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Welcome

Receive with pleasure and hospitality
into one’s company or home.
To receive or accept gladly.

Welcome and hospitality are central to the still speaking God’s message and spirit. Hospitality in the lives of God’s people in the Bible was a response to the very welcoming nature of God. The practice of extravagant welcome and hospitality is evident throughout the scriptural narratives of the Hebraic families and prophets. Welcome was seen as akin to worship, for in welcoming another, not only was the other welcomed but also the divine ‘shekinah’, the holy presence of God that is in each person was recognized and affirmed.

Extravagant welcome and hospitality were central to Jesus’ ministry and teaching. When the disciples tried to keep the children away from him, he said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them: for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” (Luke 18:16) “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:5) Indeed, Jesus welcomed and was welcomed by many who were not welcomed by others or by the religious community.

So central was welcome to Jesus’ teaching that in a parable he warned that we would be blessed or judged by our hospitality to strangers. “Come, you that are blessed…, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for …I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25)

The ministry of the early Christian community and teaching was expressed in it’s hospitality and welcome. St. Paul wrote to Romans, “Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.”(Romans 12:13)

Hospitality

The act or practice of welcoming
guests with warmth and generosity.

And the author of I Peter reminded the early church communities “Be hospitable to one another without complaining.” (4:9)

God is still speaking a message of extravagant welcome and hospitality. The congregational church is learning what it means to welcome a whole new world of spiritual seekers responding to The Stillspeaking Initiative. Congregations and individuals that do so see those they welcome not as visitors but as guests, welcomed guests who bear God’s presence. Congregations prepare to welcome guests who might not be familiar with being in church, people who might have been alienated from the church, people who might not expect to be welcomed by the church. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2)

In order to prepare to share the stillspeaking God’s extravagant welcome and hospitality, individuals and congregations should ask:

How and when do I feel welcomed?

How did I welcome a guest recently in church?

Do I and my congregation welcome strangers as I like to be welcomed?

What gifts of hospitality do I and my congregation have to share?

“Whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” - John 13:20

Some of the favorite passages:

Exodus 20: 1-17 The Ten Commandments

Psalm 23 "The Lord is my Shepherd"

Psalm 46 "God is our refuge and strength"

Psalm 121 "I lift up my eyes to the hills"

Isaiah 53 "Surely He has borne our grief's"

Matthew 5-7 The Sermon on the Mount

John 14 "Do not let your hearts be troubled"

I Corinthians 13 The chapter on love

Romans 12 "I appeal to you, therefore, brothers
and sisters, by the mercies of God."

The following passages may help you:

In time of trouble Psalm 42:5

When you’ve done something wrong Isaiah 55:7, I John 1:8-9

When someone you love has died John 11:25-26, John 12:1-2

When you are tempted Hebrews 4:15-16, James 1:12-15

When you have an “enemy” Matthew 5:43-46, Matthew 18:21-22

When you are very thankful and happy Psalm 103:1-2, Psalm 150

When you’re not sure of the right way Micah 6:8, Matthew 25:31-46

God’s phone number (JERE 333) Jeremiah 33:3

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