A Confident Welcome

Scripture

^“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (I Peter 4:9-11 NIV).

Christian hospitality is key in setting the stage for relationships to be built and genuine conversations to take place. Consider all that is included in Christian hospitality and then plan a time for family, friends, and women to gather for fellowship. Fellowship ideas may include a fall tea, a trivia night, a movie night, or a game night.

Introduction

Being hospitable to others is not a gift that comes naturally to everyone. But it can be easy to nurture with just a few simple ideas that help us connect with others to fellowship and grow in faith together. The NIV Exhaustive Bible Concordance tells us that the word welcome means “to receive or embrace.” How lovely is it to receive or embrace someone and make space for them in our lives. The dictionary describes it as, “the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.” As Christian women, we want to treat others with warmth, friendship, and generosity.

We can practice hospitality without meeting in our homes. Invite someone to meet you at the coffee shop, movie theater, local library, or shop together at the Farmer’s market.  Shovorne Charly Adams of www.thehopetable.com reminds us “Opening your door to others and showing hospitality is about demonstrating love. It’s welcoming someone, not just into your home but into your heart.  Hospitality is about saying ‘we’ve made room for you at the table,’ just like Christ has made room for us all at His.”   Welcoming others into your life with confidence building relationships for eternity.

Program Ideas

Decorate trays with items found at the dollar tree store. Directions for a tiered tray can be found at: https://www.dollartree.com/trendy-diy-farmhouse-tiered-trays/idea-20210312, which can be used when hosting guests. Check Pinterest for additional ideas.

In some cultures, the pineapple is considered a symbol of hospitality, welcome and good luck.  Have coffee, tea, and water available and pineapple upside down cupcakes. Here’s a simple recipe: https://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/wprm_print/14445

Make pineapple jam. All you need is one 8oz can of crushed pineapple with juice and ¾ cup of white sugar.  Bring the pineapple and sugar to boil in a small saucepan and boil for 20 minutes, stirring often to allow the jam to thicken. Pour into clean 8oz jar. You could deliver these to someone and invite them to a future women’s ministries program.

Host a block party in the parking lot to welcome the community and introduce them to The Salvation Army and how they would be welcomed at future events. Hand out flyers listing the various programs and activities available.

Invite a local speaker from a hotel or restaurant who can speak about how they use hospitality every day when welcoming people to their establishment.

Hospitality

I’ve always enjoyed visiting the Southern United States where I’ve always felt that people are a little friendlier and kinder. Even the phrase “Southern Hospitality” invokes thoughts of charm, politeness and an offer of sweet tea with good food. I think Southern hospitality is just making people feel comfortable and attending to their needs and you don’t have to be from the south to do that.

What holds us back from being hospitable? We make excuses: my house isn’t clean enough…my kids are in the way…I don’t cook well…

First Peter 4:9,10 tells us to offer hospitality without grumbling and to use whatever gift we have received to serve others. This command is not just to be hospitable, but to do so without complaining about it. Hospitality is about making someone feel welcome. It means making it easy for someone to spend time with you without feeling as if they are intruding. It’s a warm welcome and a comfortable setting. It doesn’t have to be perfect or beautiful, or elaborate just open and welcoming.

In The Salvation Army, we practice hospitality when we offer the ministry of presence. This usually is referenced when we are at a disaster scene and offer comfort to those survivors of the disaster by just being there. We can also offer this ministry of presence to friends, neighbors, the clerk at the grocery store, and the teller at the bank. We have been given the greatest gift in Jesus and can use our faith in Him to serve those around us. It doesn’t necessarily mean we have to open our homes and plan a lavish meal, we just need to open up our hearts and demonstrate love.

Resources

“The Turquoise Table: Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard” by Kristen Schell.  She painted an old table turquoise and put it into her yard to invite her neighbors to just stop by. She was genuine and simple in her approach, and she built great relationships just by being available.