This morning I kicked off a new five week sermon series on the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations with a sermon on radical hospitality. This series is inspired by a revised and significantly updated version of a book bearing that name written by United Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase. And it builds on the eight week series that we finished last week: The Jesus Priorities (see Known by Our Love).
Sermon
My message, “All Are Welcome” was based on Leviticus 19:33-34, Hebrews 13:1-3, and Luke 14:7-15.
Radical Hospitality
I preached from this manuscript. You can watch a recording of the livestream here (the Gospel lesson begins at 20:15 and the sermon begins at 22:20).
Excerpt
Over the last decade, I’ve visited more than 75 congregations in the Dallas – Fort Worth metro area. You heard that right – I’ve worshipped alongside folks in 75 different houses of worship.
I’ve shown up on Sunday morning in professional capacity as guest preacher or a consultant. But, more often than not I showed up as someone searching for a church – someone looking to connect with and perhaps even join a congregation.
When Susan and I moved back to DFW in 2015 after nearly a decade in Florida we looked for a church near our home at the time in Corinth just outside of Denton. Then, a few years later, we moved to downtown Fort Worth and started looking for a church closer to our new home.
For those of you who have not visited a new church in quite a while, let me assure you that it can be an intimidating experience. Even if you thoroughly review a church’s website you never know exactly what to expect much less how welcome outsiders really are.
Church #1. I arrived and didn’t see many cars or any signage telling me where to go so I waited until more people arrived then awkwardly followed them in. I chose a pew toward the back and sat quietly until someone approached me and told me “you can’t sit this far back – our pastor wants everyone up front.” When I made my way forward I learned most of the remaining seats needed to be saved for specific people – in case they were still on their way. Church #2. As I drove into the parking lot I saw people wearing vests who guided me to a choice parking spot and directed me to a nearby building entrance. Once inside more folks wearing vests welcomed me and . . .