The Hospitality Ministry is one of the most important ministries at our church. Studies reveal that most visitors decide within the first ten minutes of their visit if they will return. The members of Wyaby Bibleway Church Hospitality ministry are the “first impression” of the church to visitors and attenders who we do our best to make you feel that they belong to the church, with church’s first effort of friendliness and kindness, the wide smile and warm handshake of the congregation to those who enter. This ministry has a simple, but important goal – to serve the Lord by making everyone who attends a service feel welcome and important from the moment they walk onto the church property.
The Hospitality Ministry plays an integral part in making the public services function smoothly. This committed and attentive group works quickly and confidently to prepare for worship, welcome attenders, seat guests, distribute material, collect the offering, handle distractions, promote safety, and keep order.
At the Wyaby Bibleway Church What is hospitality? One definition is, “the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.” One website describes hospitality this way: “Away from home surrounded by strangers and yet you feel welcome.” It goes on to explain that hospitality comes from the Latin word hospes, meaning both visitor and stranger, and the idea has roots in ancient history. The word hospital has this same Latin word at its root. The word patient comes from patior, which is to suffer. Hence, a hospital can be interpreted etymologically as a place where strangers who suffer come to be cared for.
The word hospice originated in medieval times, a derivative of this same Latin word. Travel-weary crusaders on their way to the Holy Land found places of refuge in monasteries. Eventually these places of rest came to be called hospices. Today the “hospitality industry” builds hotels for travelers who need a bed and a meal. But hotels didn’t come along in Europe until the eighteenth century. Before that, travelers often relied on the kindness of strangers, and later primitive inns and taverns, for a place to rest.
“We don’t know where our first impressions come from or precisely what they mean, so we don’t always appreciate their fragility.” –– Malcolm Gladwell
But hospitality has an even deeper rich and ancient history. Hospitality is firmly rooted in the Bible and the way of Christ.
Hospitality can be defined as “the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.” In the New Testament, the Greek word translated “hospitality” literally means “love of strangers.” Hospitality is a virtue that is both commanded and commended throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, it was specifically commanded by God: “33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. 34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
” (Leviticus 19:33-34, emphasis added).
During His public ministry, Jesus and His disciples depended entirely on the hospitality of others as they ministered from town to town (Matthew 10:9-10). Likewise, the early Christians also depended on and received hospitality from others (Acts 2:44-45; 28:7). In fact, travelers in ancient times depended heavily on the hospitality of strangers as traveling could be dangerous and there were very few inns, and poor Christians could not afford to stay at them, anyway. This generous provision to strangers also included opening one’s home for church services. Hospitality was indeed a highly regarded virtue in ancient times, especially for Christian leaders (Titus 1:8; 1 Timothy 3:2).
The writer of Hebrews reminds us not to forget to “entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). Indeed, in the book of Genesis we read of Abraham’s humble and generous display of hospitality to three strangers. Wealthy and aged, Abraham could have called on one of his many servants to tend to the three unannounced visitors. Yet the hospitable and righteous Abraham generously gave them the best he had. And, as it turned out, he had entertained the Lord and two angels (Genesis 18:1-8).
Christians are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). As followers of Christ, we emulate His love and compassion when we show hospitality, not only to fellow Christians, but even more so to strangers and the less fortunate. In fact, we honor God when we are kind to the needy (Proverbs 14:31; 19:17). As Jesus said, “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed” (Luke 14:13). Christ also taught us the second greatest commandment, to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39), and the Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us that “neighbor” has nothing to do with geography, citizenship, or race. Wherever and whenever people need us, there we can be neighbors and, like Christ, show mercy. This is the essence of hospitality.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus discusses the hospitable behavior of those who will inherit the kingdom: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:34-36). In these days we often don’t think much about entertaining strangers, but hospitality is still an important part of Christian ministry (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9). By serving others we serve Christ (Matthew 25:40) and we promote the spread of God’s truth (3 John 5-8).
The Hospitality Ministry of the church has the opportunity to provide services that add great value to Wyaby Bible Way Church. Well-groomed ushers communicate respect for God and His people. With ID that verify the authority to help and guide. We hope or courteous manners calm the anxious souls. Our genuine smiles warm your heart. Our kind words sooth and encourage. Our trained personnel working together in unison collecting the offering and passing out material confirm the idea that God’s work is important. our standards of excellence mixed with personal charm create a delightful environment for belonging and spiritual growth. We Never underestimate the potential power for good of this ministry.