For those old enough to remember, the Heinz Ketchup slogan was the tagline for the marketing campaign, accompanied by a tilted bottle with a dollop of ketchup slowly emanating. It was made even more effective with Carly Simon’s hit song to emphasize the rich texture and quality forthcoming. Well, we United Methodists find ourselves again in the season of … Anticipation!
Soon, faith communities across our connection will embark on a significant journey that will shape our future. We are about to welcome new pastors or reaffirm our current pastor’s return. This is not just a routine event but a profound opportunity to extend hospitality and share God’s love.
Hospitality is a central theme and thread throughout the biblical narrative. My favorite biblical character, Peter, accepts the hospitality of Simon the Tanner in Joppa (Acts 9:43 and 10:6), and Peter extends hospitality to Cornelius’ messengers even though Peter is already a guest in someone else’s home. The Gospel writer, Luke, draws our attention to the custom of hospitality throughout his writings. The word hospitality in the bible comes from two Greek words. The first word means “love”, the second means “strangers.” It is a word that means “love of strangers.” Hospitality is, in essence, love in action. Hospitality is the flesh and muscle on the bones of love.
Welcoming new pastors (and their families) or reaffirming returning pastors occurs most effectively when we move to a posture of embrace. Christian hospitality is how God re-creates us through Holy Spirit-inspired acts in the places and with people we are gifted by God’s grace.
Let’s celebrate and make the day special as we welcome new pastors and their families, or reaffirm those who faithfully serve among us and will remain.
Here are 50 ways to welcome a new pastor. They are helpful and imaginative, and I pray you will find them useful.
