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
Contact
Arlene Patterson
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