We Know This Stuff!
I recently directed a virtual hospitality training workshop for a parish and I stopped to have a little discussion midway through. A lovely woman, long -time parishioner, amazing volunteer and leader said, “ You know - we already know this. We know how to welcome people, say hello, take care of each other. But, we don’t do it. Why don’t we?”
That’s the question we love to work on. We know that church is the place we want people to feel welcome, wanted, safe, secure - like family- like they belong. It is often in mission or vision statements too. It’s interesting that people who are actively engaged in their parish can attest to all those things and add more to the list. But those on the margins or edges don’t always feel like that. Why is that? It’s not that we mean to be unwelcoming, but sometimes, when we are in and are connected we forget what it felt like to be new or alone or on the periphery. We feel really good, get involved, attend more and more things, say yes to committees and leadership and by then we are invested and the parish is truly family. One thing we forgot to do was to tell our story regularly or invite others into our Bible study or book club or to bring a fresh voice to a committee or ministry. It’s often later - when people wonder why the same people volunteer and there doesn’t seem to be anyone lining up to take over things. We just didn’t invite, evangelize or tell others what a wonderful parish we belong to - where Christ is the center and all are welcome.
The church exists to evangelize - to share Jesus and his gift of salvation with others. We gather as a community to care for each other, to learn to be a disciple of Jesus on mission. So the church is the place that welcomes, loves, forms and equips. That’s where our gifts of hospitality come in. That’s where our joy and passion come in!
Hospitality sets the stage of an encounter with Christ. It’s not the encounter - it’s all the beautiful kind things we do to make people feel welcome and safe - able to be open to all God has to offer. It’s the foundation, the framework.
That lovely woman at the workshop was right. We know how to be kind and welcoming - it has to be a top priority, not the thing we do if we have time or if we have money or if a committee decides. Hospitality is the responsibility of everyone!
This week, take a look at your parish ministries to see how well each is doing with hospitality and welcome.
Build on all the good that’s happening and for those that need more work or support make a plan to give that ministry a little makeover. Invite people in to the conversation and get going! This present time is a gift to all of us to work on things and to touch more lives with the gift of welcome and belonging.
Peace,
Jane
