April 2008
A toolbox of wisdom to develop, nurture and encourage teachers, small group leaders and pastors in their teaching ministry.

Hospitality and Sunday School

 


 By Diana L. Hynson 

Biblical hospitality involved an intricate “dance” between guest and host, in which both observed, even tested, each other to ensure that each fulfilled his role with integrity. In a desert context, the extension of hospitality was a matter of life or death. An unobservant or insulting host might seal his fate when expecting the hospitality of others. Likewise, the guest who offended or usurped the role of his host might find himself denied shelter in the future.

Radical hospitality may still be a matter of life and death in the Church

We may breathe a sigh of relief that we are not in such a trying context and thus relax our vigilance. Yet, how many times have we heard the lament, “I visited at First Church, and no one spoke to me. I couldn’t find my way around, and I was just left to figure it out” We may not want anyone to make a fuss, but we do want to feel welcome and included. 

Perhaps hospitality in our classes and worship is still a matter of life and death. We recall the often-expressed adage that any church or class is one generation away from extinction. The United Methodist Church has lost millions of members in the last few decades, even though our spending has been in the billions of dollars. Still, we want to share the faith of Jesus Christ and to welcome everyone to experience the grace and love of God that we find so life-giving. We are reminded of Matthew 10:40—“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me [Jesus], and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” 

So, how can we ensure that our Sunday schools, which are populated by well over one million people each week, are places of exquisite hospitality? What will make visitors feel so welcome that they can’t help but return?

Think about these questions:

  1. Are guests and visitors welcomed as you would welcome Jesus?
  2. Is care taken to include persons without prejudice who look, dress, speak, and think differently than the majority? Are classes open and welcoming to persons from different cultural or racial groups?
  3. Does each class practice the means of grace in age-appropriate ways? Do visitors understand that they are prayed for and cared about?
  4. Do you use the Bible each week in some way?
  5. Is the content of the class both enriching and edifying spiritually? Is it challenging enough to help people grow? Is it worth experiencing?
  6. Are the expectations and standards in content, leadership, and preparation so clear that class members recognize they are a part of an experience that is intentional and committed to excellence (or are members just hanging out together)?
  7. Do all participants have an opportunity to share their gifts? Do other group members want to know what those gifts are?
  8. Do group members and leaders exhibit a contagious gladness and excitement about being there?
  9. Are group members encouraged in growth toward spiritual leadership? To take action based on their classroom experience and learning?
  10. Is the conversation welcoming to visitors and to newcomers to the church or to the faith? Are last names used, church lingo explained, contexts provided to bring new folks up to speed?
  11. Is the leadership aware of the group dynamics so that everyone has a chance to participate? Do group members listen to one another and observe courtesies?
  12. Do all current members extend words and actions of welcome so that no one assumes that welcoming is someone else’s “job”?
  13. Do class participants refrain from gossip or other off-putting behaviors so that the class is a safe place for new people?
  14. Can visitors figure out what classes offer and which ones are appropriate for them?
  15. Are classrooms accessible for all comers? Are signs or directions to those classes easy to find? Are the start and end times clear? 

What might happen if you committed to your top five issues mentioned in this list and worked to see that those behaviors were so well ingrained that they became a part of the class “DNA”? 

Diana L. Hynson is Director, Learning and Teaching Ministries at the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, TN.

For Further Reading and Reference...

 

Leading a Life With God: The Practice of Spiritual Leadership, by Dan Wolpert ( UR )

The Jesus Priorities: 8 Essential Habits, by Christopher Maricle

Sunday School: It’s for Life! Resources (invitations to Sunday school, free posters, and more) available on their website.

Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business, by Danny Meyer (a business book that can be instructive for the church)

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