What is Hospitality Ministry?
Hospitality is about extending the better part of ourselves in welcoming and treating visitors among us with the kindness and receptiveness that make their first visit a memorable one and their return visits even better.
The Hospitality Ministry consists of individuals who are called to serve others and thus extend the very love that has freely been received from Christ to fellow Christians and guests. The essence of the Hospitality Ministry is the focus on the needs of others rather than on one’s own. This is rooted in scripture as exemplified in biblical stories of Abraham and the three visitors, the Shunamite woman, the Good Samaritan, the generosity of the widow of Zarephath, the little boy with a lunch and the disciples from Emmaus.
Being of service to others does not happen in a vacuum; service can only be effectively delivered to others in the context of loving relationships and/or friendship. The most valuable earthly possession a person can have is a warm and supportive friendship. But relationships cannot be purchased. They arise from our innermost needs, grounded in our God-given ability to love and care for others. A growing, healthy church nurtures healthy relationships. In all cultures, friendships are developed through hospitality and true hospitality is a spiritual ministry.
The ministry to which a person is called when he or she becomes a member of the hospitality team will include the duties listed below.
Duties of the Hospitality Team
- Study and preparation: Development of a deeper understanding of Christian hospitality and the supporting skills requires study in a small support group. It is important to spend time in caring for one another and in spiritual nurture through Bible study and prayer in order to be able to really love and care for others. The hospitality team meets once a month or once a quarter.
- Taking care of visitors and inviting them to dinner: Organize a system for visitor hospitality which will provide follow-up for their needs as appropriate. Ensure that the local church has a plan for inviting visitors to either a lunch at someone’s home or to a church fellowship dinner at regular intervals.
- Caring for new members. Ensure that there is a system in place for rendering hospitality to prospective and new members, as well as members with special needs, which will integrate them into the fellowship of the church. This includes a priest’s bible class, a new members’ class, home bible study groups, visitation and personal ministry, or the assignment of a special friend or “spiritual helper.”
- Coordination: Promote and cooperate with efforts (link up with other church organs) to encourage social fellowship among church members as a whole.
- Contact with newcomers: Actively seek out, receive, welcome and usher in new people to the church. Offer to assist them to register and make the necessary follow-up.
- Take an interest in people: Personalise or bring the church closer to the people through cordial and loving interaction with visitors.
- Listen for deeper needs: Direct people with varying needs – spiritual, emotional, psychological, physical, educational and informational – to relevant service providers (the pastor, professional or peer counsellors, teachers, physicians, social workers) in and outside the church. Meet people at their points of need.
- Distribute materials: Avail special handouts or packets to visitors.
Would you like to join the Hospitality Ministry?
