February 2012

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,

Hospitality is a word often used, but far too often un-lived.  “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4:9 ESV) and “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares,” (Hebrews 13:2 ESV) are just two of the more than 60 texts in the Bible referring to the idea of hospitality, and everywhere it is clear, as Christians we are called to lives constantly and consistently extending hospitality to friends and strangers alike.  This is not a suggestion; it is a command.

The dictionary defines hospitality as “the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers,” and “the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.”  We find it quite easy to show hospitality toward those guests with whom we are familiar and likely consider friends.  However, as a community of faith we are called to extend our hospitality beyond family and friends, and as noted above, to do so with joy while seeking out strangers.

Showing hospitality to strangers is nowhere more important than within the context of the church.  Here as nowhere else should we seek to joyfully out-do one another in showing hospitality to the strangers in our midst.  We claim we want to invite people to “Come See, Be Fed, Go Tell,” if this truly the case then we must strive to invite people to ‘come see’ by putting our best foot forward in welcoming them.  If we are intending that people ‘be fed’ here at the Lord’s Table in our congregation, then we need to be sure we show them to a place of honor at that table.  And if we hope they will ‘go tell,’ then they must feel equipped and supported to face the journey and task ahead by their experience here among us. 

Experts in evangelism and church growth have written much about hospitality with visitors and the necessity of being a ‘welcoming’ community. First impressions are lasting ones. Studies show that people often make up their minds about a church within the first 10 minutes of contact.

Long before the pastor preaches, (how fortunate) people often will have decided if they plan to return.  With that in mind, I offer you these welcoming tips for your consideration.  On second thought, let me challenge you to follow these tips for the next three months and see if they make a difference in the warmth and fellowship of our congregation.

These are tips commonly suggested by any number of experts, but they have been edited and arranged by a friend’s church and offered to us as a gift. 

WELCOMING TIPS FOR THE WHOLE CONGREGATION!

CIRCLE OF TEN

          Greet everyone, member or guest, who comes within 10 feet of you. Make a special effort to greet the people you don’t already know within your Circle of TEN.

RULE OF THREE

          Try not to talk to other members you know for the first three minutes after the service.  Talk only to those you don’t know and to people that you know are guests.  It takes guests about three minutes to exit the church after worship so it’s important to make sure someone has made contact with them before they leave.

Welcoming people into our community is not a task that was intended only for a committee, it is a lifestyle to be demonstrated by every person of faith.  Showing hospitality to others and welcoming them into our church family, is not just good manners, nor is it simply a tool for the growth of the church, it is a measure of our faithfulness as Christians.  And for we who claim to be an “Oasis of Hope,” it is a matter of integrity.

May the Lord Bless you and Keep you always in His Grace

   Mitch