Radical Hospitality

Genesis 18:1-8 says: "The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing near by. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, 'If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way--now that you have come to your servant.' 'Very well,' they answered, 'do as you say.' So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. 'Quick,' he said, 'get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread.' Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set those before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree."

I am amazed at how intentional Abraham was with his guests; how he promised them water for their feet and a snack for their bellies, but provided them a feast made up of the finest flour and choicest calf he had available. I can only imagine the look on his guests' faces as they were served...I can only imagine the way it must have felt to them to have their expectations exceeded. This was truly radical hospitality.

For two years this commitment to "Radical Hospitality" has been a part of our lives at Edom United Methodist Church. We have engaged it in our preaching and teaching, and we have sought to live it out in all that we do.

This past Saturday I witnessed two dozen people from our little country church practice such radical hospitality...and I couldn't be more proud of them than I am today!

For weeks we had been planning a Fun Day in the Park that included free food, water games, board games, a bounce house, live worship music, and much more. I am amazed at the ways in which our congregation served those who came to play and relax. Playing games; serving food; keeping the give away water bottles full of water, lemonade, Gatorade and the like; being authentic in their conversations; welcoming all as if they were members of the family...it was amazing, absolutely amazing!

When we began, we had no idea what to expect. Living in a town of 322 people and being located 20 miles from the nearest town with more than 5,000 people, we weren't sure how many would show up. While the total number of people that came was around the 150 mark, 85 of those who actually registered had no formal connection to our church. So from 10 -4 we made 85 new connections in the community. What an incredible gift!

Over half of the people serving had been through a Bible Study on Genesis together and more than 2/3 of them had heard our bishop's messages and my own sermons about radical hospitality during the previous two years. Saturday was proof positive that the Word of God never returns empty handed.

It is my hope and my prayer that as a church and as a pastor, we/I continue to learn about radical hospitality from the pages of Scripture and continue to find ways to live out those lessons in the world around us.

We will be posting pictures from the Fun Day in the Park later this week when we launch our new website (there is a website up currently, but we are completely remodeling it!). Be sure and check it out at www.edomumc.org.