Hospitality: Taking in Visiting Missionaries and Ministers

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KingJimmy Jun 14, 2008

Hi,

I'm getting ready to fly away from the nest (my parents home) and rent an apartment. I will be getting a 2 bed/2 bath apartment. Being that I'm single, I will have an extra room available at my new home that I'd like to turn into a guest room/study.

I'm prayerfully considering contacting several local churches in the area and opening my guest room up to any visiting missionaries or ministers who need a room to stay at for a few nights. For anybody who has ever done something like this before, do you have any practical suggestions for me that I should consider?

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KingJimmy Jun 14, 2008

As a side note, I work about 60 hours a week Monday-Friday, and will only be home on the weekends (well, I get home at 9:30-10 every night). So, I won't be able to do much for them besides offer them a bed and perhaps some company on the weekend.

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iwka Jun 14, 2008

As a former missionary, I would say, Thank YOU!!! A bed, warm water and access to the kitchen is all we need.

sermonindex Jun 14, 2008

One idea on the practical side....we normally like to have a basket of goodies for our missionary guests, things like chocolate, fruit, nuts, snack stuff, etc. Also bottled water is a nice thing to have on hand...we have friends who visit us once a year from another country and due to extensive traveling they prefer bottled water for health reasons.

It's a wonderful ministry to have...and it is also a wonderful blessing to have missionaries in your home. :-D

T

theopenlife Jun 14, 2008

This is a great idea, and I'm sure it will be a wonderful blessing to whoever stays there.

The basket is a nice idea, keeping things simple will probably be to their tastes. I'd feel awkward receiving a big to-do as a missionary. Maybe a simple map with directions to the closest grocery store or restaurants, or any other notable places, with some phone numbers for the local hospital and police.

If you have a bike, maybe make it available for a little "getting around" without a car. When I lived in Australia as a missionary, I got used to not using a car. Now I enjoy opportunities to take a walk or ride somewhere with my bible and a book.

sermonindex Jun 15, 2008

King Jimmy: Yes, I have done this, and consider it a command to practice hospitality from the Lord. I have had many varied experiences over the years...some good and some distasteful.

1.] My first advice is to be led of the Spirit. Prayerfully submit to the small still voice that ministers peace to your heart. Sometimes, it might be wise to MEET the folks that will be living with you.

2,] Do not confine your hospitality to "missionaries and ministers" alone, but remember that we all our ministers, and we all walk in the Spirit to some degree. I don't want to sound critical, but I am not impressed with missionaries as an exalted tier of the Apostolic succession. On the whole, with some exceptions, I have been deeply disappointed with those who say they are missionaries. I have met many in America, and around the world. It doesn't mean that people ~~[i]~~are[/i] what they may believe themselves to be, or that they are Godly because some group here or there may support them.

3.]When brothers stay with you, make sure everything is brought to the light. Make sure the expected ~~[i]~~time[/i] of their stay is defined, unless the Lord specifically speaks to you otherwise, and the conditions. If you expect to provide everything[ I do..], let them know. They should by the virtue of BEING a brother, to know to clean up after themselves. You should lovingly make it clear though, what you expect.

[4. If you discover, that those whom you have shown mercy and hospitality to, are takers and users, rather than lovers and givers, do not hesitate to go to them according to Matt:18. If there is no desire to change, show them the door. God will provide for them some other way, according to their needs. It is not your responsibility.

[5. Do it in secret, unto God, and not for your own glory to prove what a spiritual giant you are, or how committed to the Lord you are. If not, this praise of men, and smug afterthought will be your only reward. Do these alms with joy, and cheerfulness. I have often been offended when taken advantage of, but each time I realized that I wasn't doing my good deeds for God, but for me, for reason's of pride. If you are offended, it is because you we're not walking in love. Blessed are the unoffended.

[6. Remember the helpless, the Alien, the orphan, the lowly. Be led by Jesus's compassion and spirit. In a few months, the trickle of those displaced by the Mortgage crisis will turn into a raging river,and there will be confusion and hardship, even among displaced Christians.

How can we have the Love of God in us when we close our ears and hearts ,to these that we do see in need? We cannot, and have the Lord Jesus call us His own....

When you give a feast, do not invite those that can repay you, but when you give a feast, invite....???

