They are everywhere… cafés; restaurants; Uber Eats deliveries; takeaways; fast food chains; coffee machines in the local supermarket and garage, and pop up coffee stations. They are there because hospitality is very big business with over 70,000 jobs dependent on it here.
Sadly, however, many businesses are under serious and even terminal strain – as seen in recent weeks by the announcements of closure because of rising costs.
Yet a personal level, hospitality is a God given privilege, and one that I sense is under serious threat. I want to make an unambiguous plea for us to recover and practice the Bible teaches on ‘hospitality’ as a normal part of living for Christ. There is an increasing need in our highly individualistic society to offer hospitality to young families, singles, widows and widowers, the lonely, the visitor, the distressed, the energetic… whoever and in whatever circumstances they find themselves.
I do so for two reasons. Firstly, it is explicitly part of the Bible’s pattern and guidance for Christian living. ‘Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality’. (Romans 12.13) ‘Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling’. (1 Peter 4.9)
The call to hospitality also extends to those outside of the church: Galatians 6.9 tells us ‘… as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…’ Also, in a fascinating passage in Luke 7, Simon the Pharisee appears to have held an ‘open house’, since the woman who anointed Jesus was simply accepted as someone circulating among the guests.
Secondly, some of the circumstances in the New Testament are clearly just as real today as they were then. For example, the increasing material need, shown today by the ongoing and rapid rise in the use of food banks, including by those who are in work. Add the loneliness, isolation, pressure and distress that afflict so many ‘ordinary’ people, and it is abundantly clear that hospitality, decent conversation, a listening ear and companionship go together and that there is a wonderful ministry of hospitality calling out to us all the time.
It is also important to see hospitality not as a burden, but as a joy. It is a real work of grace, since it is a response to the generosity and grace of God in salvation. It is no accident that the Easter story starts with Jesus sharing a meal with his disciples (Luke 14).
Of course, none of us can do everything for everyone who could be blessed by hospitality. Hospitality can, and should, come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, to encourage everyone to practice it! Some of us like to cook meals at home (I do). Others are excellent at inviting friends to coffee in our homes or a local café. Some have a particular ministry of preparing meals for those in need or under pressure (for whatever reason), and taking it round to them.
And there are new and creative ways to bless others with good food. If we are on our travels, what about contacting some folks who live around there, and suggesting you meet for coffee and a catch-up chat?
I am of course very aware that the cost-of-living crisis is affecting us all to a greater or lesser extent. Yet we are still unambiguously called by Jesus to take the initiative and love our neighbours as a very practical out-working of our love and commitment to him. Simply looking after ourselves is not an option for God’s people. It never has been, for the Bible is very clear that caring for those outside our own circles is crucially important. Indeed, it will count not just now, but at the final judgement (Matthew 25.31-46).
I am increasingly troubled that the importance of warm supportive relationships is constantly being eroded, even in churches. Meeting on Zoom has not been a substitute for proper fellowship. It really is time to put the sharing of food back on the menu of support and fellowship.
So – anyone for coffee? And if you want to take me up on it – please do. You can respond to this blog…see below. I will buy.
Very Rev Dr Norman Hamilton is a retired Presbyterian minister, former Moderator of the General Assembly, and Chair of Contemporary Christianity.
Please note that the statements and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Contemporary Christianity.
Thanks Norman. So important. I’d love to have a coffee and catch-up… but you’re in Belfast and I’m in Manchester. Maybe next time one of us is travelling. Hope you’re well.
Good evening Paul! Long time no see!
Can we purposefully try to make that coffee / lunch happen next time we are on our travels. Neither my email nor phone number has changed – so might we be able to get in touch fairly soon?
Blessings in abundance!
A friend in her seventies told me the following story last week. Waiting for a bus she spotted someone she had seen a few times in her church recently and started a conversation. This woman said she had recently moved back to the area in retirement because she had inherited a home but found she no longer knew anyone in the area. Although she has no faith in God, in desperation she started attending the church. The congregation had been very welcoming at first and invited her to many events and meetings but when she tried to invite people back to visit her or do things with her the church members were always too busy and declined. They had no space for reciprocal friendship in their lives so she had given up the attempt to make friends with Christians. My friend has now taken up the challenge.
Good evening Vera! Also long time no see!
Your comment mirrors that of Jennifer below. This is clearly a big big issue. Is there something really positive that we can do about this ‘distancing’… ?
Are you ever over in this part of the world… coffee / lunch perhaps here at our home?
Blessings
Norman is spot on. Like Vera, I have experienced/observed similar behaviour. I was reared in a family which readily showed hospitality to friend and stranger including those in need and distress. I have also experienced warm hospitality and made lasting friendships from living within and outside UK. Despite reputation of Irish friendliness I have found it in recent years and generally quite superficial. Those who receive don’t often give. However because I enjoy offering the simplest hospitality and believe it is one of the actions ‘the Lord requires of’ me I will persist as long as I am able.
Covid also seems to have become an excuse?
Thanks Jennifer… are we touching on something rather deep here?
I’m offering coffee for a decent chat about this!
Blessings
Norman
Hospitality is a gift and a blessing – when we give it as a gift it becomes a blessing and when we receive it, it is also a blessing. Hospitality is about saying that the other person is important and deserves my time and my efforts
Thanks Sarah… spot on if I may say so… which is why its demise impoverishes us all… Norman
Count me in.
Coffee or lunch Nigel?
Thanks for this, Norman.
Thanks also to Vera for reminding us that receiving hospitality can be as important as giving it!
A couple of quick anecdotes about hospitality in worship. Some churches are warm, open and welcoming, while others are closed. A few years ago my teenage daughter and I visited a ‘new’ church and went in separately. Her description of the welcome she received was, ‘It was like seeing the group of cool girls at school and knowing that you weren’t part of it.’
In another church where I was the visiting preacher and my daughter was along for the ride, a family with teenage girls moved to sit with my daughter and the girls and their friends asked my permission to take her for coffee after the service.
I was at a wedding recently which was as clearly and wholeheartedly Christian as any I’ve ever been to, yet many folk afterwards said how welcoming it was. It was a wonderful contrast to the stage managed monstrosities that many contemporary weddings have become.
Hospitable worship sacrifices nothing of the Gospel but expresses the Gospel in ways that are felt and experienced by strangers.
Thanks Drew… yes I get your experiences… have had both of them myself… and the congregation of which my wife and I are members do excel at the welcome ministry… which is arguably the key reason we have so happily settled there… and the congregation continues to grow…