Extravagant Hospitality

In one meeting of the Ready, Set, Grow Project, extravagant hospitality was named as important. In the same chat, someone asked who gets to decide if the hospitality is really extravagant? Does everyone feel as welcomed as I do? As comfortable in a given congregation?
Perhaps we ought to engage our unchurched friends...ask them to do us a favor and come to visit some week, looking for things that help them feel welcome and those things which make them uncomfortable. Begin with a site visit.....what does your property say to folks who might visit? Are things clearly marked and accessible to all? Safe and inviting for young children?
Are colors and materials energizing or worn out? Furniture of a family room or leftovers from surplus bargain sale?
Is the bulletin board cluttered or organized? Do you have a list somewhere obvious of how folks can become involved in your faith community's mission and make a difference in the lives of others?

Think about the places you like to go and where you feel most welcome. What if your fellowship hall was turned into more of a coffee shop? Are there cards and games for folks to share? Imagine who might stop in to chat and build relationships. New people? Young people? Technologically-savvy people? Your cool friends who don't have a church home? All of these would bring gifts to the Church.

There is one congregation which has moved to invite newer neighbors to their church since our first module meeting. They decided to use some of their financial resources to provide pizza for young people who agreed to go door to door in several subdivisions and put out door hanger invitations! They were sooo excited to report this back to me. What resources do you have, and how might you use them to invite your community to do ministry with you?

One church began an early morning mid-week prayer time...and folks who are not regular worship attenders or even members will come to this time, giving thanks for the spiritual support and relationships formed.

Other ideas out there to share? Please do. You matter....and someone might need what you have to give.
Thanks in advance......Carole