The Practice of Radical Hospitality
“Christian hospitality refers to the active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ.”
“It describes … a love that motivates church members to openness and adaptability, willingness to change behaviors in order to accommodate the needs and receive the talents of newcomers.” ( Pg 11)
“Radical means "drastically different from the ordinary practice, outside the normal," and so it provokes practices that exceed expectations, that go the second mile, that take welcoming the stranger to the max. “ (p.21)
As a church we pride ourselves on being friendly and welcoming, but what does that really mean in the context of the world we live in today?
Are we only welcoming to those who are like us or do we earnestly seek out the stranger who is different?
Are we willing to make the changes that might be necessary in order to truly “accommodate” the needs of others?
What would we look like if we were willing to be truly radical in our hospitality? What actions would we take?
In the end the question becomes are we truly willing to do all that we can to make disciples in the name of Christ? So tell me – what are you willing to do?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Ok, Catch up time!
The last two months have been a bit of a whirlwind. Between family, church and other things, my blogging has been put on hold. So its time to play catch up and get back on track. Later today I will post the first part of the Five Practices of a Fruitful Congregation thoughts for our church, but its off to the office for now!
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
by Bishop Robert Schnase of the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church.
• Radical Hospitality
• Passionate Worship
• Intentional Faith Development
• Risk-Taking Mission and Service
• Extravagant Generosity
Bishop Schnase has written an incredible book to help the church in this modern era as we strive to define who and what we are in the 21st century.
“Each of the practices, Schnase said, is designed to stretch everyone’s imagination and focus them on ministry in Jesus’ mode.”
“These words capture the core process by which God uses congregations to make disciples - congregations offer the gracious invitation, welcome, and hospitality of Christ so that people experience a sense of belonging; God shapes souls and changes minds through worship, creating a desire to grow closer to Christ; God's Spirit nurtures people and matures faith through learning in community; with increased spiritual maturity, people discern God's call to help others through mission and service; and God inspires people to give generously of themselves so that others can receive the grace they have known. (p.7)”
Over the next few weeks we will look at each practice in greater depth. I believe that as we make these practices more a part of our lives our faith will deepen and the church will be blessed.
by Bishop Robert Schnase of the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church.
• Radical Hospitality
• Passionate Worship
• Intentional Faith Development
• Risk-Taking Mission and Service
• Extravagant Generosity
Bishop Schnase has written an incredible book to help the church in this modern era as we strive to define who and what we are in the 21st century.
“Each of the practices, Schnase said, is designed to stretch everyone’s imagination and focus them on ministry in Jesus’ mode.”
“These words capture the core process by which God uses congregations to make disciples - congregations offer the gracious invitation, welcome, and hospitality of Christ so that people experience a sense of belonging; God shapes souls and changes minds through worship, creating a desire to grow closer to Christ; God's Spirit nurtures people and matures faith through learning in community; with increased spiritual maturity, people discern God's call to help others through mission and service; and God inspires people to give generously of themselves so that others can receive the grace they have known. (p.7)”
Over the next few weeks we will look at each practice in greater depth. I believe that as we make these practices more a part of our lives our faith will deepen and the church will be blessed.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sometime You Just need a Good Laugh
Church Bulletin Bloopers
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.
Evening massage - 6 p.m.
The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.
The audience is asked to remain seated until the end of the recession.
Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Please use the back door.
Ushers will eat latecomers.
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to the delight of the audience.
The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy."
During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.
Due to the Rector's illness, Wednesday's healing services will be discontinued until further notice.
Stewardship Offertory: "Jesus Paid It All"
The music for today's service was all composed by George Friedrich Handel in celebration of the 300th anniversary of his birth.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the church basement on Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
The concert held in Fellowship Hall was a great success. Special thanks are due to the minister's daughter, who labored the whole evening at the piano, which as usual fell upon her.
22 members were present at the church meeting held at the home of Mrs. Marsha Crutchfield last evening. Mrs. Crutchfield and Mrs. Rankin sang a duet, The Lord Knows Why.
A song fest was hell at the Methodist church Wednesday.
On a church bulletin during the minister's illness: GOD IS GOOD Dr. Hargreaves is better.
Potluck supper: prayer and medication to follow.
Don't let worry kill you off - let the church help.
The 1997 Spring Council Retreat will be hell May 10 and 11.
Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to church secretary.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Let Us Rejoice
O Come, All Ye Faithful' O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to
It the midst of all that is happening this year, let us not forget that there is still a reason to rejoice: the birth of Christ our lord! Sometimes it is possible to lose sight of that simple fact. The world seems to grow busier with each passing day and it becomes harder for us to simply slow down and rejoice in the season.
Monday, December 8, 2008
What a difference three weeks make!
Three weeks ago today I was looking at myself in the mirror trying to figure out why I looked so funny. Ok, can the laughter you know what I meant. My face was drooping, my eye wasn’t working right and my smile was no where to be seen.
It truly is nothing short of a miracle that medication, rest and a lot of prayers have got me back on my feet in such a short time. I know that I need to be careful and not rush things, but I am so grateful for the miracle that God has done that I just can’t say thank you enough.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support!
It truly is nothing short of a miracle that medication, rest and a lot of prayers have got me back on my feet in such a short time. I know that I need to be careful and not rush things, but I am so grateful for the miracle that God has done that I just can’t say thank you enough.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
What’s up With Pastor Vic?
The story begins on Sunday. I noticed that my tongue felt a little “strange” and that things did not taste like they normally do. I Had bit my lip that morning on the right side an just chalked it up to that.
Monday I felt as if a few different times during the day I was slurring my words and speaking differently. I asked a few people but they said I sound ok. I had a bit of a headache and my tongue still felt weird, but I went to bed not really thinking too much about it.
Tuesday morning got up an got ready for the day. Went downstairs to eat breakfast. I quickly realized my mouth and tongue were not working the way they should. I felt a little like a two year old learning to eat. I went to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror talking to my self and smiling to see if I could notice a difference. There was – drop to the right side, my eye was a little different and my lips were pulling to the left.
So off the ER we went. I was admitted and stayed there until about 230 on Wednesday. The final diagnose was Bell’s Palsy.
What caused it? Well the Neurologist said it was a “Idiopathic” disease which mean we know what the problem is but we have no idea what causes it.
Currently they have me on Valtrex ( an anti viral) and Prednisone ( a steroid). I need I drop s in the right eye due to in not blinking correctly. They also told me I need to rest and not stress out. I have a mild facial droop and when I talk for too long or get agitated I can feel the lips on my right side tightening. I can’t whistle and eating right now is different have to be more aware of what I am doing and how I am swallowing.
I seem to have a mild from currently as compared to what many other go through.
Currently the plan is for me to be out of the pulpit for the next two Sundays and I am working on getting coverage for eth next for emergencies. The recovery period varies form person to person. For some its days, other weeks, most about 4-6 months. Some however do have long last effects.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
If you want to know more I have included a web link to the Mayo Clinic or you can just look up Bell’s Palsy.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bells-palsy/DS00168
Monday I felt as if a few different times during the day I was slurring my words and speaking differently. I asked a few people but they said I sound ok. I had a bit of a headache and my tongue still felt weird, but I went to bed not really thinking too much about it.
Tuesday morning got up an got ready for the day. Went downstairs to eat breakfast. I quickly realized my mouth and tongue were not working the way they should. I felt a little like a two year old learning to eat. I went to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror talking to my self and smiling to see if I could notice a difference. There was – drop to the right side, my eye was a little different and my lips were pulling to the left.
So off the ER we went. I was admitted and stayed there until about 230 on Wednesday. The final diagnose was Bell’s Palsy.
What caused it? Well the Neurologist said it was a “Idiopathic” disease which mean we know what the problem is but we have no idea what causes it.
Currently they have me on Valtrex ( an anti viral) and Prednisone ( a steroid). I need I drop s in the right eye due to in not blinking correctly. They also told me I need to rest and not stress out. I have a mild facial droop and when I talk for too long or get agitated I can feel the lips on my right side tightening. I can’t whistle and eating right now is different have to be more aware of what I am doing and how I am swallowing.
I seem to have a mild from currently as compared to what many other go through.
Currently the plan is for me to be out of the pulpit for the next two Sundays and I am working on getting coverage for eth next for emergencies. The recovery period varies form person to person. For some its days, other weeks, most about 4-6 months. Some however do have long last effects.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
If you want to know more I have included a web link to the Mayo Clinic or you can just look up Bell’s Palsy.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bells-palsy/DS00168
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