Tag Archives: hospitality

The Host’s Posture: Embodying Christ’s Love and Humility

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Having explored God as the ultimate Host and the sacred act of preparing our tables, we now turn to the heart of the matter: the host themselves. In biblical hospitality, the host is not merely an orchestrator of events but an ambassador of Christ’s love, called to embody humility, service, and genuine care. This posture transcends social graces, moving into the realm of spiritual discipline and Christ-like imitation.

At the core of the host’s posture is Christ as the Ultimate Servant-Host. No one exemplified true hospitality more perfectly than Jesus. He consistently flipped societal norms, demonstrating that true leadership is found in humble service. His most profound act of hospitality, the washing of His disciples’ feet (John 13), redefined leadership as servanthood. He, the Master, took the lowest position, demonstrating that a host’s primary role is not to be served, but to serve. This is echoed in Luke 22:27, where Jesus states, “For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” When we host, we are invited to mimic this divine humility, setting aside our own comfort or desire for accolades to prioritize the needs and well-being of our guests.

This posture of servanthood is fueled by love as the guiding principle. The kind of love mandated for the Christian host is agape love – a selfless, unconditional, sacrificial love that seeks the good of the other. It’s not a sentimental feeling but an active choice, a commitment to goodwill and action. This agape love compels us to anticipate needs, to overlook minor inconveniences, and to extend grace even when guests might be challenging or unresponsive. It means being attentive to dietary restrictions, cultural differences, or personal discomforts, not out of obligation, but out of a genuine desire to make others feel seen, valued, and cherished. When love guides our hospitality, the atmosphere of our home becomes a tangible expression of God’s heart.

A vital expression of this love is active listening and empathy. True hospitality creates a safe space where guests feel heard and understood. This requires the host to move beyond polite small talk, engaging in genuine conversation, asking thoughtful questions, and truly listening to the answers. It means being attuned to unspoken cues, recognizing when someone might be tired, uncomfortable, or in need of encouragement. The ability to empathize with a guest’s situation, even if unspoken, allows the host to minister to their deeper needs, offering not just physical sustenance but emotional and spiritual refreshment. This attentiveness, a mirror of Christ’s compassion, fosters profound connection that transcends a mere social gathering.

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges for any host is overcoming self-consciousness. The temptation to impress, to seek approval, or to worry excessively about every detail can stifle genuine hospitality. This self-focus pulls us away from the Christ-like posture of humility and service. True biblical hospitality liberates us from this burden. It’s not about our performance, but about God’s provision and His love flowing through us. When we release the pressure to be perfect and instead lean into God’s grace, we are free to be authentic, present, and genuinely engaged with our guests. This freedom allows us to welcome others into our imperfections, creating a more relatable and comforting environment than any meticulously curated facade. It’s in our vulnerability that guests often feel most at ease.

Finally, the host has a unique opportunity to facilitate edifying fellowship. The table, as a place of gathering, is ideal for conversation that builds up, encourages, and points towards spiritual truth. This doesn’t mean forcing awkward spiritual conversations, but rather creating an atmosphere where genuine sharing, laughter, and even thoughtful discussion about faith can naturally emerge. The host can gently steer conversation away from gossip or divisive topics, instead fostering dialogue that promotes unity, celebrates God’s goodness, and encourages mutual spiritual growth. This might involve sharing personal testimonies, discussing a Bible verse, or simply creating space for deep, meaningful conversations that nourish the soul as much as the meal nourishes the body.

Ultimately, the act of hosting, when viewed through a biblical lens, is a powerful manifestation of hospitality as a spiritual gift. Romans 12:13 encourages believers to “contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” For those with this gift, it is a joy and a calling. For all believers, it is a command to be practiced. Cultivating this gift means intentionally developing the character qualities of love, humility, patience, and generosity. It means recognizing that God empowers us to be His hands and feet, extending His welcome, His grace, and His love to a world longing for genuine connection.

The host’s posture, therefore, is not merely a set of behaviors but a reflection of Christ’s character. By embracing humility, embodying love, practicing active listening, overcoming self-consciousness, and facilitating edifying fellowship, we become channels of God’s divine invitation, transforming our tables into sacred spaces where hearts are drawn closer to Him and to one another.

