Evangelism or hospitality or both?

HOSPITALITY is the way we treat people when they come onto our property, but evangelism is the way we invite them to come. Both are critically important, but they are not the same. Hospitality prepares the dinner, but invitation (AKA evangelism) is the way we obey the Master’s command: “Go to the highways and back alleys and urge people to come in so that my house will be filled.” (Luke 14:23 CEB). (James A. Harnish, author and retired pastor from Winter Haven, FL, Holy Conversation, p.4)

I believe hospitality is the first action of evangelism. (Ron P. Griffen, Lead Pastor of First UMC in El Centro, CA, Holy Conversation, p. 4)

Which hand is more important, your right or your left? It’s a litmus test for you and your congrega- tion: If you (and they) can’t do hospitality, there isn’t much hope for you (or them) doing evangelism – real reaching – evangelism. Most of our churches characterize themselves as friendly, without realizing they are friendly with just themselves. (Nancy Hollingsworth, Pastor of Victoria UMC in DeSoto, MO–Holy Conversation, p.4)

Evangelism is the lifestyle of the church as we seek to transform the world, and hospitality is an essential way we do it. How can we separate the two? (Jim Frisbie, Pastor of Oak Grove UMC in Oak Grove, OR)

As we are in the 21st century and to reach the new and profoundly creative relational generation and still connect with us – the loyal generation – today’s evangelistic strategy is to make real and lasting relationships, developing a strategy called “ZIP Code presence.” We are to make a radius circle from Calvary, and within that, we need to learn who lives there? What are the businesses? Young people? Seniors? Apartment houses? Schools? Medical care facilities? Homes needing repair work? People’s needs, people’s prayer needs, areas where we can be committed to con- necting with our immediate community so that our congregation can truly be a witness for Jesus Christ.

Actually we would not have enough room in our church if we fully committed to this practice of evan- gelism and hospitality, using ZIP Code presence and diligently sought the answers to our questions. (Evangelism or Hospitality–or Both, p. 6)

Finally, once we ignite ZIP Code evangelism and hospitality at Calvary UMC, we have to go one step further to commit to and practice “extreme” hospitality. This type of hospitality is best defined by the following three statements:

1. All people are welcome! 2. All people are worthy. 3. All people have a place.

JUST AS JESUS CHRIST DID! HE EXTENDED LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

— Rev. Johncie Turner, Chair of Missions, Evangelism and Outreach Ministry Team

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(Information from CIRCUIT RIDER, UM CLERGY from COKESBURY/THE UMC; May/June/July 2015, by Olu Brown, Pastor, Impact United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA)