We just returned from a camping trip with a group at our church. One of the highlights of any camping trip is the time spent around the campfire. Normally I will make sure to bring plenty of folding camp chairs to give us all room to sit around the campfire. This time, I only brought three chairs, one for myself, one for my son Josh, and one extra chair for someone that might have forgotten to bring a chair. As it turned out no one else brought a chair and so there were only the three. Anyone that wanted to be around the fire had to either stand or sit at the picnic table waaaaaay away from the campfire. As a result, not many of us were able to enjoy the campfire very long. Now, that may not seem like a very big deal, but that campfire is a point of connection.
How many times have visitors come to church and there was not an extra chair around the campfire so to speak. Fellowship is an important part of the church life. If we do not show a warm smile, a friendly handshake, and a kind word to a first time visitor, we may not see them around again. Solomon said, "A man that has friends must show himself friendly..." (Proverbs 18:24).
Learning to exercise the gift of hospitality is an important lesson for all Christians. You may have heard the saying, "Sugar attracts more flies than vinegar." How true that is. Our kind words along with acts of kindness are like the sugar being spread out. People see and feel genuine kindness. An old sour disposition is like that vinegar, not many people will stay around someone like that.
How can we show ourselves friendly? Make sure everyone feels welcome by placing extra chairs around the campfire. Let them know they are not just another warm body occupying a seat. Bring an extra chair and let someone sit beside you. If they have never been before, why not offer them your seat? Now, don't get mad! The number one reason a person does not feel welcome at church is "The People were not that firndly". How many people have we lost simply because, there was no room by the campfire.
