A Church Without Borders

Brain Storming for a Church Without Borders

'And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased' Hebrews 13:16

My church, Charis Methodist Church is currently undergoing extensive renovations. When completed we aspire to be an 'Attractive Community' to our neighbours and become a church without borders. We could learn from St John's short third epistle to his friend, Gaius. This letter is about relationships within and without the church, amongst Christians and neighbours.

The action, described in this letter is of welcome and hospitality. It is not just a principle or theory but a practice and skill; the ability to make a stranger feel welcomed and well looked after. 

'We therefore ought to show hospitality..' 3 John 1:8

Hospitality contributed to the success of the early church. The early church grew by the witness and preaching itinerant believers, early missionaries going about to various cities and villages preaching and witnessing in order to spread the Christian message. These itinerant preachers were poor and could ill afford to stay in hotels and inns. They were dependent on the believers in cities to welcome them into their own homes and provide free board and lodging.

What is Christian Hospitality? It is that action of being welcoming and helpful to friends and even strangers, lending assistance in practical ways. John wrote,

'Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.' 3 John 1:5

John further commended his friend Gaius and informed that others are telling the church of Gaius’ love. 

'They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honours God.' 3 John 1:6

Gaius showed a graciousness that superseded self-interest. This was the spirit of the early church and this resource stoked the fires of Church growth, not necessarily in any dramatic fashion but insidiously, ubiquitously and very tangible.

The Practice of Hospitality. Henri Nouwen a Catholic priest in his book 'Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life' wrote “If there is any concept worth restoring to its original depth and evocative potential, it is the concept of hospitality." 

Welcoming strangers. When we think of hospitality, we picture having family and friends over for a pleasant meal. Or we think of the ‘hospitality industry’ of hotels and restaurants which are open to strangers so long as they can pay. But Churches could give shelter and support to the homeless, poor and needy - people who cannot return the favour.

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

Share your meal with others. The church father Jerome challenged the medieval church to “let poor men and strangers be acquainted with your modest table, and with them Christ shall be your guest” He warned that Christian leaders may be likely to entertain only the powerful and the rich but Jesus advocated the opposite.

'Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed." Luke 14:12-14

Give generously to those in need. It was this early and continuing teaching in the New Testament which sparked off the generosity in Christians which then established many charitable organisations that serve the poor and needy. Many institutions were started simply at first without much resources, by persons who were led by God and who were conscience- stricken to heed the call to share what little or plenty they have with people in need.

'Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.' Romans 12:13

Jean Vanier lived in the small French village of Trosly-Breuil in Canada. One day, Jean invited two men with intellectual disabilities who were staying in a local institution to create home with him. They called their home L’Arche, meaning the Ark. Jean said, “Those who are weak have great difficulties finding their place in society. The image of the ideal human as powerful and capable disenfranchises the old, the sick and less able. So many in our world are suffering from isolation, war and oppression. I believe that those we most exclude from the normal life of society, people with disabilities, have profound lessons to teach us."

This was the dynamics of the early church. Two millenniums later, People still need us, 'People need the Lord.' It is this imperative that will spur Charis Methodist Church to become a Church without Borders. 

Everyday they pass me by

I can see it in their eyes

Empty people filled with care

Headed who knows where

On they go through private pain

Living fear to fear

Laughter hides their silent cries

Only Jesus hears

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

When will we realize people need the Lord?

We are called to take His light

To a world where wrong seems right

What could be too great a cost

For sharing life with one who's lost?

Through His love our hearts can feel

All the grief they bear

They must hear the words of life

Only we can share

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

When will we realize that we must give our lives?

For people need the Lord, people need the Lord

Lionel

Christian Hospitality - Thank You For Being A Friend

'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, I was in prison and you came to visit me.. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for Me.' Matthew 25:35-36 and 40.

A Christian brother, Kenneth Lau, shared a story which left me with a lasting impression of Christian Hospitality and its positive influence on the recipient. Kenneth was a student in the USA and he related that one wintry day he decided to go on a cycling marathon. Unfortunately as it got dark, Kenneth cycled into snow storm. Soon he could no longer go further, whereupon he chanced on a brightly lighted house. He knocked on the door to ask for shelter. 

The host warmly welcomed him, sat him by the fire to dry and then invited him to join the family's thanksgiving dinner. There was Kenneth, intruding into this Christian family thanksgiving and yet, he was received as one of them and shared a happy meal. Perhaps the most memorable for Kenneth 

When the storm subsided, Kenneth cycled back to the University. He shared with us that at that encounter his Christian faith was strengthened for he had partaken of the love of God shared by this Christian family. This incident anchored his faith in Jesus Christ.    

What a fine example of Christian hospitality so wonderfully offered to a complete stranger! 

Hospitality was a hallmark of the early Christian church, the willingness to open up their homes to others, even to strangers. This was a major factor contributing to the spread of the gospel wherein itinerant preachers were offered accommodation in the homes of the early Christian families and shared meals. The early church was obedient to Christ's teaching in Matt 25, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. 

Hebrews 13:2 reminded, 'Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.' In 3 John 1:5 the apostle John praised his friend Gaius, "Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you."

The sharing of a meal is a commonplace practice in Asian families especially with the Chinese. This is not the easiest thing to do. It is a gift. When we extend hospitality to friends and strangers, we have to receive them in a free and friendly space in which they will not feel strange but welcomed, the same way that Kenneth was welcomed that wintry thanksgiving evening. 

So let us be willing to share our private spaces. We can invite people into our lives yet exclude them from ourselves and keep them at a distance. Discover the other person and be a true friend because     

• True friends are lasting.
• True friends are anchored by God's love.
• True friends dare to love.
• True friends provide mutual encouragement.

That's what friends are for.