Friendly or Hospitable?

There were many times that I would talk to people who attended our church for the first time who would say that we were a friendly church.  That was really encouraging to me.  However friendly doesn't necessarily mean hospitable.  Romans 12:13 tells us that we are to "practice hospitality".  

Hospitality goes beyond friendliness.  It is a word associated with strangers and extends to us the thought of going beyond a hand shake or a smile.  The good Samaritan demonstrated true hospitality when he went the extra mile, crossing over ethnic barriers.

First the verse tells us to practice hospitality.  That is not a command only for those who are extroverted and are willing to take risks.  In many cases it takes practice.  Some folks are better at it than others, but we all need to work at it.  Remember the saying, "practice makes perfect".

Secondly hospitality means particularly to  those who are new or strangers.  This means getting out of our comfort zone and reaching out to those who are new to our group, not in our same social strata, or ethnic mix.  There is nothing more debilitating than to go to a church and see all the cliques enjoying one another and sending a message to an outsider that they don't fit in.

So many churches complain about the revolving door syndrome.  People come and they go.  Why don't they stay?  I wonder if it is a lack of hospitality.

Maybe if the church would stop being just friendly and everyone took hospitality seriously, we might stop the revolving door?

How about next Sunday you get out of your comfort zone and invite a stranger in your church out for lunch?