Today is the third in a five-part series that will prayerfully explore the profound role of the dining table in fostering Christ-like hospitality within the home, moving beyond mere functionality to embrace its spiritual, redemptive, and missional significance as an act of obedience, love, and worship.

The dining table should be a sacred altar of God’s grace, a place where His character of welcome and provision is manifest, where relationships are sanctified, and where the Kingdom of God is tangibly extended through shared communion.

Third Place Changes: The Shift from Physical to Digital Spaces & The Growth of Online Communities

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Ray Oldenburg’s concept of the “third place” (the social environments that are separate from the “first place” of home and the “second place” of work) has evolved significantly over the past 35+ years, shaped by cultural, technological, and economic shifts. While Oldenburg’s books – The Great Good Place (1989) and Celebrating the Third Place (2000) – highlighted informal public spaces like cafes, bars, and parks as essential for community building and fostering social interaction, these spaces have been impacted by various factors over the last three decades. 

Today begins a series examining the changes that have and are occuring in third places. First up is a closer look at the shift from physical to digital spaces and the growth of online communities.

In the past 35 years, the concept of the third place has expanded beyond the traditional physical spaces that Ray Oldenburg originally described. This transformation is largely due to the rise of the internet and digital technologies, which have enabled new forms of interaction and community-building. Here’s a deeper dive into the shift from physical to digital spaces.

The Growth of Online Communities

Oldenburg’s third place was about informal public spaces where individuals could gather, relax, and build social connections outside of home and work. In the digital age, online communities have emerged as new forms of these third places, offering similar opportunities for connection, albeit without the need for physical proximity. Key factors include:

  • Social Media Platforms: Sites like Facebook, X, Instagram, and TicTok have allowed people to form and maintain relationships in virtual environments. These platforms create communities based on shared interests, hobbies, or experiences, replacing some of the functions of physical third places. For example, a Facebook group for photography enthusiasts can foster a sense of community in much the same way a local photography club would.
  • Forums and Discussion Boards: Reddit, one of the largest online forums, has thousands of “subreddits” (topic-based communities) where people engage in informal discussions. Subreddits function like virtual third places by facilitating regular, unstructured social interaction, much like a neighborhood café or pub might. Similarly, platforms like Stack Overflow or specialized online forums serve as gathering spaces for specific interest groups.
  • Video Games and Virtual Worlds: Online multiplayer games like World of Warcraft, Fortnite, or Animal Crossing have evolved into virtual third places where people not only play but also socialize. These games offer platforms for spontaneous conversations, casual interaction, and even real-world friendships, replicating the social environment of physical third places.

These online spaces transcend geographical barriers, allowing people from all over the world to interact, which has fundamentally changed how we think about community. Unlike traditional third places, which are typically local and require physical presence, digital third places allow for global, virtual connections that can be maintained in real time.

Hybrid Spaces: The Merging of Physical and Digital Worlds

Physical third places increasingly have a digital component, creating “hybrid spaces” where the physical and virtual worlds overlap. Several examples highlight this trend:

  • Cafés and Co-working Spaces with Wi-Fi: Traditional third places like cafés have evolved in response to the demand for connectivity. Wi-Fi access has turned these venues into hybrid spaces where people may engage in digital work or online conversations while physically sharing the space with others. For example, someone might sit in a café and participate in an online meeting while being surrounded by people doing the same, thus blending virtual and in-person interaction.
  • Smartphone Use in Physical Spaces: In third places such as parks, bars, or cafés, the use of smartphones has created a dual layer of interaction. People may be physically present in these spaces while simultaneously engaging in online conversations through messaging apps, social media, or video calls. This constant digital connection can, at times, diminish face-to-face interactions, but it also allows individuals to maintain multiple layers of social interaction (virtual and in-person) simultaneously.
  • Event Streaming and Digital Participation: Events that take place in physical third places, such as live music performances, talks, or meetups, are often streamed online or hosted simultaneously on platforms like Zoom or YouTube Live. This enables people who are not physically present to participate and engage with others attending virtually, creating a hybrid social environment. In this sense, third places are no longer confined to physical attendance; they now have digital extensions.
  • Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): Emerging technologies like AR and VR have started to blend the physical and virtual worlds even further. Apps like Pokémon GO, for instance, encourage people to go outside and interact with their physical environment while also engaging in a shared digital experience. In the future, VR environments could replicate the social dynamics of physical third places even more closely by creating immersive spaces where people can gather and interact with realistic avatars.

