We are a Family

Plantinga discuses in the second chapter of his book, “Engaging God’s World”, the concept of hospitality and what it means to us as Christians. This really hit home to me. I come from a dying church, one that is slowly losing membership. One of the main reasons the church is dying is not because the message of Christ and the importance of that message have been forgotten, but rather because the elderly members of the church have forgotten the importance of hospitality. Visitors are not welcomed in a warm manner, but rather as strangers.

On my faith journey I have met many non-believers, in whose stories of attempted belief runs a common theme. They were not welcomed. Statistics show that there has been a decrease in Church attendance. As our Intervarsity brothers mentioned on Friday, that does not mean that belief in God has diminished as well, but that they simply do not feel welcome. As Christians we are called to be a family, a welcoming, warm, caring family. And we can start that family-esc feel within ourselves through this concept of hospitality.

Plantinga says, “The idea is that if—in a band of disciples, in a family, in a college—people encouraging each other, pour out interest and good will onto one another, favor each other with blessings customized to fit the other person’s need, what transpires is a beautiful burst of shalom”. By imbibing that one thought, of living with others that the main focus of our thoughts, instead of ourselves, and treating them as family, we can bring about the warmth that brings peace in Him. By being examples, not even needing to profess faith openly, but really internalizing the grace of God, we can bring about peace. That is the powerful mandate that we are laden with as Christians. Not to convert as many as we can, but to welcome anyone who seeks peace and security.