The Welcoming Congregation: Roots and Fruits of Christian Hospitality

by Henry G. Brinton, William H. Willimon (Foreword)

"Every time people sit down to eat and drink together, there is the possibility that community will grow and people will be reconciled to one another. This is good news for a fractured and polarized world, and a strong sign of the importance of being a welcoming congregation that embraces all people with God's love and grace." from the introduction This practical book by pastor and writer Henry G. Brinton studies the biblical basis for Christian hospitality and how it is practiced in congregations today. While recognizing the challenges for embracing all people in the life of the church, Brinton offers a helpful guide for creating a hospitable congregation and welcoming others through spiritual formation, reconciliation, and outreach. He includes discussion questions and an action plan in each chapter.

Genres: Nonfiction

156 pages, Paperback

First published June 25, 2012

About the author

Henry G. Brinton is an author and a Presbyterian pastor who has written on religion and culture for The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, and Huffington Post. A frequent speaker at workshops and conferences, he is the author of books ranging from City of Peace to The Welcoming Congregation: Roots and Fruits of Christian Hospitality. Henry and his wife, Nancy Freeborne-Brinton, have two children, Sarah and Sam. An endurance athlete, Henry has completed a marathon, triathlon, or century bike ride a year since the year 2000.

Reviews

[Jason Deuman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of great content, it’s helpful for a lot of churches. The last chapter focuses on the church’s response to the LGTBQ conversations and argues that churches that are not making concessions are not being hospitable. This chapter felt forced on at the end of an otherwise helpful resource.

[John Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brinton's book is short and sweet, but covers a lot of ground with lots of provocative material for churches to study and discuss. Indeed, this book is formed intentionally for churches to study and discuss together. The study questions and action plan stuff are a little too general for my liking, but if your church is looking to either form a campaign around how to be more welcoming or simply interested in studying this topic, it will do just fine.

My only reservation about this book is that it takes lessons from churches that are either famous or huge, or both. I'm okay with the fact that Brinton isn't a scholar of hospitality because he clearly cares and studies the topic, and includes a lot of scholarship about the topic in this work, but the book has an unfortunate focus on mega-church or specific-church activities. What I mean by "specific-church" is that some churches have a specific role or focus because of their location and demographics that can't be repeated elsewhere to the same effect. Granted, talking about the practices of a mega-church or specific-church isn't a problem as long as we recognize that the concept matters more than the specific practice, but Brinton doesn't ever really suggest how a mega-church practice could be translated into a smaller church without the same means or how a church can find its specific-nature. Churches can figure all this out for themselves, of course, but it would have been nice if Brinton didn't make it appear that a church should build a restaurant on its grounds. For goodness sakes.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

After visiting the community of Iona (Scitland), Saddleback Church, Washington National Cathedral, Chapel of Reconciliation (Germany) and others, Brinton describes facets of hospitality.
Very practical, and gentle in telling us to WELCOME each other regardless of our outward appearance or of the "little stuff" that keeps us apart.
Favorite lines: "I think it is better to take the Bible seriously, not literally." p. 98
" The good news is that God has given us an unlimited supply of love and grace, treasures that we can share as we reach out to others ...." p. 114

[Ruth Everhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a helpful resource. Other reviews here have done a good job of summarizing contents. Let me just add that I used it with the Deacon board at my church. The points are clearly made, and supported by biblical examples/material. Great combination of substance in a useful format.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

AFTER LOOSING TRACK OF THIS BOOK FOR QUITE AWHILE I'VE FINISHED IT FINALLY. IT'S QUITE GOOD AND I WILL BE USING IT TO WORK WITH OUR CHURCH. VERY USABLE.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource with theologically based, practical ideas for hospitality in congregations of all sizes. I will encourage my own to incorporate them.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding and helpful book for pastors and congregations.