What Does a Hospitable Congregation Look Like?

Christians are supposed to be hospitable, that is “lovers of strangers”. So when a stranger visits our assembly how should hospitable people act?

Before we answer that question let’s ponder why a stranger might visit our assembly. It might just be that they are sick of their lives and have some need and are looking for God. And they have heard that God’s people are kind and compassionate and are happy because they have been forgiven of their sins.

An inhospitable congregation would simply just ignore a person like that… just flat out ignore them. Jesus weeps.

There are several levels to hospitality.

- Extend a greeting… introduce yourself.
- Extend a greeting and initiate a conversation; where are you from, what kind of work do you do, how did you hear about us, where have you been attending, do you have a prayer request.
- At the conclusion of services greet them again, ask if they have any questions and invite them back.
- When a stranger comes in after services have started help them find a seat. Don’t make them crawl over you. Either scoot down or get up and let them in.
- Help them find the song we are singing or give them your songbook and find another.
- Invite them to lunch either in your home or out to a restaurant.

Reasons given to excuse our inhospitality

- I like to sit at the end of the pew.
- I sit up front and the visitors always leave before I can get to meet them.
- I’m shy.
- I can’t afford to take a visitor out to eat.

All these excuses start with some form of the word “I”… it’s all about me. If being hospitable were truly a concern we could find ways around these excuses. Julie and I started sitting at the back of the building precisely for the purpose of intercepting visitors. Walker and Jo Len have begun getting up and moving to the back during the announcements so they can greet visitors.

If you can’t afford to take a visitor out to eat bring me the receipt and I’ll pay for it.

I don’t want Jesus crying over our inhospitality I want him to be happy and proud of us.