Changing Nature of Interaction

The move to digital third places has affected the nature and quality of social interactions. While online communities can provide valuable spaces for connection, they come with distinct differences compared to physical third places:

  • Anonymity and Pseudonymity: In many online communities, participants can remain anonymous or use pseudonyms, which can change the dynamics of social interaction. While this can encourage openness and honesty, it can also lead to superficial or less emotionally engaging interactions compared to the face-to-face connections fostered in traditional third places.
  • Global Scale: Online communities have no geographic boundaries, which allows people to interact with others from vastly different cultures and backgrounds. This is a significant expansion of Oldenburg’s concept, which was originally more localized. However, the global nature of online interaction can also mean that relationships in digital third places may lack the same depth and immediacy as local, physical third places.
  • Asynchronous Communication: Online third places often enable asynchronous communication, where participants don’t have to be online simultaneously to interact. Platforms like Reddit, email, or forums allow conversations to unfold over time, which differs from the real-time interactions in physical third places. This flexibility can be both a strength (as it accommodates people in different time zones) and a limitation (as it may lack the spontaneity of face-to-face exchanges).

Impact of Digital Third Places on Traditional Social Spaces

The rise of digital third places has led to some displacement of physical ones, but it has also enhanced the diversity of social spaces available to people:

  • Decline in Face-to-Face Interaction: With the ability to connect virtually, some people may feel less compelled to visit traditional third places. For example, rather than meeting friends at a local bar, individuals might prefer to socialize through a group video chat or online game, especially if those friends live far away.
  • Complementary Role of Digital Spaces: In some cases, digital third places complement rather than replace physical ones. For example, people might meet online in a Reddit group, then arrange in-person meetups at local venues, using the digital space as a tool to facilitate face-to-face interactions.
  • New Forms of Social Capital: Digital third places have given rise to new forms of social capital, particularly in online communities where trust and reputation are built through consistent interaction. Platforms like Reddit or gaming forums create a sense of belonging, where users establish identity and build relationships based on shared interests or goals, even though they may never meet in person.

While traditional physical third places still exist and remain essential, the rise of digital spaces has expanded and diversified where and how people engage in informal social interaction. These online and hybrid spaces meet many of the same needs as Oldenburg’s original concept – offering a sense of community, belonging, and unstructured conversation – while adapting to the realities of a more connected, yet geographically dispersed, modern world. Digital third places are not mere replacements for physical spaces but have become an integral part of the broader ecosystem of how humans connect and interact.

Low-Effort, High-Impact Neighborly Gestures

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Let’s face it, life gets busy. Between work, family, and personal commitments, it can be challenging to find time for everything, let alone building strong neighborly relationships. But the good news is, fostering a great relationship with your neighbors doesn’t require a massive time commitment. Small, simple gestures can go a long way.

What if we took the time to get to know the people next to us and discovered that they aren’t so menacing after all? Perhaps we would find that the people on our block or floor are normal people just like us.

At the end of the day, they long for a place to belong, a place to be accepted and cared for.

Introduce Yourself – It might seem obvious, but simply introducing yourself to your neighbors can be a great starting point. A friendly hello, a brief conversation about the neighborhood, or even just exchanging names can lay the foundation for a positive relationship. You might be surprised how many people appreciate a warm welcome.

Share the Love (Literally) – Who doesn’t love a homemade treat? Baking is a classic way to show your appreciation. Whether it’s a batch of cookies, a loaf of bread, or a homemade jam, a small, delicious gift can be a wonderful icebreaker. It’s a simple gesture that can spark a conversation and create a positive impression.

Offer a Helping Hand – Small acts of kindness can go a long way. If you notice your neighbor struggling with groceries, offer to help carry them in. If you see their driveway needs shoveling after a snowstorm, lend a hand. These small gestures can make a big difference in someone’s day and strengthen your bond with your neighbor.

