The Gift of Hospitality: Christian Leaders Take Flight with God

By Minister Carol Bates

I have often pondered, Why are so many Christian leaders allowed to get away with the things they do in church that outwardly hurt others and maintain their status in the church because of talents they have? Only God knows.

However, as we work with these leaders, we must be reminded for whom we work (Col. 3:23). Our work is to glorify the Lord and not man. We cannot stay where we are and go with God (experiencing God).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796028300

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 by Minister Carol Bates.

ISBN:                  Softcover                        978-1-7960-2827-0

                            eBook                             978-1-7960-2830-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 04/27/2019

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CONTENTS

Preface (Foreword)(?)

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

PREFACE (FOREWORD)(?)

There has always been a true elite of God’s leaders. They are the meek who inherit the earth (Matthews 5:5). They weep and pray in secret, and defy earth and hell in public. They tremble when faced with danger, but die in their tracks sooner than turn back. They are like a shepherd defending his sheep or a mother protecting her young. They sacrifice without grumbling, give without calculating, suffer without groaning. To those in their charge they say, we live well if we do well. Their price is above riches. They are the salt of the earth. For the cause of the kingdom, we need more of them.

Relationships In The Church From The Front Door To The Back Door, You are your brother’s/sister’s keeper

INTRODUCTION

The Best of You

You are the salt of the earth; if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16

This book is designed to strengthen a leader’s personal development and their ability to impact the world around them. To give of themselves and serve.

When I began writing this book, there were three characteristics that I wanted it to have. First, I wanted it to be clear and understandable, Habakkuk 2:2. Second, I wanted it to emphasize Christ-likeness, the importance of Christian service and whom Christians serve, Ephesians 6:5-9. Third, I wanted the book to establish Godly relationships among Christians. Love one another, (John 15:12, Romans 13:8).

As you give leadership in your church, does love and faith direct your path? (1 Timothy 1:5)

Clear and Understandable

Because of my extensive background as a fight Attendant instructor and supervisor, I have traveled extensively and trained hundreds of people throughout the United States and other corners of the world in Europe, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean teaching customer service to people from various economic and cultural backgrounds.

I have become cognizant of how people treat and react to each other, Christians and non-Christians alike. Here in the United States where Christianity is a freedom, many Christians in this country take this freedom for granted as well as their Christian walk. Also how Christians treat each other as though they have one foot on the cross and the other still in the world. What I have seen and experienced grieves me. I’ve often wondered how Christians can be so negative, expressing denial or disapproval, being rude and appear to be miserable with themselves and with each other. What is in their hearts? (Proverbs 4:23).

I call this worldliness. Worldliness is having the same perception and priorities as those who are of the world but who do not know God or obey Him.

Worldliness is a permeating perspective. The world’s perspective is, me, myself and I. If eternity does not permeate out here and now, we, as Christians are living exactly like the world. Our perspective is all wrong.

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God, the Father is this…keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Christian Service and whom Christians Serve

There are many examples that misery loves company even with Christians, such