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?

 What difference does it make when we expand the focus in our ministries from simply “faithfulness” to also intentional “fruitfulness”?

There is no question that many of our local churches are in difficult waters, yet some continue to find ways to thrive in the midst of the challenges.  They exhibit the generative capacity of God With Us, adapting as necessary to the changing waters, rather than simply dropping anchor to ride out the storm.

What if you and your church offered vocabularies of hope in difficult times?  How might it change life?