Mind Your Manners – Sometimes, the smallest actions can have the biggest impact. Be mindful of noise levels, especially during late hours. Respect shared spaces like sidewalks and lawns. These simple courtesies show that you care about your neighbors and their well-being.

Communicate Openly – If there’s an issue, address it directly and respectfully. Open communication is key to resolving conflicts and building trust. A friendly chat can often clear up misunderstandings and prevent larger problems from arising.

Remember, building strong neighborly relationships takes time and effort. But by incorporating these simple gestures into your daily life, you can create a more connected and supportive community without sacrificing too much of your own time. Small steps can lead to big rewards.

What are your favorite low-effort ways to connect with your neighbors? Share your tips in the comments below!

Check out these other “Good Neighbor Day” articles:

Coming Soon

  • 9/2 Family-Friendly Neighborly Activities
  • 9/9 Creating a Safer and Stronger Neighborhood Together
  • 9/16 Celebrating National Good Neighbor Day
  • 9/23 How to Celebrate National Good Neighbor Day in One Easy Step

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How to Have a Beautiful Day in Your Neighborhood

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Celebrating National Good Neighbor Day September 28

National Good Neighbor Day is an annual observance in the United States that encourages people to build stronger relationships with their neighbors and foster a sense of community. 

Here’s a brief overview of its history and background:

The day was created by Becky Mattson, a resident of Lakeside, Montana, who came up with the idea in the early 1970s. She believed that good neighbors were vital to the strength and well-being of communities and wanted to create a day that would recognize and encourage neighborly relationships.

Mattson began promoting the idea locally and then expanded her efforts to gain wider recognition. She successfully lobbied for the day to be recognized in her home state of Montana.

Encouraged by the state-level success, Mattson launched a campaign to have the day recognized nationally and her efforts caught the attention of members of Congress, who supported the idea.

In 1978, Mattson’s work culminated in success when President Jimmy Carter issued Proclamation 4601, officially designating the fourth Sunday in September as “National Good Neighbor Day.” In his proclamation, Carter stated, “Understanding, love, and respect build cohesive families and communities.”

In 2003, the observance was moved to a fixed date of September 28th each year. National Good Neighbor Day is sponsored and managed by The Hopeful Neighborhood Project.

Mattson’s grassroots effort to promote neighborliness and community spirit is a testament to how individual citizens can influence national observances. Her initiative has since inspired many communities across the United States to organize events and activities that foster better relationships between neighbors.

National Good Neighbor Day aims to promote kindness, consideration, and understanding between neighbors, recognizing the importance of strong community bonds.

As National Good Neighbor Day approaches, communities across the nation are gearing up to celebrate the spirit of neighborliness. This annual observance offers a perfect opportunity to strengthen bonds and create a more vibrant, connected neighborhood.

Here are some inspiring ways you can participate and make a difference in your community:

Bring the Neighborhood Together – Nothing fosters community spirit quite like sharing a meal. Consider organizing a block party, community potluck, or barbecue in your local park. These gatherings provide an excellent chance for neighbors to mingle, share stories, and create lasting connections.

Lend a Helping Hand – Good Neighbor Day is all about kindness. Why not offer to help an elderly neighbor with yard work or home maintenance? Baking treats to share or offering to pet-sit for a neighbor going on vacation are simple yet meaningful gestures that can brighten someone’s day.

Improve Your Surroundings – Take pride in your neighborhood by initiating community improvement projects. Organize a neighborhood clean-up, plant trees, or start a community garden. These activities not only beautify your area but also give neighbors a chance to work together towards a common goal.

Foster Social Connections – Launch a neighborhood watch program to enhance safety, or start a book club to bring together literature lovers. Setting up a community bulletin board can keep everyone informed about local news and events, fostering a sense of community.

Welcome New Faces – Make newcomers feel at home by creating a welcome committee. Greet new residents with welcome baskets filled with local goodies and information about the neighborhood. Offering a guided tour of the area can help them feel more connected to their new home.

Share Your Skills – Everyone has something to offer. Host workshops where neighbors can share their expertise, whether it’s cooking, home repair, or gardening. Consider setting up a tool-lending library to promote resource sharing within the community.

