Are you the center of your work story—or is Jesus? In this deeply personal episode, Erik Cooper reflects on a moment behind the piano during worship that revealed a tension many of us feel: the subtle pull between glorifying God and seeking recognition for ourselves....
What if the line between sacred and secular was never meant to exist? At The Stone Table, we’re not just talking about bridging that divide—we’re dismantling it. Welcome to Stone Table 2.0—a bold movement mobilizing marketplace Christians to embrace the sacred value...
Bill Tibbetts walks participants through a reflective exercise during this CBB session on “Work and the Great Separation.” Using the metaphor of a lunch tray, he challenges attendees to identify which areas of their work feel “sacred” and which still feel...
In this kickoff session of the 2025 CBB series, Erik Cooper unpacks “The Great Separation”—the false divide between sacred and secular that leaves many believers feeling like second-class citizens in God’s Kingdom. Through stories, humor, and theology, Erik challenges...
Erik Cooper shares a story about his son’s journey to making the C Team in middle school basketball—a reminder of how so many marketplace believers feel about their role in God's Kingdom. They see pastors and missionaries as the A Team, while they feel like B Team or...
During a recent trip to Springfield, Missouri, Erik Cooper found time to visit his 86-year-old aunt and uncle—faithful missionaries and bivocational pastors who have spent their lives serving Jesus without fanfare or headlines. As they reminisced, Erik was reminded of...
Erik Cooper reflects on the intricate relationship between marketplace skills and missionary work, weaving personal insights through the lens of his new health-tracking ring. He explores how life’s uncertainties require a long-term perspective, drawing parallels...
Erik Cooper explores the emotional complexities of life's transitions, whether entering adulthood, changing careers, or embracing retirement. Through personal reflections and professional insights, he illustrates how discomfort during these times is natural and...
Explore a transformative perspective on generosity with Stone Table board member David Wigington as he challenges conventional views at the Chi Alpha Commission Conference. Discover the biblical formula of “joy plus poverty equals generosity,” and learn how heartfelt...
Join Erik Cooper as he explores the profound connection between marketplace skills and missionary work. Drawing on personal anecdotes and insightful stories, Erik emphasizes how the Great Commission extends beyond traditional ministry roles, involving everyone in...
The Lunch Tray That Changed Everything Picture a school lunch tray. You know the one: rigid compartments keeping the mashed potatoes far away from the fruit cup, the main course separated from the dessert. For many of us, this tray has become an unintentional...
How Proximity Unlocks Your Vision for the Great Commission Twenty years ago, Bill Tibbets had zero interest in moving to Minnesota. He and his wife were living comfortably in Indianapolis when an opportunity to interview for a professor position in Minneapolis came...
Why Your Marketplace Skills Are Missionary Skills There's a 99.99% Muslim island in the Indian Ocean where no indigenous church existed until a few years ago. Today, multiple generations of believers worship Jesus there. The catalyst? Not a traditional missionary. An...