Just Imagine: The Joy of God’s Hospitality Overflowing with Loving Relationships

By Dianne B. Salter

In our everyday lives, we are often expected to offer hospitality to others we meet, yet for Christians and church leaders, hospitality can mean so much more. What is hospitality in the spiritual sense? Why do we extend God’s hospitality? Who is called to offer this hospitality? And how do we live out God’s hospitality?

Just Imagine: The Joy of God’s Hospitality Overflowing with Loving Relationships answers these questions and more about Christian hospitality. Author Dianne B. Salter explains how this is not a program; it is a Christian lifestyle, especially in the church, the body of Christ. God’s hospitality must be supported and promoted by the pastor and by the church governing group. But it will be effective only if the people in the pews take leadership, advocate for it, and sincerely practice this new lifestyle.

Based on scriptural directives, Just Imagine advocates friendship evangelism, building relationships, and creating ministries for those not currently a part of the church. All chapters end with Hospitality Challenges that help individuals and the church to just imagine what they might become if they truly practiced God’s hospitality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781973660552

Dianne B. Salter

Dianne B. Salter was raised by a welcoming Christian family, and a faith-filled church nurtured Dianne by providing her with many experiences of God’s love. For twenty years she joyfully directed children, youth, and adults within the church to discover that love. She came to realize that God longed to be in relationship with those outside the church—especially the poor, the unchurched, ethnic groups, young adults, and many who had dropped out. As an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church, Dianne helps churches across denominations realign their vision and develop a hospitality that flows through all a church does. Ministry with the poor is near to her heart and was the focus of her doctor of ministry studies at Wesley Theological Seminary.

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Copyright © 2019 Dianne B. Salter.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-6056-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-6055-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019904635

WestBow Press rev. date: 7/30/2019

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Used by Permission HCSB © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 Holman Bible Publishers. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture taken from the Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

To the memory of my parents,

Paul and Ruby Byers

Paul welcomed everyone; for him, no one was a stranger.

Ruby hosted all; for her, each was an honored guest.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Part I    What Is God’s Hospitality?

Chapter 1     Living a Life of Love: Helping Hearts Come Home

Chapter 2     Timeless: God, Love, Home, Welcome

Chapter 3     God’s Royal Decree: We Are to Extend God’s Hospitality

Part II    Why Do We Extend God’s Hospitality?

Chapter 4     Learning and Teaching the Heart of God: From Generation to Generation

Chapter 5     Practicing Active Love: Every Christian Is a Minister

Part III    Who Is Called to Extend God’s Hospitality?

Chapter 6     What’s a Church to Do? Overflow with Love, Hope, and Power

Chapter 7     Let a Team Begin: Reflecting God’s Heart

Just Imagine

Chapter 8     Expectations of Hospitality Ministers: Equipping Specialists

Part IV    How Are We to Live Out God’s Hospitality?

Chapter 9     God’s Invitation Is to All: So We Are to Invite

Chapter 10   Sharing Our Faith with a World That Needs Good News

Chapter 11   The Least and the Lost Are Loved by God, So We Convey God’s Love for Them

Afterword

Hospitality Quotient

Acknowledgments

Appendices

Endnotes

Author Biography

INTRODUCTION

Let’s Start at the Very Beginning

God … then radiant light, breathtaking beauty, perfect paradise: welcoming, overflowing, fervent love to humans created in the very image of God.

Then, paradise lost … but wait—not all is lost. God’s steadfast love endures forever.

Fast-forward through the ages.

God becomes flesh and dwells among us—Jesus—an invitation to all!

Arms outstretched on the cross, expressing lavish love for every person ever created.

And on the ground, room—infinite room—at the foot of the cross for everyone.

Ultimate, forgiving love: amazingly unconditional,

Offering acceptance into the eternal family of God.

A Call to Love

The story above of a creative and prevailing love is my story of being enfolded in God’s relentless, divine love. My parents lived God’s love in our home and church. Such love was multiplied hundreds of times through the nurture of extended family, our church family, and other Christian relationships in my path. God’s presence was with me. Step by step, his call led me. Following Jesus is a life-changing action story.

