across Canada, she explores how churches can move beyond simply inviting people with disabilities to the table and instead honour their gifts, build meaningful relationships, and welcome them as co-labourers in the Body of Christ.
Photo by Alexander Mass on Unsplash
Imagine people from every nation, tribe, and language smiling joyfully, worshiping God, and loving their neighbours beside them around one large, grand table full of endless food and bountiful beverages.
More Than an Invitation
This beautiful image of the unity of believers, “The Banquet of Belonging,” was the theme for this year’s A Deeper Communion Conference. The parable of the banquet is a powerful illustration of God’s heart for all people to be invited and honoured at the table in our churches and ministries.
Jesus tells us in Luke 14:21: “The master…said to his servant, ‘Go at once throughout the city and invite anyone you find—the poor, the blind, and the lame.’”
Jesus is specifically calling those who have been overlooked by society to meet with him. The invitation is only the beginning of God’s provision.
When we invite others to God’s table and presence and get to know them, it opens up opportunities for them to use their God-given abilities.
One Body, Many Gifts
The four keynote speakers, with the Banquet of Belonging as their focus, shared insights on living with disability in community and participating together in the life of the church. Although attendees were from across Canada, we were all united via livestream from Langley, Winnipeg, and Toronto.
Each speaker used different passages of God’s Word to help us understand why the banquet is important.
Sarah Wardlaw, a speech pathologist in Langley who lives with cerebral palsy, explored Matthew 22 and reminded us how life-giving it is not only to be invited to the table, but to know we are honoured by the host, both here on earth and in God’s presence.
Dr. Daniel Rempel, a professor at Providence University College and Theological Seminary outside of Winnipeg, used 1 Corinthians 12 to talk about being part of one body.
Jenna Sanderson and Terry Sanderson speaking at Banquet of Belonging.
My dad, Terry Sanderson, is the lead pastor at Bayview Glen Church in Toronto, and he joined me, Jenna Sanderson, to tell a little of our story navigating disability in the church.
It has been quite a family adventure as I have found ways to participate and contribute in meaningful ways in ministry despite living with cerebral palsy.
We focused on Luke 14, sharing about the power of inviting those with varying disabilities into God’s family and the importance of building relationships.
A Personal Prayer Answered
The conference provided several practical workshops to help churches across our nation welcome and love individuals living with disabilities and their families.
On a personal note, as a child growing up in the church and as a pastor’s daughter, I watched my parents teach together on different occasions. I would pray to God for an opportunity to speak with my dad to a group, too. When my dad and I were asked to share at the conference:
I thanked God for answering my prayer. I love getting to do ministry with my dad.
When we start seeing each other as Christ made us — co-labourers who belong in his Body — we transform our churches into places of true belonging.