Celebrate Diversity – Organize multicultural potlucks or cultural performances to celebrate the diversity in your neighborhood. These events can foster understanding and appreciation for different cultures and traditions.

Give Back Together – Coordinate charitable activities like food or clothing drives for local charities. Volunteering as a group at local non-profits not only helps those in need but also strengthens neighborhood bonds.

Promote Health and Wellness – Organize group fitness activities like neighborhood walks or yoga in the park. Hosting health awareness seminars can also contribute to the overall well-being of your community.

Go Green – Initiate environmental projects such as coordinating neighborhood recycling efforts or organizing energy conservation challenges. These activities can bring neighbors together while making a positive impact on the environment.

Engage Youth – Set up mentoring programs or organize youth sports leagues to involve younger residents in community activities. This can help foster a sense of belonging and responsibility among the next generation.

Embrace Technology – Create neighborhood social media groups or websites to improve communication. Organizing digital literacy classes for older residents can help bridge generational gaps and keep everyone connected.

National Good Neighbor Day reminds us that strong communities are built on simple acts of kindness and connection. By participating in these activities, you’re not just celebrating a day – you’re contributing to a more cohesive, supportive, and vibrant neighborhood all year round. So why wait? Reach out to a neighbor today and start planning how you’ll make this Good Neighbor Day on September 28 special for your community.

Welcoming Hygge Hospitality into Your Home

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Hygge [HYOO-guh] has become a cultural buzzword. When many read about this Danish practice, their shoulders lift in excitement, then fall in exhale. In a culture of rush, hygge appeals to their desire for rest – for slow living, shared moments, and fostered friendships. Hygge has strong ties to beauty, contentment, and well-being. It’s warm and inviting. Hygge is the opposite of hustle. It eschews abundance. It savors. It takes things slow and envelopes you in sanctuary. Hygge is home. When you sit in a comfy chair by the fire, that’s hygge. When you arrange a fresh bouquet of wildflowers on a bedside table, that’s hygge too. Candles, soft furnishings, natural light, fresh-baked pastries, intimate gatherings with friends – these are what come to mind when you think of hygge. But hygge can be so much more. 


In Holy Hygge, author Jamie Erickson unites the popular Danish practice with the deep, theological truths of the gospel. She unpacks the seven tenets of hygge: hospitality, relationships, well-being, atmosphere, comfort, contentment, and rest. In addition, Erickson shows how the external veneer of a lifestyle can create a life-giving home only when placed under the hope of the gospel. 

Holy Hygge provides practical ideas for using hygge to gather people and introduce them to faith in Christ. Each chapter concludes with discussion questions, Scripture references, and a prayer.

In recent years, the Danish concept of “hygge” (pronounced hoo-gah) has been embraced around the world as a way to cultivate coziness, contentment and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. While it doesn’t directly translate to English, hygge essentially means creating an atmosphere that fosters feelings of warmth, comfort and conviviality.

The hygge philosophy emphasizes cherishing ordinary, cozy moments – savoring a hot mug of tea, lighting candles, relaxing with loved ones, or enjoying nature’s beauty. It’s about being present and appreciated the small joys in life. As such, it’s a mindset perfectly suited for home hospitality.

Incorporating hygge into your home entertaining creates an enveloping embrace for guests, a simple charm that makes them feel at ease. It encourages true hosting from the heart, focused on developing connections rather than presenting a showpiece. Here are some ways to invite hygge’s special warmth into your home for visitors:

Ambiance Matters – Lighting is key for a hygge environment. Keep things softly illuminated with lamps, candles, and the flicker of a fireplace. Add plush textiles like chunky knit blankets, pillows and area rugs. Choose warm color schemes. Play low-key background music. All these elements create an aura of soothing coziness.

Nurture Nostalgia – Vintage, handcrafted or heirloom items spark feelings of nostalgia central to hygge. Incorporate them into your decor – grandma’s ceramic vase, that needlepoint pillow you made, or a restored antique dresser. Display old family photos. Offer homey treats like fresh bread or cookies. These comforting touches make guests feel sentimental and at home.

