Introduction

A growing, healthy church nurtures healthy relationships and these friendships, are developed through the ministry of hospitality. You don't need to be a gourmet cook, have a spotless home, or be a charming, witty conversationalist to help on the Hospitality Team. Simplicity and service characterize the type of hospitality found in the scriptures.

Duties of the Hospitality Team

The responsibilities of a member of the hospitality team will include the following:

1. Study and preparation. The development of a deeper understanding of Christian hospitality and the supporting skills requires study in a small support group. The hospitality team should meet once a month or once a quarter. It is important to spend time in caring for one another and in spiritual nurture through Bible study and prayer in order to be able to really love and care for others.

2. Taking care of visitors. The Hospitality Team should organize a system which will provide follow-up for the needs of visitors as appropriate. This usually includes providing a Sabbath meal. This function may overlap with the CTL activities on Sabbaths, as well as contacting each visitor, listening to each person, and doing the things they need and expect in order to feel cared for by the congregation. The tradition of a festive Sabbath dinner, with animated conversation and rich fellowship is key to this, but no group activity can replace individual ministry.

3. Caring for new members. The Team should establish and maintain a system of hospitality for prospective and new members, as well as members with special needs, which will integrate them into the fellowship of the church. This may take many forms and may overlap to some extent with other activities in the church. It could include a pastor’s Bible class, a new member class, home Bible study groups, a special fellowship dinner for new members once or twice a year, visitation and personal ministry, or the assignment of a special friend or “spiritual helper.”

4. Coordination. Each Hospitality team member must promote and cooperate with efforts to encourage social fellowship among church members as a whole. What is the relationship between the hospitality ministry and the social committee of the church or the small group ministry? These questions need to be settled in discussions with the other leaders involved, working together with them in building the total "program" of the church. In this meeting there will be time for group study and discussion of a Bible passage about hospitality, sharing of experiences and blessings, and scheduling teams.