Creating a Culture of Radical Hospitality

I recently came across a video that outlined sever characteristics of congregations that exhibit radical hospitality for all people. You can view the video by Elizabeth Turman-Bryant here. You can also check out her website on Radical Hospitality.

Turman-Bryant investigated churches across North America who are practicing radical hospitality and noted seven shared characteristics:

1. Churches that practice radical hospitality have leaders that model hospitality. They welcome the stranger; they live missionally.

2. Hospitable churches have a "bridge" ministry, an active team that works to bridge the church with the local community. Sometimes the church is partnering with a community group that already exists and sometimes they create their own bridge.

3. Hospitable churches invite new people into service in the name of Jesus Christ from the very beginning. New people are empowered to serve.

4. A welcoming congregation shares meals together. It's Biblical and it is a connector in our culture.

5. Churches that practice radical hospitality have regular theological teaching and preaching that keeps the vision of hospitality alive. It is also a practice that passes the vision on to new congregation members.

6. Welcoming churches are ecumenical and community minded. They know that they cannot make big impacts alone and welcome partnerships.

7. Hospitable churches have a "space of grace". All are welcome and the church is a "no judgement zone". This means that those who are working hard and need a break from ministry are allowed a rest, those who do not participate in hospitality are loved, and strangers, even those with "rough edges", are embraced.

I have been challenged by this teaching to consider where Brighton First is reflecting a culture of hospitality and where we could grow.