Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64WWW.AGRM.ORG 13 “Radical hospitality means vulnerability. I have to change what is comfortable or simply familiar for me in order to provide what is best for others. I have to step out of my comfort zone, my safety zone, into the disturbing place beyond, where I am awkward, afraid, and unsure, and where I am in a position to make mistakes or even to fail. However, as a friend reminds me, this is also ‘where the magic happens.’” —Vicki Carmichael, minister of music/choir director of Trinity Presbyterian Church, University City, Missouri Robert Schnase, a bishop in the United Methodist Church, wrote a series of best-selling books on the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. He says, “Radical means ‘drastically different from ordinary practice, outside the norm,’ and so it provokes practices that exceed expectations, that go the second mile, that take welcoming the stranger to the max. By radical, don’t think wild-eyed, out of control, or in your face. Instead, imagine people offering the absolute utmost of themselves, their creativity, their abilities, and their energy to offer the gracious invitation and reception of Christ to others,” he writes in Five Practices: Radical Hospitality. “Aspiring to radical hospitality, following Jesus’ example of gathering people into the body of Christ, inviting them to the banquet of God’s gracious love requires intentional focus on those outside the community of faith. Jesus’ example of hospitality demands an unceasingly invita- tional posture that we carry with us into our world of work and leisure and into our practice of neighborliness and community service. It involves seeing ourselves as sent out by Christ and going out of our way, even at the risk of a sense of awkwardness and inconvenience, to invite people into some aspect of the church’s ministry.” Drastically Different Radical hospitality becomes a necessary practice for fruitful ministry “You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children” (Psalm 17:14). “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and the dominion forever and ever” (1 Peter 4:7–11). “The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry” (Proverbs 10:3). “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me” (Matthew 10:40). “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13). “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth” (3 John 8). And God Said… Uncomfort Zone MARCH/APRIL 2017 Hospitality in light of Scripture Beyond the familiar is “where the magic happens”