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• Hospitality resources from Women of the ELCA (free download).
• God's Welcome: Hospitality for a Gospel-Hungry World by Amy Oden (Pilgrim Press, 2008).
• Radical Welcome: Embracing God, the Other, and the Spirit of Transformation by Stephanie Spellers (Church Publishing, 2006; enter code RADELCA at checkout for a 25 percent discount).
• Talking Together As Christians Cross-Culturally: A Field Guide (Augsburg Fortress).
• Giving and Receiving Hospitality for youth and children (free download).
Let's get one thing straight: hospitality isn't easy. Gospel hospitality is downright gutsy. In an age of polarization, pundits and security concerns, gospel hospitality reveals mission for what it is — an extreme sport. Before leaping out on faith, it's surprising we aren't asked to sign a disclaimer. If we did, it might read something like this:
In committing to offer God's welcome, I am free to engage in gospel hospitality at its relational, eye-opening, life-changing and, yes, risky best.
I hereby indemnify and hold harmless myself, fellow members and newcomers with respect to any loss of comfort zones or damage to previously assumed ideas. I hereby release myself and others to God's grace, understanding that results are not guaranteed.
Mardell Johnson (left) made Ann Tews feel welcome at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minn. (See No. 7.)
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