Unreasonable Hospitality: A Call to Christian Leaders

In a world that often prizes efficiency over empathy and performance over presence, the Church is called to be radically different. As Christian leaders, we are invited to embody a kind of hospitality that goes beyond the expected—a hospitality that is, in the best way, unreasonable. This isn’t about extravagance or perfection. It’s about presence, people, and the posture of our hearts.

Let’s explore three foundational truths that shape this kind of hospitality, using Jesus as our ultimate example.

1. Be Present

Jesus was never in a hurry. Whether He was walking through a crowd, sitting at a well, or reclining at a table, He was fully present with the people in front of Him. In Luke 8, when a woman touches the hem of His garment, He stops everything to acknowledge her. He doesn’t rush past her need—He sees her.

As leaders, we often juggle responsibilities, deadlines, and expectations. But unreasonable hospitality begins with the discipline of presence. It’s choosing to slow down, to look people in the eye, and to let them know: You matter. I see you.

Being present is not passive—it’s powerful. It communicates worth in a world that often overlooks the individual.

2. The Power of Embracing People (and Not Taking Ourselves Too Seriously)

Jesus embraced people where they were—mess and all. He dined with tax collectors, touched lepers, and welcomed children. He didn’t require people to clean up before coming close. He met them in their humanity, with compassion and joy.

Unreasonable hospitality means embracing people without pretense. It means laughing with them, crying with them, and sometimes just sitting in silence with them. It also means not taking ourselves too seriously. Jesus, though fully God, was approachable. He washed feet. He told stories. He lived among the people.

As leaders, we must resist the temptation to lead from a pedestal. True hospitality is humble. It’s about creating space where people feel safe to be themselves—because we’re being ourselves too.

3. Hospitality Begins with Listening

At its core, hospitality is not about what we do for people—it’s about how we see them. And the first step to seeing someone is listening.

Jesus was a master listener. He asked questions. He let people speak. He responded not just to their words, but to their hearts. Think of the woman at the well in John 4. He listened beyond her story to her soul. And in doing so, He offered her living water.

In our churches, our teams, and our communities, people are longing to be heard. Unreasonable hospitality means listening deeply—not to fix, but to understand. It’s personal. It’s intentional. It’s the kind of listening that says, You are known. You are valued.

Practical Application

1. Schedule Margin for Presence

• Block time in your calendar not just for meetings, but for unstructured presence—walking the halls, sitting in the lobby, or being available after services.

• Practice “the ministry of interruption”—treat unexpected conversations as divine appointments, not distractions.

2. Create a Culture of Welcome

• Train your team and volunteers to greet people by name, make eye contact, and offer genuine warmth.

• Design spaces (physical and digital) that feel personal and inviting—think beyond function to feel.

• Celebrate stories of hospitality in staff meetings or newsletters to reinforce its value.

3. Embrace People Where They Are

• Lead with grace, not judgment. Encourage leaders to listen before offering advice.

• Host “come as you are” gatherings—meals, small groups, or events where authenticity is more important than polish.

• Model vulnerability. Share your own struggles and imperfections to create a safe space for others to do the same.

4. Practice Intentional Listening

• Ask open-ended questions in conversations: “What’s been on your heart lately?” or “How can I support you right now?”

• Use people’s names often—it’s one of the simplest ways to make someone feel seen.

• Follow up—send a note, text, or call after a meaningful conversation to show you remembered and care.

5. Make Hospitality a Discipleship Practice

• Teach on hospitality as a spiritual discipline, not just a personality trait.

• Invite others into your home or life rhythms—meals, errands, walks—as a way to disciple through relationship.

• Encourage your team to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10) as a core leadership value.

6. Reflect Jesus in the Small Things

• Wash feet metaphorically—do the unnoticed tasks, serve behind the scenes, and honor the overlooked.

• Be interruptible like Jesus was. Let your schedule serve people, not the other way around.

• Pray for eyes to see the lonely, the new, the hurting—and respond with action.

  
  

Final Thoughts: Jesus, Our Template

Jesus didn’t just teach hospitality—He embodied it. He welcomed the outcast, honored the overlooked, and made room at the table for those the world rejected. His hospitality was unreasonable because His love was unconditional.

As Christian leaders, we are called to do the same. Not because it’s easy. Not because it’s efficient. But because it’s Kingdom-driven.

So let’s be present. Let’s embrace people with joy and humility. Let’s listen with our hearts. And in doing so, let’s offer the world a glimpse of the unreasonable, unstoppable love of Christ.

Discussion Questions for Leadership Teams

Be Present

1. When was the last time you felt someone was truly present with you? What made that moment stand out?

2. What are the biggest distractions that keep us from being fully present with people in our ministry?

3. How can we build rhythms into our week that prioritize presence over productivity?

Embrace People Where They Are

4. Are there any “unwritten rules” in our church culture that might make people feel like they need to clean up before they show up?

5. How can we better reflect Jesus’ posture of grace and approachability in our leadership?

6. What does it look like to lead with joy and humility, even in high-pressure or formal settings?

   
   

Hospitality Begins with Listening

7. How well do we listen to the people we serve—our congregation, our staff, our volunteers?

8. What practical steps can we take to become better listeners as a team?

9. How can we create a culture where people feel seen, heard, and valued—not just welcomed?

Personal & Team Reflection

10. Who in our church or community might feel unseen or overlooked? What can we do this week to change that?

11. What’s one small, “unreasonable” act of hospitality we could each commit to this month?

12. How can we hold each other accountable to living out these values—not just in our roles, but in our relationships?