On Hospitality

Perhaps, the greatest key to fulfilling Christ's command to go and make disciples is practicing hospitality.  It is an act of mission, not as a means to an end but as a characteristic of the Christ transformed life. 

• Hospitality is a missional practice. 
• It is required of bishops. 
• It is a charge for the church. 
• It is a godly practice. 
• It is an act of worship. 
• It is a blessing for the giver and receiver. 
• It is an act of grace. 
• It is needed for the spreading of the message of Jesus. 
• It is a sign of wisdom and maturity. 
• It should especially be shown to refugees in a strange land. 
• Hospitality should be shown to friends and strangers alike.
• It should be practiced cheerfully and without grumbling.
  

In the Garden, we see God walking and sharing with Adam.  In speaking to the church at Rome, Paul encourages the church to hospitable to strangers (more specifically meaning to have "a love of strangers") going as far as lodging them in our homes. 

At Out of the Cocoon, Paul Walker quotes from "The Shaping of Things to Come" how hospitality awakens spiritual hunger.  In the book, Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch call us to "Be extraordinarily loving : unrelenting kindness and radical hospitality speaks louder than words. By this we are not thinking of a pious, holier-than-thou attitude, but a much deeper and more profound love that connects with an alternative and counter-cultural reality.

Andrew Hamilton at Backyard Missionary had a series of posts on ministry in suburbia.  They focused heavily on hospitality. Andrew takes a look at our proximity, regularity, depth, conflict, the message, and the supernatural (see post 1, 2, 3, and 4).  His words are worth considering as we show hospitality to our neighbors.

It seems that our interaction with Christ, having been received by Him should naturally produce a hospitable heart in us.  But, it doesn't.  Living a hospitable life is a challenge to begin.  Hospitality can be challenge.  It takes us out of our comfort zones.  But, it is good and right and beautiful. 

Other blogs engaging in discussions on hospitality:
PGF Outbox: Markus Watson on Hospitality - Al Hsu: Hospitality in Suburbia - Greetings from the Experiment House: Eating Together -

Comments

[Ela Ortega]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!
Words to live by. I know we do.

[Jerry]

good post yet again

[Phil Hoover-Chicago]

Travis,

This is one of your BEST posts! I believe firmly in the ministry of hospitality, and I practice it, by the grace of God, frequently.

[travis johnson]

Jerry, Phil,

Thanks guys. Hospitality is easy to understand and difficult to practice, especially as we get consumed in our own stuff.

Ela, to me you epitomize the spirit of hospitality. You go out of your way to receive people.

[Phil Hoover-Chicago]

Hospitality is such a "broad" subject...and it's getting broader as the time goes on...

We must open our hearts, our heads, our hands, and our homes to others.

It doesn't have to be extravagant, but it must be authentic.

[KJV]

AMEN! and God Bless

[Josh Butcher]

great post! I think we would be safe in understanding Jesus' words about being known by our love as being known by our hospitality. and you're right, its easy to say that... but not always so easy to live, but thats no excuse.

[beckie nieves]

One of the last things Jesus told Peter "Do you love me? " "Feed my sheep " He said that three times so it must be of the utmost importance....Feeding THE FLOCK is a physical, emotional and mental manifestation of the Love WE THE CHURCH have for our LORD JESUS. When we stand before THE LORD someday HE will asked us the same question...Not about all the things THE CHURCH thinks is soooo deep, but the basic Love for one another....especially showing GRACE, MERCY and FORGIVENESS as HE has done for us. We are HIS ambassadors in a foreign land.

[Nancy Lemmond]

I love being part of our hospitality team at Life-Pointe Church. Not only a team, but a family, of God. We get back much more than we give. Smiles, hugs, hand shakes, pleasant and welcoming words, information, make all feel welcome to our church. I invite everyone new and long time, to join our team, you won't regret it, and you will be serving a mighty, loving God. Get fed, and feed others, as a living Word. Also the hospitality and friendship in our Life Groups is fantastic, join us at the end of August, with a heart and love for God and others.
Nancy Lemmond