Be Present – The hygge mindset is about savoring each moment rather than stressing over hosting formalities. Tune out distractions like your phone. Talk, laugh and connect with guests on a genuine level. If you cook, embrace family-style meals around the table. Pour another glass of wine. Hygge values emotional warmth over perfection.

Share Experiences – Some of the best hygge experiences come from doing cozy activities together. Suggest a living room “hyggekrog” (nook) where everyone can lounge by the fire playing board games. Swap favorite book quotes and passages. String popcorn. Make hot toddies. These simple shareable moments create lasting hygge memories.

Ultimately, hygge home hospitality means prioritizing authenticity over artifice. It’s about helping guests feel cared for, comfortable and able to make meaningful memories. With its emphasis on simplicity, contentment and engagement, hygge offers a heartwarming path to making your next home gathering truly special.

In Holy Hygge, author Jamie Erickson combines the Danish concept of hygge – creating cozy, convivial atmospheres that cultivate well-being – with principles of Christian hospitality and community building. The book explores how embodying hygge’s values like simplicity, togetherness, and cherishing life’s small joys can help create warm, engaging spaces where people feel welcomed to gather, connect with each other, and allow the gospel message to take root.

Erickson provides ideas for hygge-inspired practices to incorporate into church communities, small groups, and homes. This includes suggestions for comfortable communal spaces using soft lighting, plush textiles, and vintage decor pieces. She also recommends ways to build hygge through shared experiences like cooking nourishing meals together, faith-based arts and crafts, hymn singing, and meaningful conversation.

Throughout the book, Erickson aims to help readers move beyond surface hospitality into fostering deeper interpersonal connections. By embracing hygge’s spirit of relaxed conviviality, she believes church groups and families can create fertile ground for exploring big spiritual questions, providing mutual support, and allowing the gospel to organically grow in people’s hearts.  

Erickson presents an appealing vision for creating intimate, engaged faith communities by channeling hygge’s distinctive warmth and “unhurriedness.” Her premise that the gospel can spread most authentically through such cozy, present-focused gatherings makes conceptual sense.   

Where the book hits some uneven patches is in awkwardly trying to merge hygge’s essence – which is largely about indulging in simple creature comforts and self-care – with Christian teaching’s emphasis on sacrifice, spiritual discipline, and focusing outward. Some of the recommendations for hygge spiritual practices like making warming beverages or relaxing by the fire can feel a bit disjointed from their intended higher purposes.

That said, Erickson’s enthusiasm for using hygge to build a welcoming sense of togetherness and facilitate deeper faith bonds shines through compellingly. Her suggestions for creating intimate, living room-style faith spaces and making time for unhurried, substantive group discussion provide an appealing alternative vision to typical gathering models.    

Overall, while the hygge-to-holy living synthesis isn’t fully seamless, Holy Hygge offers some inspiring, unconventional ideas for embodying the hospitality and communion core to Christian community life in new, more relaxed yet still meaningful ways. It’s a comfortingly distinctive take on “warmly abiding” together as believers.

Practical Hospitality: A Guide to Building Bridges in Your Church and Neighborhood

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Your church – its members – can be viewed as islands without bridges. The “islands” are the homes, apartments, or condos of your members. Wherever they live, it will be all too easy and natural to want to retreat into themselves and spend their influence mostly on themselves and their families, isolated and disconnected from their neighbors across the street or down the hall.

They are often strangers to their own neighbors.

The secret weapon for gospel advancement that builds bridges is hospitality, and your church members can practice it whether you live in a house, a dorm, or a high-rise apartment.

Thinking like this requires viewing the home as primarily a weapon for the gospel before it is anything else. Biblical hospitality chooses to engage rather than unplug, open rather than close, initiate rather than sit idly.

During the early months of the pandemic in 2020, I worked with the Auxano team to develop this TeamUP eBook to introduce you to the possibility of leading you and your church to build bridges – from member’s homes to their neighbors – and it starts with you.

These bridges are the next step in the ongoing shift from a facility-focused ministry to one based in people’s homes.

In this TeamUP, you will find excerpts, practical ideas, and actions from some of the best practicers of this concept.

These seven ideas and accompanying actions have been highlighted to first raise your awareness in your own life, and then, as a leader, encourage your team or church to do the same in their own lives.

