Lesson Aim

To facilitate discussions that will aid participants to consider some biblical, theoretical/conceptual, and practical models of hospitality that will foster healthy church growth.

(Matthew 25:35; Matthew 25:40)

Lesson Objectives

• What is the role of the Servant-Leader/Pastor in nurturing a hospitable environment.

• Discuss the need for a radical/intentional approach of a hospitable church.

• Suggested steps for the development of a thriving and effective hospitality ministry.

Lesson Outline I.The Critical Importance of the Relational Leader a. What is the spiritual leader/Pastor’s role in nurturing an environment that is conducive to ministry growth? b. Parishioners will assimilate by association the attitude/spirit of the Pastor. c. The attitude of the relational Pastor will become infectious and transcendent throughout the congregation.

II. Radical Hospitality for Healthy Church GrowthWhat is Radical Hospitality? a. It is an “active” desire to receive and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home. b. It is to “demonstrate” genuine love for others who are not yet part of the faith, and God’s invitational plan to new life. c. It is the “intentional” outward focus to reach out and invite others to the banquet of God’s gracious love.d. It is being “deliberate” in showing love that motivates members to

be open and adopt a willingness to change in order to accommodate the needs of the newcomers.e. It means that the church is not just another social club but the body of Christ constantly seeking to fulfill the mission of Christ. f. It involves seeing a need and taking initiative to reach out and help!

Lesson Outline

III. Radical Hospitality Involves:a. Being intentional to invite, welcome, include and

support newcomers to help them grow in faith as they become part of the body of Christ.

b. Showing people that God in Christ values and loves them.

c. Allowing others to receive the same grace, hope and fellowship that were afforded to us.

d. Seeing people as Jesus sees them.

Lesson Outline

IV. Radical Hospitality goes beyond the invitation and hospitable practicesa. It expresses the generous love of Christ and

God’s invitation to others -- not our own.b. It is a mark of Christian discipleship.c. It is a quality of the Christian community.d. It is the expression of our commitment to grow in

Christ-likeness by seeing others as part of the community of faith, not to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28).

Lesson Outline

V. We belong to the Body of Christ because:

a. Someone invited us.

b. Someone received us.

c. Someone welcomed us.

d. Someone encouraged us

to get involved.

 

Lesson Outline

VI. Visitors will make their decision to become part of a congregation based on the friendliness of the Pastor and people.

(Discuss scenario on p.13-14)

Lesson Outline

VII. Expect Resistance to Changea. Discuss the John Wesley scenario

(p. 14-15).

b. Radical Change will result in radical growth.

Lesson Outline

VIII. Class Discussion (ministry models, successes,

and failures).  a. How would you describe the atmosphere of hospitality at your

church? Friendly? Somewhat Friendly? Not friendly at all?

b. What worked well?

c. What ran its course for the times, but is no longer effective?

d. New models being considered.

e. How do we deal with and change the midst of those who intentionally discourage new members from becoming a part of the congregation?

f. How do we engage those who have become comfortable and complacent and no longer interested in making new disciples? (p.20)

Lesson Outline

IX. The Motivation for our Invitation to Newcomers  

a. Should not be to meet the statistical quota

of the denominational requirement.

a. Meet our financial obligations.

b. Compete with other congregations.

Lesson Outline

Practicing hospitality is not the same as launching a membership drive for a civic organization or inviting people to join a club in order to enhance revenue through dues.

We invite people into our mysteriously sustaining community that finds its purpose in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Lesson Outline

X. Churches that Practice Radical Hospitality (P. 26-27)

1. Make Christian invitation a vital part of the congregation, and the expectation of every member.

2. Communicate their programs to the members and the public through(mailing, brochures, posters, banners, newspapers, websites, and signs).

3. Follow-up with letters to visitors, especially after Christmas and Easter.

4. Learn from other churches how to improve their culture of hospitality.

5. Do not take the easiest route by removing names from the visitors list, and ignore inactive members to save postage. They focus on how to communicate better!

6. Do not look only at numbers. Instead,they genuinely engage people, listen to them and help them feel accepted, respected, connected, needed, involved, and loved.

Lesson Outline

Wrap-UpXI. Hospitality should extend beyond proper signage, accessible parking, trained greeters, and a system of visitor follow-up.  

a. It must extend into Sunday school, missions teams, choirs, and youth ministry.

b. It must be at the core of the identity of the congregation.

c. It must be an unceasing intentional posture that goes with us to our workplace, leisure, neighborhood, and community service.

Wrap-Up

XII. Evaluate the Current Practices  a. Put together a study group to evaluate the current

atmosphere of the church’s hospitality.

b. Evaluation questions should include:

1) How did we hear about the love of Christ?

2) Who invited us to the worship service?

3) What is your traditional model for recruiting volunteers for

ministry?

4) What was your first experience like?

5) What made you feel welcome?

6) Did you experience any coldness or resistance?

Wrap-UpXIII. Another part of the Evaluation process could include

the theological meaning of the congregation. a. It is the presence of Christ in the world.

b. It is the means by which God knits us into a community in

order to transform our lives and the lives of those around us.

c. The church exists to draw people into a relationship with God

through Jesus Christ.

d. The congregation is a school of love, the place where God’s

Spirit forms us.

e. A place where we learn how to give love and receive love

from friends, neighbors and strangers.

Wrap-Up

XIV. Every church should be clear about

answers to these questions.  a. Why do people need Christ?

b. Why do people need the church?

c. Why do people need this particular congregation?

Group Activity (p. 32)• Evaluate your church culture

ApplicationAt the conclusion of this presentation, delegates will be directed to consider and implement the following:   Radical Hospitality should begin with the leader/Pastor. Every leader in the church should be challenged to invite at least

one newcomer a week. Every member should be challenged to invite at least one

newcomer a month. All ministries in the church should make a deliberate effort to

identify, acclimate and assimilate newcomers into the life of the church body.

Be intentional about developing, reviving or revamping their hospitality ministry.

We must be constantly reminded that that church has what people need .

Reference Materials

• Five Practices of a Faithful Congregation

(Robert Schnase)

• Rethinking the Church

(James Emery White)