The love Jesus selflessly offers me, I am to imitate to others, so they too might experience ultimate, forgiving love. Then they will be urged to embrace others with that love; Jesus’ love is never meant to be just received. A scene from a movie I viewed years ago at a youth gathering has etched that truth upon my mind.

In the movie, a stylish lady is making her way to an event at church. Opening the gate of the fence that protects the building, she seems more than oblivious to the onlookers from the neighborhood. Deliberately, she closes the gate and continues on, failing to acknowledge any of the neighbors. The children peer through the fence, while the adults watch and walk away. The narrator of the movie abruptly asks, Is this the church of Jesus Christ?

Whatever her reason, the lady did not reflect love; Jesus’ love is always meant to be passed along.

That night God planted a seed in my heart and mind, a subtle but persistent desire to be a partner in his plan for the church of Jesus Christ—connecting with, welcoming, and loving others into his kingdom.

Recognizing Barriers

How does one help a culture see the grand scope of God’s hospitality—the essence of the gospel? How could I help those of us already in the church to be more intentional with active, welcoming acceptance, expressing God’s love for each person and inviting them into the family of God?

In visiting various churches and interviewing members, problems became evident. There were often subtle and initially unseen barriers. More visible were cavalier attitudes and behaviors unbecoming of children of God anywhere but certainly in God’s house. Some churches were apathetic toward newcomers; others had isolated themselves from people who were different. To the extreme was an ambiance that suggested closing—even locking—gates, hearts.

Practices of loving outreach and invitation often seemed nonexistent. There appeared to be little or no concern for folks without faith or outside the walls of the church. Vital questions—Isn’t God’s love for everyone? and How is that love being offered?—were not answered well.

Further light was shed on these barriers during an interview with Eric, a student in high school. I asked if he felt his church was hospitable. He paused for a moment and then replied, "I would have to say no because I know I’m not hospitable." With wisdom beyond his years, he acknowledged his lack of hospitality and concluded that anyone who encountered him would not sense God’s loving welcome.

Pursuing God’s Purpose

To this day, I value Eric’s frank admission. It represents the crux of the problem this book addresses, and hopefully will inspire solutions. I have tried to make God’s vision of love and hospitality my vision; I pray you will too. The book is written in four parts, with hope that you will find spiritual growth somewhere along the spectrum of God’s hospitality.

Because you have begun reading this book, I believe God is placing in your heart and mind a desire to help enact his plan of welcoming and loving others into the kingdom—and by way of your church.

We can and must navigate barriers, discomforts, and even fears of opening our lives and churches to strangers. It often requires seemingly countless course corrections, but we know our compass is the Word of God. So as you sail this sea of discipleship, be assured the wind of the Spirit will be at your back. Sail on!

PART I

What Is God’s Hospitality?

It’s about Relationships

CHAPTER 1

Living a Life of Love: Helping Hearts Come Home

Imitate God … because you are his dear children.

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.

He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us,

A pleasing aroma to God.

—Ephesians 5:1–2 (NLT)

Everybody’s home, Ruby thought as she smiled and locked the door. She was often heard to say, There is no better feeling than knowing all your family is home. Her life was based on the assertion that in all our goings and comings, home is where hearts connect.

Ruby worked hard to make a house a home. She was a mother hen who gathered her chicks faithfully and protectively under her wing. She tirelessly provided for their needs, exemplifying tangible love.

In Jesus’ practical teaching, he tells a story pointedly relating to such love. He refers to a mother hen securing her chicks because she loves them more than her own comfort and safety—even her life.

That was Ruby, but her love and care went beyond the immediate family. A lifestyle of kindness and hospitality touched many lives. Extended family, friends, and others who needed encouragement or a place to connect were often in her home. A beloved, widowed sister and her young son were always welcome. A Jewish couple who had lost their apartment needed a place to live, so she rented the extra bedroom at a very low rate, preserving their dignity.

