In the first chapter of Bishop Robert Schnase book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, he lays out the first practice – Radical Hospitality. He says, “Christian hospitality refers to the active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for strangers so that they find a spiritual home and discover for them-selves the unending richness of life in Christ. It describes a genuine love for others who are not yet a part of the faith community, an outward focus, a reaching out to those not yet known, a love that motivates church members to openness and adaptability, a willingness to change behaviors in order to    accommodate the needs and receive the talents of newcomers.”

For the past two months the church council has been talking about hospitality. How can we express radical hospitality to both those who are guests with us on Sunday morning, and are on our campus during the week. (Did you know that these are some of the many groups that meet at the church during the week? AA Do It Sober, Boy Scouts, Pre-school, Women’s Step, Saddleback College Emeritus classes.)

In an effort to enhance our Sunday morning hospitality, Brenda and I will be working with our existing greeters and ushers and will be putting together a team that will be exploring how we can reach out to the other groups that use our campus during the week.

While we are working with these groups, providing hospitality is the work of everyone in the congregation. We will be sharing ways in which you can extend radical hospitality.

See you in church,

Doug