Hospitality

[Paidiske]

Not sure where the best forum is for this discussion, but I'll try here.

I was reading this article: https://www.missioalliance.org/confessions-female-preacher/ and this quote stood out to me:


“Although we often think of hospitality as a tame and pleasant practice, Christian hospitality has always had a subversive countercultural dimension. ‘Hospitality is resistance.’ Especially when the larger society disregards or dishonours certain persons, small acts of respect and welcome are potent far beyond themselves. They point to a different system of values and an alternate model of relationships”

Hospitality is resistance; that really is so true. Resistance to a world of sin, of a thousand death-dealing realities, to so much human disfigurement.

And yet I don't know that our churches talk about hospitality enough; value hospitality enough.

What do you think?

 

[Anguspure]

Not sure where the best forum is for this discussion, but I'll try here.

I was reading this article: https://www.missioalliance.org/confessions-female-preacher/ and this quote stood out to me:


“Although we often think of hospitality as a tame and pleasant practice, Christian hospitality has always had a subversive countercultural dimension. ‘Hospitality is resistance.’ Especially when the larger society disregards or dishonours certain persons, small acts of respect and welcome are potent far beyond themselves. They point to a different system of values and an alternate model of relationships”

Hospitality is resistance; that really is so true. Resistance to a world of sin, of a thousand death-dealing realities, to so much human disfigurement.

And yet I don't know that our churches talk about hospitality enough; value hospitality enough.

What do you think?

I understand that the origin of the hotel and restaurant trade was in Christian hospitality extended to travelling pilgrims and the like.

Obviously it had been turned into a profit making industry but the need for simple Christian hospitality is still huge in society and as you say the subversive element is significant.

I have a friend who sees this as his gifting and has created a large entertainment/bbq area in his home precisely for the purpose.

 

[dayhiker]

I really like the idea this preacher is putting forth.
I've been coming at the same thing from trying to be a friend with each person I meet with the intent that they receive something from me and I learn something from them about life. I like marring the idea of friendship with hospitality. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Anto9us]

Good Samaritan exhibited hospitality -- priest and Levite did not, passed by injured man on the road.

 

[FireDragon76]

Not sure where the best forum is for this discussion, but I'll try here.

I was reading this article: https://www.missioalliance.org/confessions-female-preacher/ and this quote stood out to me:


“Although we often think of hospitality as a tame and pleasant practice, Christian hospitality has always had a subversive countercultural dimension. ‘Hospitality is resistance.’ Especially when the larger society disregards or dishonours certain persons, small acts of respect and welcome are potent far beyond themselves. They point to a different system of values and an alternate model of relationships”

Hospitality is resistance; that really is so true. Resistance to a world of sin, of a thousand death-dealing realities, to so much human disfigurement.

And yet I don't know that our churches talk about hospitality enough; value hospitality enough.

What do you think?

Christians aren't necessarily good at demonstrating hospitality. A sense of " religious correctness" and legalism often hurts that.

 

[Tigger45]

Seems to me the article is alluding to ‘safe haven or to provide sanctuary’ as an element of hospitality. Am I wrong? Does this help?

 

[Anto9us]

Welcome, hospitality, acceptance -- all of these are blended in the article.
Hospitality to me is more in the sense of giving someone a place to stay.

Welcome and acceptance of female preachers -- I don't know how that relates to hospitality. My Methodist Church has had a female pastor for over three years. I think there is widespread acceptance because appointments are year by year.

 

[Paidiske]

I had to go back and reread the article, because I'd forgotten the details since I posted it. I think I posted it wanting to talk about issues of hospitality, welcome, inclusion more broadly than just women in ministry, although that's a live issue too.

I had a strange experience on Monday. I went to an Anglican convent not far from where I live, where I preside at the Eucharist once a month. I've been an associate of the community since long before I was ordained, and I have treasured praying with the sisters, and their unfailing support of me, over those years.

And as I was preparing to take the service, one of the sisters told me they had a visitor today, a young man from a parish well-known for its opposition to the ordination of women. And I paused, sort of tangled up with my alb half-on, and without even thinking asked, "Am I going to be okay?"

On reflection I don't know what I meant by it. Did I mean, "Is he going to storm out when I walk in?" Or, "Is this going to be terribly uncomfortable for everyone?" Or even, "Am I going to be mentally off-balance because I know I'm resented?" I'm not even sure.

But I think as long as people are in a place where before they can walk into our spaces and gatherings, they have to pause and address that unconscious anxiety of "Am I going to be okay?" We still have work to do.

 

[HardHead]

to so much human disfigurement.

Your wording is exactly right. A denial of hospitality is dehumanizing to both sides of the denial. This disfigures the human image of God and injures and damages it. We are not complete human creatures without this image intact in us.

See Genesis 18:1–8. Hospitality brings good things. Open yourself and let the Spirit dwell in you. This requires trust and faith.

The article also says: "The kind of welcome I am talking about here requires men and women to work together.".

A vibrant living Christianity is not possible without this, at least in my view. How does one imagine fidelity to God without this complementary work? This is perhaps one of the main sources of synergy (God working with us) for Christians. We just have to be open and to let it happen.