Many churchgoers would describe their congregation as “friendly,” but we should make a clear distinction between “friendliness” and “hospitality.” Friendliness is a fine starting point, but its embrace may not be as wide or as deep as Christian hospitality. Through the lens of Christian faith, hospitality becomes a countercultural expression of love that elevates us above fear of the “other” and compels us to welcome the stranger.
One of the post-resurrection stories in John offers a glimpse of how Christian hospitality bears witness to Jesus Christ. In John 21, a stranger found Jesus’ disciples fishing without success, and he encouraged them to try again. When they did, the disciples hauled in a miraculous catch (21:6). Not long after this, the stranger asked the disciples to eat breakfast with him; he had already prepared a fire of burning coals to cook the fish. Through the hospitality of a shared meal, the disciples recognized that the stranger was Jesus.
When we offer compassion and generosity to people in our congregations and our communities — especially in a socially and politically polarized climate — we bear witness to the presence of Christ among us.
As we strive to be hospitable, the goal should be to make everyone feel more seen, included and valued. One challenge for leaders is to think about what this means in worship and congregational life.
Who is in our community? Who is missing from our community? What are the barriers in our congregational structures that keep people from experiencing the love of God? A faithful reading of Scripture tells us that hospitality is not a destination. Hospitality is a spiritual practice that invites us to reflect and then act.
Resources
Humbling ourselves to welcome one another in the spirit of hospitality
A mother’s boundless generosity reflects the Christian call to hospitality, writes an associate director of the Thriving Congregations Coordination Program.
By Angel Eaglin
How hospitality and faithful discipleship make for good work
For years, Good Works has served people living in poverty in southeastern Ohio with respect and dignity. In their book, founder Keith Wasserman and ethicist Christine D. Pohl explore what makes this ministry an authentic expression of Christian life and discipleship.
Q&A with Keith Wasserman and Christine D. Pohl
Hospitality can help conquer loneliness
Community and connection are the antidotes to loneliness, says an educator and writer. Hospitality can help bring about that healing.
By Phoebe Farag Mikhail
Hospitality is more than entertainment
While writing about hospitality, an author wrestles with questions about who belongs at the table.
By Allison Backous Troy
Hospitality: A resource from our partners at “Practicing our Faith”
Learn more about concrete practices, worship materials and resources to help your community become more hospitable to the stranger in your midst.
Before you go
Welcoming strangers is something the church should do well. After all, Hebrews 13:2 introduces us to the intriguing idea that by entertaining strangers we are showing hospitality to angels in disguise. Have you seen any angels recently?
As leaders, we nurture a culture of kindness, generosity and compassion to help our communities reflect God’s love in tangible ways. We may wonder how we can act prophetically in our times. Hospitality offers one possibility. We can practice inclusion rather than exclusion. We can cultivate trust rather than fear.
Christian hospitality is more than just a post-worship meet-and-greet. Each time we bear witness to the presence of Christ, and especially when we do this in a way that breaks barriers and crosses divides, we embody an example of a more excellent way.
The disciples recognized Jesus as they ate a meal of fish and bread. How can our congregations help more people recognize Jesus?
You can always reach me and the Alban Weekly team at alban@duke.edu. Until next week, keep leading!
Prince R. Rivers
Editor, Alban at Duke Divinity