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

-Hebrews 13:2

I have been thinking a lot about hospitality. How do we, as the church, offer genuine hospitality to everyone who enters our doors?

We are a culture that is divided among race, gender, socio-economic status and ethnicity. We live in our bubbles that protect us. We tend to worship with those who look like us and think like us. Yet, I have to wonder is that true hospitality? Are we really aware of the angels in our presence if they are unsure about walking through our doors?

I want to say, of course, all who come to my church will feel welcomed. But would they? I don’t know if I have the answers to this, I have simply been pondering it. I know that we work to welcome all people. I know that we embrace all cultural differences and see the common humanity in each of us. And I know we work to be the face of Christ to all we meet. But…maybe we can still do better? There is still work to be done in building the kin-dom here on earth. We all play a part in it, so maybe we need to start by truly welcoming all, creating a safe place for every single person to worship and truly be the church on the hill that is for ALL people. And maybe when we start to show our genuine hospitality, others will start to do the same.

– Pastor Ali