Bridges are born of practical necessity, an astonishing marriage of technology and art. Crossing an often imposing obstacle, they succeed in linking two parts, providing the opportunity for connection and conversation. Bridges are links; they connect people and communities.

It’s time for your church to use hospitality as a bridge to your neighbors.

Reading Between the Ears: Synoptical Reading, Leadership, and the Magic of Disney

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Reading is a passion I treasure, and one that I am thankful my father instilled in me.

I love (and practice) the 4 different levels of reading as espoused by Mortimer Adler in his great book, How to Read a Book, but I really like to latch onto a topic and practice synoptical reading. Also known as comparative reading, it is where many books are read, and placed in relation to one another and to a subject about which they all revolve.

For many years, an ongoing topic of synoptical reading has been about Walt Disney (the man) and the “kingdom” he founded.

Under the watchful eye of Engineer Mickey, here’s my new stack of Disney reading that I’m kicking off 2024:

  • The Art of Walt Disney (Disney 100 Celebration Edition)
  • Disney Book of Maps: A Guide to the Magical Worlds of Disney Animation
  • Drawing 100 Years of Disney Wonder
  • The Disney Book (Disney 100 Edition)
  • Hyperion Historical Alliance Annual 2023
  • Disney 100 Storybook Collection
  • Disney, Culture, and Curriculum
  • Disneyland Historical Highlights: 1954-1972
  • The Mouse That Roared
  • Disney Magic: Business Strategy You Can Use at Work and Home

A wonderful collection of older books recently acquired, revised editions celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary, and brand new works, these books will provide hours of amazing insight into the Disney story.

With these acquisitions, my Disney library is approaching 500 volumes, dating from 1939 to current releases – and I’m still actively researching the subject, regularly discovering new authors and books.

I get it, I really do. Some people think that using anything associated with Walt Disney and the company he created, as it exists today, to illustrate practices for leaders - especially church leaders -is wrong.

I respectfully disagree.

Churches need to look at sources of excellence in any area that can help them fulfill their mission and vision.

In the area of Hospitality and Guest Experiences, there are many great organizations that excel at customer service or guest services. Most of them learned it from a single source.

There is only one organization, in my opinion, that consistently delivers exceptional Guest Experiences, continually upping their game.

That organization is the Walt Disney Company.

Another objection I often hear: “Sure, Disney does a good job; they have a bazillion dollars to spend on keeping Guests happy.” Yes, they do – and I’ve contributed my own share to that bazillion!

But I encourage you to look beyond what you see to the PRINCIPLE behind the action or practice, and more often than not you will find something that you can apply in your organization.

In other words, Excellence Scales.

That’s why I’m reading these books!

#wednesdayweeklyreader #disney #books #bookstagram #reading

Part of a regular series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader.

During my elementary school years one of the things I looked forward to the most was the delivery of “My Weekly Reader,” a weekly educational magazine designed for children and containing news-based, current events.

It became a regular part of my love for reading, and helped develop my curiosity about the world around us.

How to Help Your Church Live Sent in the Place They Call Home

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Not so long ago, neighbors generally kept their doors open to one another. Smaller houses seemed less confining, because the more porous divisions between homes – separated not by doors of wood or steel but by “screen doors” – encouraged socializing with neighbors.

An essential ingredient in community formation is dying out: the strong relational ties that are built when we let our guard down with each other, when we claim common space as an appropriate forum for conversation, play, and eating.

I used to think hospitality was a lost art. Now I’m convinced it is a lost heart.

Leonard Sweet

I want to introduce you to the possibility of leading your church to build bridges with hospitality – from member’s homes to their neighbors.

These bridges are the next step in the ongoing shift from a facility-focused ministry to one based in people’s homes.

Think of it as shifting:

  • From your buildings to their blocks
  • From your campus to their cul-de-sac
  • From in person to in the neighborhood

Why not encourage and equip your members to BE the church in their neighborhoods TODAY, before asking them to BRING their neighbors to church in the future?

Watch the video replay of How to Help Your Church Live SENT in the Place They Call Home. You will learn about the spaces, places, and graces that will help your church become bridge builders to their neighbors. I unpack these three words with ideas, examples, and tools to help your church BE the church where they live.

