Recently, I attended a conference and was wowed by the hospitality shown by the event organizers and the host church. Every need from refreshments to signs was anticipated. Greetings by personnel and even someone with a water bottle cart was the norm. The conference was in Houston, so even beyond the church walls southern hospitality was felt. Waitstaff and strangers alike made you feel welcome and at ease.
It reminded me that hospitality is very important, and I tried to carry these lessons learned back to our Worship 4:24 Conference this past year. As hosts, it is our job to help people feel noticed, comfortable and valued. Noticing people means that you see them as individuals, and you should smile and greet them appropriately. Making them comfortable means anticipating and meeting people’s needs, whether that is giving them directions to a class or bathroom, or having coffee available. To be truly hospitable also means making people know that they are valued. This can be accomplished by thanking them for being a part of the conference or listening when suggestions are made.
THREE QUICK THOUGHTS ON HOSPITALITY FROM SCRIPTURE
1. Scripture commands us to be hospitable toward strangers. Heb. 13:2 says “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Regardless of whether we know someone or not, we are to be kind and gracious to others.
2. We are to be hospitable with the right attitude. I Peter 4:9 says “Show hospitality to one another with grumbling.” It is not enough to do the right thing, it must be done with the proper motivation and with sincerity.
3. We are to seek to be hospitable. Beyond just being hospitable to those around us, Rom. 12:13 says “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” To be truly hospitable people, we need to be seeking out these opportunities, not just being kind when the time comes.
I like your thoughts here Dr. O. This is especially important for us to remember as worship leaders. We have a unique role to lead the church in worship, but this can and should go beyond what we do on the platform. We should seek to be hospitable to everyone we encounter, whether it’s a close friend or a total stranger. I think one thing this accomplishes specifically is an authentic spirit in the church. It’s really easy for a first time guest to join a worship gathering on a Sunday morning, see a bunch of people leading, and wonder if they’re genuine in what they say and do. Being hospitable is a great way to extend authentic Christ-like love and show others that we believe and live what we are singing through our service off the platform.
Great thoughts! It’s not always on the forefront of our busy minds to be hospitable even when it is inconvenient. I’m reminded through this that we are to be like Jesus in every situation we are put in.