Radical Hospitality

March 14, 2010

Dr. Timothy L. Bias
Senior Pastor

Let’s make Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday models of hospitality at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church. Bishop Robert Schanse in his book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, writes:

“Christian hospitality refers to the active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ. It describes a genuine love for others who are not yet a part of the faith community; an outward focus, a reaching out to those not yet known, a love that motivates church members to openness and adaptability, willingness to change behaviors in order to accommodate the needs and receive the talents of newcomers. Beyond intention, hospitality practices the gracious love of Christ, respects the dignity of others, and expresses God's invitation to others, not our own”
“Radical means ‘drastically different from the ordinary practice, outside the normal,’ and so it provokes practices that exceed expectations, that go the second mile, that take welcoming the stranger to the max. It means people offering the absolute utmost of themselves, their creativity, their abilities, and their energy to offer the gracious invitation and reception of Christ to others.”

Every Sunday we have visitors, guests, and new comers, experiencing the life and ministry of our church. Let’s create an atmosphere of radical hospitality.
One way to begin to create an atmosphere of radical hospitality is to do the following:

∼ Find your seat in the worship area;
∼ Look at the row in which you are sitting, the row in front of you, and the row behind you;
∼ Consider this your "area of greeting" in the worship area;
∼ Greet the people who sit in your "area of greeting" every time you worship;
∼ Get acquainted with the persons you do not know (It does not really matter whether they are visitors, strangers, or long time members. If you do not know them, introduce yourself and anyone sitting with you.)

Another way to create an atmosphere of hospitality is to do the following:
∼ Anyone and everyone you meet in the hallways of the church buildings, greet them with a smile, a handshake, or a hug. Let each person know that he/she is special and that you are glad he/she has chosen to be a part of the life of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church.

At the very least do the following:
∼ Look for new faces in the congregation;
∼ Introduce yourself to people you do not know;
∼ Listen for names and remember to address people by name;
∼ Help persons locate and sign the attendance registration pad (model for them);
∼ Be quick to greet persons in the Sanctuary, Welcome Center, Little Theatre, hallways, Sunday School rooms, sidewalks, parking lots, etc. If you are having a conversation with a friend, encourage them to break off the conversation and greet the people you do not know. We are in this ministry together. Friends will understand;
∼ Introduce persons to your friends and to people sitting around you;
∼ Introduce persons to one of the pastors. (Introducing persons to one of the pastors makes them know they are important and welcome).

God is providing great opportunities for hospitality. Your welcoming and inviting action creates an atmosphere of friendliness and ensures that everyone is greeted and welcomed at every gathering in the life of our congregation. One rule of hospitality to remember: Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Let’s make Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday models of hospitality at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church. What do you think? Why not prepare by practicing “hospitality” at this very moment. Why not greet the people sitting around you right now?

I look forward to greeting you in worship every Sunday

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