Church is Changing Church is Changing: Episode 89 - Erin Barnes
Feb 25, 2026
Erin Barnes, United Methodist pastor who founded Open Table Church in Mansfield, Texas, talks about starting an inclusive, family-centered, trauma-informed congregation. She shares stories of a Christmas front-yard worship, building a lay-led community, and designing accessible worship for neurodiverse people. Expect warm, unpolished tales about patience, advocacy, and welcome for quirky neighbors.
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Front Yard Christmas That Became The Church
- Erin Barnes describes how a small group turned spontaneous conversations into a Christmas front-yard worship that grew from ~40 to ~100 people and became the church's first clear moment of "this is church."
- The service moved indoors for candlelight, included kids with glow sticks, Silent Night, and communion, and convinced Erin this community was hers to shepherd.
Build A Church That Survives The Pastor
- Erin emphasizes building a church that functions beyond any single pastor so the community remains bonded if leadership changes.
- She intentionally cultivates lay leadership and structures ministry so the church can operate when she's away, evidenced by a successful Sunday while on vacation.
Choose A Name That Invites Ownership
- Name your congregation around a simple, evocative image that expresses mission; Open Table won by member vote because it signaled welcome and a crowded, shared meal.
- They adopted Brandi Carlile's Crowded Table as a touchstone song and used member voting to build ownership.