Six spots remain in Hospitality Reading Group (Keith Howard)

Hospitality has always been something of a struggle for me. The roots of this unease lie in my personality type and family practice but nonetheless it remains true. During my five years working with the Emerging Spirit team it became increasingly obvious that hospitality needs to be one of, if not THE, pre-eminent practice of the church, including our congregation, in this time. It was one of those “I know someone (else) who should hear this sermon (but I’d prefer not to)” moments.

The theological rationale for a ministry of hospitality is straightforward. God reaches out to us and connects with us and we are called to the same rhythm. At a deeper level, our conception of God, as Christians, is of God as Trinity which means we envision God as three persons yet one. Part of what this means is that relationships lie at the very core of who we understand God to be. Abundant life, godly life, resides in relationships.

Strategically, for the church as an organization, this could not be happier since, the larger culture now is all about relationships. Businesses no longer seek clients but partners; and for those under the age of 45 relationships are the axle around which their lives whirl.
In terms of the mission of the church, we should be rejoicing since part of who we are/called to be lines up with the current cultural environment.

For me, wrestling with the biblical meaning of hospitality has involved letting go of some things while accepting some others.

Hospitality DOES NOT equal friendliness. It may include this but radical hospitality, in the Biblical sense, involves more than being pleasant or non-offensive. Christian hospitality means seeing the other in a different way. This often involves some conversion on our part individually and as a community to not see “new people” as a customer, fresh meat, fuel to keep the church machinery running or perhaps even as visitor to “our” house.
Hospitality is not only the task of extroverts. When I have a role and a script it is much easier and it has gotten easier with practice but, in my core, I am not a person who seeks out crowds. A party for me could be up to five people! Nevertheless I am not excused from the call to Christian hospitality.

During the next couple of years a group of us have committed to increasing our understanding of the Christian concept and practice of radical hospitality. On the third Sunday of each month the Hospitality Reading Group shall meet for a couple of hours to pursue conversation sparked by our reading.

The original goal was for 12 conversation partners; six spots remain so speak to Gaye or I if you are interested in one of the remaining six places.

The initial book we are reading is Dave Gibbons, The Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for a third-culture Church. Zondervan Carr Books (Jan 26 2009). Those who do not get a spot among the group of 12 or who can not make the meeting time are welcome to read along and comment through the Oak Bay blog. As we read along, I will try and post comments, questions and wonderings that emerge.