The CPC Hospitality Challenge
November 7, 2022
Dear CPC Family,
One of my prayers for CPC is that we will grow in the grace of hospitality.
I know some of you hear that word—hospitality—and immediately think of a spotlessly clean home, candle-lit tables, seasonal table runners, and America’s Test Kitchen-vetted recipes. That type of hospitality can be wonderful. But when we think about hospitality in such a limited way, it’s easy to view hospitality as something out of reach.
Here’s a simple, biblical definition of what I mean by hospitality: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7)
When we offer a warm welcome, whether a handshake and quick hello on Sunday morning or an invitation to a family dinner later that week, we have an opportunity to reflect the love and grace of Jesus Christ to one another. Hospitality, by this definition, is much more about an open heart than it is about culinary skill or Instagram-worthy home decor. This means that hospitality is a gift that every Christian can use to bless others.
“Hospitality,” Tim Keller once said, “is essentially treating others as family.”
When you think of our welcome of others as Jesus welcomes us, think of these verses:
“In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near” (Ephesians 2:13)
“And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’” (Luke 5:30)
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19)
You and I are welcomed by Jesus and transformed into those who welcome others in His name. What a great privilege this is!
There are great examples of Christian hospitality in action at CPC—but there’s always room to grow! I want to issue a challenge to Corona Presbyterian Church as we grow together in the grace of hospitality. Between now and the end of the year, commit to at least one extra act of hospitality. Here are some ideas:
Pick a CPC family you don’t already know well and invite them over for dinner during the week.
Look for returning visitors and invite them for lunch after church or out for coffee early in the week (Yes, it’s good for newcomers to meet the pastor … but it can be just as important for them to get to know church members).
Pick a Sunday and aim for two conversations with people at CPC you’ve only briefly greeted before.
Consider expanding your Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations to include someone who might not have anywhere to go.
Get a Solo Stove fire pit and initiate a neighborhood, driveway Christmas s’mores party.
Some of these take some effort and planning, others take very little. But I predict that this simple challenge will help us all begin to see the many opportunities God gives us to be hospitable every day. God can orchestrate amazing things—gospel conversations, mercy ministry opportunities, invitations to church, and more—when we take one step out of our usual comfort.
I am very intentionally writing this particular pastoral letter now because the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons present us with so many opportunities to be hospitable and, usually, an even greater than normal willingness to receive the blessing of hospitality. But my hope and prayer is that this practice will be part of our church DNA every season of the year.
Let’s welcome others as Jesus welcomed us, for the glory of God!
In the Father’s Love,
Pastor Andrew