Methodist Church

We understand that it is difficult to break into a community when everyone is comfortable with their own routines, expectations and their own friends. Being a newcomer is like going to someone else's family reunion. Everybody knows each other, has histories and experiences in common, but you don't know quite what it is or if you are intruding on sacred turf. It is our purpose to leave no one on the edge-we want to include everyone into the family, by opening our doors and our hearts and giving them a place in our shared story and ministry.

MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the Hospitality Ministry is to offer the love of Christ to our guests and welcome them in such a way that they would be transform from strangers into friends.

The word hospitality literally means love of strangers and is found several times in the New Testament (Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9).

GOALS

1. Make every visitor, member, or guest feel they are special and belong here.

2. Eliminate barriers to visitors coming to First United Methodist Church.

2.  
   1. Welcome Center
   2. Greeters, Shepherds, Visitors,
   3. Higher Grounds Café
   4. Welcome Packets (children's and Adults)

3. Decrease the stress, anxiety, and confusion for visitors.

4. Communicate barriers to Church Council for future planning.

5. Create a positive attitude about the church with visitors and members.

6. Encourage transformation from visitor to member.

How we help First United Methodist Church

• We encourage a spirit of hospitality and unity, break down barriers of formality and extend a warm and loving welcome to all who come to First Church.
• Create an attitude of community through new comer visitation and card ministry
• We train Greeters, Ushers and support outreach efforts
• Support fellowship and community for ministry members.
• Communicate/disseminate church-related activities/plans effectively.

 Do you have the spiritual gift of hospitality?

1. I am comfortable around strangers and care deeply about how my church welcomes them.
2. I can make all kinds of people feel welcome.
3. I enjoy providing a safe environment for those in need.
4. I feel fulfilled when I can open my home to others for food and fellowship. A natural born Host or Hostess.
5. I am more concerned with whether guests feel welcome than whether my house is in order.
6. I love to create appealing and appropriate environments for people.
7. I view relationships as opportunities to pass on God's love.

Here are some suggestions for developing your spiritual gift of hospitality:

• Step out in faith! You may think your dining table isn't big enough or your cooking skills not good enough. Never mind - God blesses take-out chicken served from the bucket with napkins on a card table.
• Study the importance of simplicity and how it can set you free to concentrate on the people you are serving instead of your concern about details and preparations.
• Challenge yourself - make it a point to meet someone new every Sunday. Can you make guests as welcome as we would want Jesus to feel if he were a visitor to our church?
• Stop-Look-Listen. Take time Sunday morning to stop the busyness and look for visitors. Listen to what they have to say before jumping in to speak.

"Hospitality is the way in which God's people do more for the stranger than they might do for their dearest friends. For God often comes to us in the guise of the stranger."

"...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me... Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these..., you did it to me. " [Matt 25: 35-36, 40] 

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [1 Peter 4:9]

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality [Romans 12:13]