A Methodist Way of Life

We continue with the theme of Caring found within ‘A Methodist Way of Life’ by asking. “How have you shown hospitality to others recently?” One method of doing this is to Practice 'radical hospitality' as a congregation.

‘Congregations that practice 'Radical Hospitality' demonstrate an active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ. Radical describes that which is drastically different from ordinary practices, outside the normal, that which exceeds expectations and goes the second mile.’

I suppose the simplest explanation is offered in the phrase itself: radical hospitality is offering hospitality in a radical way. As an adjective, “radical” means “to affect the fundamental nature of something.” So offering hospitality in a radical way means offering hospitality in a fundamentally different way.

As a disruption to cycles of brokenness, radical hospitality requires a fundamental shift from a simple practice of offering welcome to an outward movement to stand with others--particularly those who are at society’s margins.

It is arguable that Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of radical hospitality. Christians believe that God created our universe and that the same God who created the universe showed up in human history in the form of Jesus Christ--forsaking the God experience to have a human experience. God entered our story instead of simply demanding that we enter God’s story. Perhaps that is what best defines radical hospitality: when we practice it we say “I want to become a part of your story more than I hope you will become a part of mine.”

Remind us often, Lord, of your words, when some would tell us otherwise, that we have neighbours in this world of ours who are your children, living in makeshift tents, refugee camps, prisons, subways, shop doorways - neighbours who are hungry,  desperate, ignored, in need of the very basics of life, a new beginning, a chance of calling somewhere home. Amen