Black River Falls Dinner Church: A Fresh Expressions Snapshot

A Seat at the Table: How Dinner Church in Rural Wisconsin Is Feeding Souls and Sparking Renewal

There is something deeply transformational that happens… when we bring out our authentic selves and create a welcoming space for the stranger.
— J.D. Larson, as quoted by Rev. In-Wha Shon

When Church Smells Like Supper

In Black River Falls, Wisconsin, the aroma of hot meals wafting through the fellowship hall isn’t just a sign of hospitality—it’s a sign that church is about to begin.

Each Wednesday night, Black River Falls United Methodist Church hosts Dinner Church, a Fresh Expression of church that’s turning mealtime into mission. There are no pews, no sermons from a pulpit—just community tables, casseroles, shared stories, and the unmistakable presence of Jesus among neighbors.

What started as an experiment has become a movement of its own. Dinner Church now regularly serves 75–200 meals, welcoming everyone from long-time members to folks who might never set foot in a traditional Sunday service. As Rev. In-Wha Shon encourages, “I encourage you to invite your neighbors so they can feel God’s love.”

From Decline to Dinner Tables: Why It All Began

Like many small-town churches, Black River Falls UMC was facing the realities of aging membership and dwindling attendance. But instead of retreating, the church began asking bold questions:
What if we reimagined church not as a place, but as a practice?
What if evangelism looked more like sharing a meal than preaching a sermon?

During a sermon, Rev. In-Wha Shon shared the story of North City Church in Minneapolis, where co-pastors J.D. and Amy Larson made a radical pivot toward Dinner Church in local parks. Their ministry traded pews and pulpits for picnic tables and potlucks—and it worked. J.D. Larson described the moment of change this way:

“When we functioned as a traditional church, we were good at gathering Christians looking for a new church. But we weren’t particularly good at engaging with neighbors who hadn’t been to church in a long time.”

This vision deeply resonated with Rev. Shon and the Black River Falls community. Inspired by the Larsons’ story and rooted in Jesus’ own ministry of meals, they launched their first Dinner Church—and haven’t looked back since.

Meeting Real Needs with Real Presence

Black River Falls is a rural town in Jackson County marked by higher-than-average poverty, an aging population, and limited access to services. Many residents face food insecurity, loneliness, or spiritual disconnection.

Dinner Church speaks directly to these needs. It offers a third space—a sacred place that’s neither home nor work—where people can show up as they are and find belonging. The tables are open to everyone: families, the elderly, the curious, the struggling, the faithful, and the questioning.

“Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.”
— Henri Nouwen

Rev. Shon reflected on how dinner tables—even in his own home—have become places of healing:

“There were moments when our conversation led to the revelation of a sore soul… and we would regain our strength in each other and in the presence of Jesus.”

Dinner Church doesn’t just feed people—it disciples them. Around the table, faith becomes real. Conversations turn toward grace. Strangers become friends. Sometimes, laughter gives way to tears and prayer.

Dinner Church at Black River Falls isn’t flashy, expensive, or complicated—and that’s exactly why it works. It’s church made simple, sacred, and accessible.

“Over and over again, acquaintances became family right in our dining room.”
— Rev. In-Wha Shon

Whether you’re part of a small congregation, a large network, or somewhere in between, you can do this. Fresh Expressions aren’t about trends—they’re about transformation. They’re about being the church with people, not just for them.