The Hobo Network knew Ruby’s house. Homeless men would jump on and off the train as it was passing through town. When one came to her back door, she extended hospitality by offering uplifting words, good food, and a place on the porch to sit and eat. Often children—some from the Children’s Home and some who were relatives needing extra TLC—joined the family on weekends and for holiday celebrations. Those who stayed the night into Sunday morning understood that everyone in the house would attend church.

Ruby’s husband, Paul, was a wonderful, hardworking provider. While never very helpful with indoor chores, he furnished everything needed to make their home a place of welcome and warmth. Many times, without notice, he invited people home. Impromptu gatherings of acquaintances or business friends often occurred at the kitchen table. Ruby amiably greeted these guests and gladly prepared tasty meals.

Paul enjoyed all types of people, but he had a special place in his heart for the underdog. Some who needed a job, even if their background wasn’t great, were hired to work in his small business. They were often given second and third chances to do better. Paul’s invitation to talk through some things was not unusual. More than one benefited from his understanding and compassion.

Regardless of anyone’s faith, or lack thereof, Ruby and Paul treated all graciously. Time and time again, recipients of their hospitality commented that the hosts were living their Christianity. People would even ask them about their faith, opening marvelous moments for simple faith sharing.

In church, a priority was helping people feel included and at home. Creating lovely receptions and fellowship times was Ruby’s gift. Perhaps unaware that throughout scripture, food was a unifying expression of welcome, a common denominator, she believed it was a genuine way to relate to others. When food was served and shared in love, it had power to bond. Walking through the congregation and shaking hands with everyone was Paul’s love; it was his way to connect. Newcomers and those who had been away for a while were given special attention. Together, Ruby and Paul prepared the elements and organized the serving of Holy Communion. This sacred task and all their work for the church afforded them many opportunities to invite, include, and help people feel at home—now in God’s house.

Had you asked this couple why they so actively loved others and sacrificed much, they very likely would have said, That’s what Christians are to do.

Being in agreement, we as God’s children are to live lives reflecting that conviction. We are to imitate God, including loving as God loves. Our model is Christ, who loves each one of us and gave himself for us. Like a beautiful, fragrant flower, we are to attract folks and give off the aroma of the love of Christ. People should be able to detect our scent and gently inhale God’s love that transforms human behavior, perhaps even belief. This is our purpose!

Ruby and Paul were no more perfect than anyone else. But in their faith journeys, they tried to be true to the scriptures. The foundation of their beliefs was a Savior who loves and forgives. Their grateful response was to live lives of love by sharing their time, their possessions, and their faith.

Good News for All the People

Now, as then, our churches are made of people like Paul and Ruby—imperfect people. Thus, every church is imperfect. Yet since creation began, the drumbeat of God’s love has resounded. Despite human failings, the psalmist was aware of this cadence when he sang, God’s steadfast love endures forever … God’s steadfast love endures forever, measure after measure after measure (Psalm 136 CEV).

Ever since Adam and Eve fell out of step with God, creation has been broken. However, God’s intent has always been that his covenant people bring the salvation story to this sin-filled world. Coming to earth in Jesus, God achieved what the entire Old Testament had been moving toward. ¹ Those of us who have experienced the incredible steadfast love of God through Jesus are to live the story of Jesus and his love, sharing it with others.

What does Jesus offer? In him, all nations, all peoples, are now called to be covenant people. Jesus lived not to please himself but to show us how to be humble, obedient partners in God’s saving plan. In Jesus, we have a Savior. He is a bedrock who offers love, forgiveness, hope, transformation, new life, and life eternal. In Jesus, we are the body of Christ to a broken and hurting world; we become the church, offering to others what we have accepted. As the angels said, Good news to all people.

No one, other than the covenant people of God, takes this wonderful message of reconciliation to our communities and our world. There is no other plan; the church must build the kingdom of God! We seek God’s presence and preparation for the labor ahead through prayer, praise, worship, and study. And although the Spirit fills us to overflowing so that we might demonstrate the goodness of God to a waiting and watching world, we must be intentional. The body of Christ reaches for, invites, and brings others to know the one true God made known to us most fully in Jesus Christ. But how, in this present age, can we best grow God’s kingdom?

Hospitality