This is a wonderful idea, and worthy to pursue. It is rare today, in our Christian world of "Your best life now", and "Your at your best when your blessed!" mentality. "IT is all about me, ME ME ME!.

It is really about pleasing Jesus.."As Jesus laid his life down for us, so we ought to lay our lives down for one another."

My wishes for success....brother tom.

T

theopenlife Jun 16, 2008

BrotherTom, great advice.

A word of warning: I once opened my door to a troubled young man who claimed to be a Christian "getting his life in order." We made definite arrangements, allowing him two weeks. I determined privately that if he had not shown any interest in reading his bible and praying, or speaking about things of Christ in the least, he was a user and not a sheep of the fold. As it went, he skipped out after one day, disappeared with my key for two weeks, and then I found him in my apartment one night with a large, threatening man, with drugs or some other illicit paraphernalia. He refused to leave, so the police escorted him.

Would I allow another person in my home? Lord willing, yes. But I do not believe Christians are obligated to house unbelievers. It is a matter of discretion. Loving your neighbor includes loving your wife and children in practical ways. Jesus taught the disciples to "flee to the next city" when persecuted. Seek wisdom.

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KingJimmy Jun 16, 2008

Thank you all very much for your practical advice.

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Ruach34 Jun 16, 2008

Great practical advice. Have had some unpleasant experiences as well as decent ones with this issue.

My zeal has often gotten in the way of that still small voice and my desire to be 'used' of the Lord often takes a turn to 'get used' by others.

It has been counted all joy and the Lord has shown His amazing protection and grace to us through every situation.

Commit it to the Lord, ask his favor and guidance and then do as He leads. He will see your heart and give His reward!

R

roadsign Jun 16, 2008

Why just ministers and missionaries?
Why not anybody whom God himself may draw to you?

Diane

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KingJimmy Jun 16, 2008

Why just ministers and missionaries?
Why not anybody whom God himself may draw to you?

Well, right now that is simply the group of individuals I have in mind. I am, of course, open to whosoever. However, somebody looking for a place to stay for more than just a short visit would be required by my apartment complex to undergo a background check, as they are pretty strict about who stays there. Furthermore, I'll be living on a pretty tight budget when I move out, and wouldn't be able to offer somebody a place to lodge for more than just a few days.

T

theopenlife Jun 16, 2008

As for housing non-minister types...

Don't forget what the qualifications of widows and ministers are - they either cannot work because they are too old or impaired, in the case of widows, or they cannot work because they are taken up in prayer and ministering the word.

Otherwise, no work equals no roof. If someone continues refusing to "beat the pavement" and earn a wage, he needs to be confronted for that sin.

Tough love, but Paul warns about this in several epistles. If someone wants to stay with you more than three days, expect them to help out and provide, not because "you deserve it" but because we are a body of members, not parasites.

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ginnyrose Jun 17, 2008

Jimmy,
You got some great advice on this thread. My suggestion is you take it to heart.

I love to house visiting persons, people traveling through who need a bed. You will meet some fascinating people. I do not think I have given as much as they have given me.

Just do not forget that extending hospitality is a command and listening to that still small voice is the guiding rule in living out this command.

God Bless you,
ginnyrose

sermonindex Jun 17, 2008

Hospitality in the Bible way, means that we have the privilege to lay down our lives, to comfort and serve others, ;great insight ginny! I thought about the reason for hospitality. One is to provide for those who need shelter, and travelling mercies. It is a service grounded and rooted in Loving others, and there is a reward en couched in loving fellowship. It is the joy of the Lord, as we share in His pleasure. Where 2 or more or GATHERED in my name, there will I be.

We must not forget that this is a ministry of the Holy Spirit, if we let ourselves go to serve the needs of our Family,

K

KingJimmy Jun 17, 2008

I'm hoping that not only by taking them in will I provide some refreshment to their bodies, but I hope to be able to minister to their souls as well. It has been my experience thus far that due to the nature of the church today, most ministers have not received much ministry themselves. So, hopefully the Lord will open opportunities up for me to minister something from the word to these men as well.

I've always had a heart for ministering to fellow ministers. And being that I may get few (if any) opportunities to do such from a platform in my lifetime, I hope to be able to do such at least one on one. If all else fails, I hope to be able to stick a good book in their hands.