Hospitality falls under the “Ministry of Helps” mentioned in I Cor. 12:27-28. “Those able to help others”. Paul is speaking about the different gifts & facets of the body of Christ. The very word, HOSPITALITY, literally means “developing the attitude of a servant.” The root word comes from two Greek words, “PHlLO” which is translated “loving” and “ZENOS” which is translated “strangers”.  PHILOZENOS means “The love of strangers”. Notice, it did not translate “the love of your best friends”, rather “the love of total strangers”. This is the same word used in Hebrews 13:2: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." In two simple words in Romans 12:13, the Apostle Paul commands Christians to “Practice Hospitality."

Hospitality Scriptures

I Tim 3:2 — “A Bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality

I Tim 5:10 — “Well reported for good works: if she have brought up children, if she has lodged strangers if she have washed the saints’ feet…”

I Peter 4:9 — “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”

Ill John 1:5 — “Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren and to strangers…”

III John 1:8 — “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so we may work together for the truth.”

Matt. 25:34-35 — “For I was hungry and ye gave me meat. I was thirsty and ye gave me drink. I was a stranger and ye took me in. Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me. I was in prison and ye came unto me.” (Verse 40) “And the King shall answer and say unto them, `Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it also unto me.’”

Hospitality Programs

Let Arlene Patterson show you how to put hospitality into action by developing specific ministries in your church, including:

• Greeters

• Newcomers Class

• Dial-A-Visitor

• Coffee with the Pastor

• Dinners for Eight

• Fellowship Ministry

• Hospitality Center

Church Board Training Handbook

For many church members elected to serve on their local church board, it is their first Board membership experience of any kind.  They don't really know what is expected of them and they don't know how they should serve in this new important position.  Specifically written to help newly elected Board members as well as pastors, this 25-page handbook, Welcome to the Church Board , has been prepared to help make the transition easier. 

Not specific to any one denomination, this handbook can help most anyone seeking to know how to help the Pastor and serve the church.  It has been distributed by state districts and local churches as a foundation for new board members.  A number of churches and Pastors give a copy to every newly elected board member as they join the board in order to help them get started on a good course.  This publication was written by Arlene's husband, Bob, who has a broad background working with staffs and church related boards.  This eBook is offered free by Hospitality Plus as a help to all churches who might wish to use it.  Download a PDF copy at:  http://www.k5dze.net/Bookshelf.htm .  Also look for this book to be available soon at the Kindle Bookstore as an eBook for the Kindle Book Reader device.

Contact Arlene Patterson