October 2008
 

Christine D. Pohl is professor of Christian Social Ethics at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.  In her book, Making Room, she revisits the discipline of welcoming strangers—hospitality—as part of our Christian duty.  Throughout this article I will touch on several of her insights as we study this often uncomfortable idea of hospitality.

So what, by a Christian definition, is hospitality?  First, I think we need to look at how our culture has defined hospitality.  When I think of modern hospitality, I picture family gathered around a dinner table, or friends coming to stay a night with me.  Perhaps when you think of hospitality you think of the "hospitality industry," such as hotels, restaurants—open to strangers as long as they have money to spend.  These practices, however, are not, by definition, Christian hospitality.  Christian hospitality is the idea of welcoming the complete stranger into your midst and making them at home, feeling like one of the family.  In his letters to several early churches, Paul writes of the importance of welcoming the stranger.  He contends that it is one of the most important aspects of the Christian life.  And remember, Jesus said, "Whenever you do this to the least of these, you do it unto me."  When we show hospitality—love, comfort, friendship and care—to a stranger, it is as though we are showing it to Jesus, himself.

Why all this talk about hospitality?  What does this have to do with us as a church?  Certainly it is obvious that in our individual lives we can take more care to be kind to strangers, to not give a judgmental look at the homeless man on the side of the road, to not make assumptions about the people who look different than us.  We could even try the idea of welcoming a stranger into our homes, if the event ever presented itself.  But what can we do as a church family to welcome the stranger?  Christine Pohl writes, "The practice of Christian hospitality [as a church family] is always located within the larger picture of Jesus' sacrificial welcome to all who come to him." 

We have an opportunity each Sunday to practice hospitality.  Below is a list of things to remember as a church when we think about practicing Christ-like hospitality.

• Visiting a new church is a lot like coming into the middle of a huge family function as a stranger.  It can be intimidating.  If the visitor feels like an outsider, he or she may not feel comfortable coming back.
• Visitors to our church are strangers in our midst.  Remember to go out of your way (or just out of your pew) to say hello to him/her.
• When you greet a visitor, say your name once or twice, and make sure to ask for the visitor's name.  Shake hands.  Make eye contact.  Offer to sit with them if they are by themselves on a pew.
• Remember that you don't have to be an extravert to say a simple "hello."  A smile or small greeting can change a visitor's perspective on the friendliness of a church.
• Remember that church members who may have been absent for a while may feel like they are out of place when they return to church.  Go out of your way to greet them, to welcome them and let them know you are glad to see them. 
• Remember, however, when you are welcoming someone to the church to not be overbearing.  Don't ask them what they like to do so you can sign them up for a committee or some other church activity.  Let them just feel welcomed with no strings attached.

When we welcome visitors into our church family, it is important to remember that at one time we were all strangers, too.  Someone took the time, energy and the love to welcome us so that we became a part of the family.  And remember, that while we were sinners, strangers to grace, Christ loved us and welcomed us. 

We have several groups meeting here in our building.  The practice of hospitality includes reaching out to these people as well.  We have Alcoholics Anonymous groups here throughout the week.  The new church-start, Eikon, meets here every Sunday evening.  Also, the New Life Korean church worships on Sunday mornings.  We were blessed to have the opportunity to fellowship with the Korean congregation during our luncheon on Kick-Off Sunday.  The Korean congregation brought a very large amount of food, encouraging us to share with them.  I saw members of Tomahawk spending time talking to members of the Korean congregation, laughing and smiling together.  This was truly an example of Christian hospitality on both ends.  What a wonderful day. 

While you may not have occasion to spend time with many of these groups mentioned above, the concept of hospitality can be one that you practice in your mindset toward these people.  We exist as a church to love one another and love the people of God's creation.  We share our building with others so that they might know the grace, love and hospitality that Christ has to offer through us.  Remember, when talking with other church members about these groups, to stay positive and Christ-like in your words and thoughts.  Countless times I have heard those who use our building express their gratitude for such a loving congregation that would allow them to meet within our walls.  What a witness! God's love can be exemplified through us in real and practical ways as we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by practicing hospitality—love that reaches beyond our comfort zones so that we might make others comfortable. 

Hospitality like Jesus taught is counter-cultural.  In a world that tells us only to love those who are like us, or to welcome those who would welcome us, we have the opportunity to stand out.  We have the opportunity to show our community and our world that we are different.  We can welcome those in need with open arms.  We can share the love of Christ in a radical way that lets people know we practice what we preach.   We can be not only a people of hope, but also a people of Christian hospitality.