Every winter, my church works with a local charity and other houses of worship to host a hypothermia shelter. One week a year, each church welcomes a group of our unhoused neighbors into their building, giving them dinner, a warm place to sleep overnight, and breakfast. From November to March, the houses of worship in our community supplement the country’s overflowing permanent shelters, one week and one church at a time.
Last year, one of my church’s hypothermia guests didn’t want to move on to the next church when our week was up. She felt safe here. She showed up several times a week and often stayed all day. She didn’t want to leave the building at night, so staff had to ask her to leave each evening when they locked the church doors.
One night, she just refused. The police had to be called. After they persuaded her to leave (and tried to direct her toward some help), the police officers asked our staff member if he wanted to ban the woman from the building altogether. He said no, of course not! She was welcome in the church building whenever it was open.
Different churches excel in different aspects of serving, as Christians in each place exercise their unique gifts and talents for the glory of God. One of my church’s strengths is hospitality.
Showing Hospitality to Strangers
In its closing chapter, the book of Hebrews gives its readers a variety of advice, including this reminder: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (13:2). I don’t know that our unhoused friend is angelic, but she was made in the image of God, no matter what led to her difficult situation.
Most opportunities for a church community to be hospitable are not nearly as challenging as figuring out what to do when an unhoused person walks into the church. When Christians, individually and as a group, cultivate an attitude of welcome, we get to love our neighbors in a tangible way.
Even just engaging a newcomer in conversation and being curious about their lives—truly listening to their story—is an uncommon act of hospitality in a culture that often seems too hurried to stop and chat. We can practice “holy lingering” by slowing down and looking for opportunities to care for others with the gifts of our time and attention.
Gathering Together in Community
Nothing brings people together like food, and Christians are always ready for a potluck! Jesus’ first recorded miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding (John 2), and He fed the five thousand by multiplying bread and fish (recorded in all four Gospels). Throughout the Gospels, Jesus sits and eats with people, including tax collectors and “sinners.” This scandalizes His enemies, who were accustomed to eating only with their own. It’s safe to say that Jesus would enjoy a potluck meal.
Hospitality and food go together. Often the first thing we ask of a guest in our home is whether they want something to eat or drink. Sharing a meal connects us—whether it’s a Thanksgiving feast or a pizza delivery. We were created to live in community with God and others, and sharing a meal fosters and strengthens community.
In Communion, Jesus both hosts us and gives us Himself as food and drink—the ultimate act of hospitality. Around the Communion table, we are unified as one Body, coming together in Christ.
The next time your church has Communion, look around at your fellow Christians coming forward to eat and drink and receive God’s forgiveness. Each one is dearly loved by God and has his or her own story of God’s work in life. Choose a few people in the room to pray for as you’re waiting.
The Hospitality of Prayer
Any group of people can host, serve a meal, or engage in a caring conversation. Only God’s people can offer the hospitality of prayer.
At each Sunday service, we ask everyone to fill out a “welcome card.” The front asks for the usual information: name, date, contact information. On the back of the card, at the top, is the real welcome: “How Can We Pray for You?” Every week, the staff prays over each request and shares it with the congregational prayer group if requested.
When I write a prayer request on the welcome card, I often receive an email from a staff member a few days later, telling me that they have prayed for me. As an active church member, I feel cared for and included when I get that email. I imagine that visitors and newcomers to the church also feel included and cared for by God’s family when they receive notification that they have been prayed for.
Not everyone feels comfortable with spontaneously praying out loud, but for those who are, try asking someone if you can pray with them. We often end a conversation with “I’ll keep you in my prayers,” but do we remember later to actually pray? When we have the willingness (and courage!) to pray out loud with and for another person, we invite God to make His presence and comfort known right then and there. What a beautiful way to love our neighbor!
When we gather as Christ’s Body, we have the joy of practicing hospitality in His name. In the ministry of welcome, we share the love of God with others through our words, deeds, and prayers. May the Holy Spirit empower us to share His welcome with all who seek Him.
Scripture: ESV®.
Remind yourself of the gifts God gives His children and how you can use these gifts to bring the unchurched into His community in Gathered by Christ.
