Perspectives On Hope: “Radical” rather than “Polite” — New Images of Hospitality!

“And she (Mary) gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger; because there was no place for them in the inn.”  Luke 2:7, NRSV

“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. ... “ John 1:14, The Message, translation by Eugene H. Peterson

 

This is that nostalgic time of year when we polish off images of “making room at the inn”, telling ourselves and our churches that we will strive to be more open when Jesus comes our way.  We strive to be “hospitable” to strangers that come to our churches as well as tolerant of those “strange” relatives that come to our homes.  However, is it possible that we are confusing hospitality with tolerable politeness?

 

In mid-November of 2007, 875 leaders gathered from across United Methodism at an Extended Cabinet Convocation.  Bishops, District Superintendents, Directors of Connectional Ministries, Treasurers, Conference Lay Leaders and the Executive leaders of our 13 General Agencies all gathered to explore the renewal and future of our denomination.  We spent time in preparation through reading and prayer, then worship, presentations and small group dialogues for four days.  As part of this we examined what is making The United Methodist Church grow in some parts of the world (such as several places in Africa and the Philippines) while decline continues in others.  The two identified central factors that impact growth the most are:

 

1. creating a culture and practice of radical hospitality!

2. dynamic worship and passionate spirituality!

 

(Yes, you recognize those factors from Bishop Schnase’s book on the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.)  One of the presenters made a challenging distinction between “Radical hospitality” and simply a “hospitality of politeness”.  He suggested that many, if not most, of our U.S. United Methodists would call their church friendly, but that it is the hospitality of politeness.  In other words, you are welcome as long as you sit quietly (and not in my pew).  Radical hospitality, on the other hand, lets you sit wherever you want.  The presenter even suggested that radical hospitality is like letting someone visit your home, sit on your sofa, and change the television channel you were just watching!

 

Try that one in your local church!  The scriptures from this Advent season, leading into Christmastide, are constant reminders of God seeking to create a place within us and within the world so that God’s own radical hospitality might transform us, and through us transform the world.  How will you as an individual Christian disciple, and how will your local church welcome the Christ, the loving Jesus, into your practices, patterns and programs this holy season?

 

Thankfully many of you have discovered and determined that the CHREASTER season is actually the best opportunity you may have to connect people who are searching.  Oh, you wonder what CHREASTER means?  My experience in 30 years of ministry is that people are particularly spiritually hungry during Christmas and Easter, if they have had any contact with the Christian faith during their life journey.  Christmas as a secular celebration also awakens a somewhat universal desire for relationships, hope and joy.  Are those attributes you and your local church value and can offer?  Are you able to shape your worship and program opportunities to not only feed yourselves, but to invite, welcome and be grace to those on a journey?  How will people know that the Incarnate love of God has “moved into the neighborhood”?

 

By the way, the very week I returned from the gathering referred to in the opening paragraphs, Ruth and I helped our oldest son and daughter-in-law move back home for a few months while our son was pursuing training for a new career.  Interestingly, the very first night they moved in, they came into our living room, sat on the sofa with us, and asked “Is it alright if you guys watch what we want to watch on TV tonight?”  The gospel sure does come close sometimes!

 

Have a blessed Advent journey!

Jerome (Jerry) DeVine

Director of Connectional Ministries

Please e-mail your thoughts and reflections to me at jdevine@detroitconference.org

By: Rev. Dr. Jerome (Jerry) DeVine On 12/9/2009
Topics: Leadership, Local Church Concerns, Radical Hospitality