Hospitable Thoughts

 

 

Here are some great thoughts from an article on Christian Hospitality. 

 

  Hospitality is something that should permeate the church. It should be the lifeblood of community that should be thriving in each church so much so that your neighborhoods feel the affects of hospitality. 

 

Hospitality is not about having the perfect house or showing off your cooking skills. Hospitality is about meeting people where they are and learning how you can best serve them - whether that be with a warm meal or friendly conversation.

 

Hospitality doesn't need to be expensive. You don't need special skills or resources. All you need is a willingness to serve and the motivation to go do it!

Provide Coffee or Dessert - Keep it simple

Having people over doesn't always have to be for dinner. So have the single mom from down the street over for coffee. Invite that new family at church over for dessert after the evening service. Don't over-think it. Just provide some hot coffee or some cookies and get to know each other!

Meet at a Park

I know a big concern for many people who want to practice hospitality is having enough room. An easy way to have a big family over is to meet at a park for a picnic lunch. Each family can bring their own meals {maybe you can provide dessert} and you can get to know each other in the sunshine while your kids play together.

Use Your Gifts

Think of some ways that you are gifted and can bless others with that gift

Have a BBQ

Invite your neighborhood over for a backyard BBQ, get to know those who live nearby, and be good witnesses of the Gospel!

Host a Potluck

If you are inviting others over often, this can create quite a financial strain over time, especially when you are committed to eating healthy. Invite a large group over and ask each family to bring a main course or a side dish.

Hosting a potluck opens up the door for hospitality without putting all the strain on you and your family. You can easily have large groups (like your Bible study group) over without feeling the financial strain and having to spend days in preparation.

Practicing hospitality doesn't have to be overwhelming, scary or financially stressful. The threat of feeling like we have to be perfect can cause us not to open our homes and our lives to others. It can feel like we have to have a perfect house and be a gourmet chef in order to have people over.

We can be paralyzed by the fear of hospitality, but hospitality doesn't have to be intimidating. Whether you live in a big house with lots of room or a small apartment, hospitality is doable and vital to the health of the church. Here are a few resources to get you started if you want to practice hospitality for the first time.

 

From Keeper of the Home