To help you get the most out of the video, download this Listening Guide prior to watching the video, then work along with it to develop your own “bridges” in your neighborhood.

 How Can I Help My Church Learn to See Their Mission Field Starts Across the Street or Down the Hall?

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Love your neighbors – not the neighbors you pick out, but the ones you have.

Wendell Berry

Is this a common sight in the neighborhoods of your community?

  • Empty front porches
  • Closed garage doors
  • Lifeless front yards
  • Silent encounters in the halls

Unfortunately, this is the norm in all too many neighborhoods.

Does your neighborhood lack neighborliness?

Maybe it’s time to see the mission field right across the street with a clear vision to serve “the neighbors you have.”

If you wear glasses or contacts, you’ve probably gone through the adjustment period of seeing with clear vision because of new lenses. Seeing things you’ve not seen before, seeing a little too clearly, can give you a headache.

When you begin to look at your neighborhood with a clear vision that these are your neighbors and you have been called to love them, you may have the same feelings.

It’s time to offer your lives to your neighbors, beyond the everyday, incidental encounters of taking out the trash cans or walking your dog.

This issue of SUMS Remix looks at solutions that will help you learn to connect to a place and the people who live in it. The solutions include: 

• Adopt a framework for neighboring

• Begin a journey that turns good intentions into actions

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The Character of Hospitality

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Authors Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock, in their wonderful book Practicing Hospitality, surveyed the Scriptures and created a word collage of what a person of character who desires to practice hospitality might look like. Here’s their summary version:

H – Humble

Humility is the opposite of self-sufficiency and is a necessary prerequisite if I am going to be of service to my heavenly Father. I can exercise humility by choosing to step out of my comfort zone and invite individual into my home with whom I may not be totally at ease, or those who may have unrealistic expectations about the event.

O – Obedient

The primary evidence that individuals are Christians is their choice to obey all of their Father’s command. I demonstrate obedience by obeying all of my Father’s commands that focus on hospitality.

S – Sincere

Genuine, as well as absence of deceit or hypocrisy, describes sincere actions. I will “stay on my knees” until I can extend sincere invitations.

P – Prayerful

Prayer – that is, communicating with my heavenly Father – shows my desire for His direction about and dependence on Him for the event. I resolve to pray about all aspects of the events that I play.

I – Interested in Integrity

Integrity is choosing to dow hat is right when given a choice between right and wrong, even when it is unpopular. I will choose to adhere to my heavenly Father’s standards, regardless of what the mainstream of society is doing.

T – Trustworthy

A trustworthy home provides an ambience of trust and confidence. I will study Elizabeth’s life in Luke 1:39-56 as a model for my life.

A – Adopted into God’s Family

Adoption is choosing to legally integrate an individual into one’s home and nurturing that individual as one’s very own child. I will choose, through the strength of the Holy Spirit, to behave in a way that reflects my royal heritage, so that my guests will observe a bit of “heaven on earth” in my home.

L – Led by the Spirit

Walking in the Spirit literally mens keeping in step with the Holy Spirit. I will propose to walk tin the Spirit so I will not carry out the desire of my flesh (Galatians 5:16).

I – Instrumental in Producing Righteousness

An instrument of righteousness brings “every through captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5) and refuses to fret or worry about anything (Philippians 4:6-8). I must control what I think about and purpose to be spiritually renewed by humble presenting my concerns to my loving heavenly Father – even when the hospitality event appears to be beyond my capabilities.

T – Thankful

Being thankful is an act of the will that generates the giving of thanks to God – regardless of the circumstances. I choose t learn to be content regardless of my circumstances. (Philippians 2:11).

Y – Yielded

We are to possess a willingness to yield to our heavenly Father’s specific instructions in relation to practicing hospitality. I demonstrate my love to Him by choosing to embrace His instructions with my whole heart – and that is when my joy is complete (1 John 1:4; 2 John 12).

With the summary of the word collage above, you can create your own personal version. Click here to download the image below. Use it to personalize your own ideas in developing a character of hospitality.

I hope you have been intrigued enough by the information above to pick up a copy of Practicing Hospitality and explore the many other useful tools the authors have created.