Search Results

Our twice-yearly residential training conferences for junior leaders (interns and ministry apprentices). Formation Residentials How can you give your junior leaders the best start? “[Formation Residentials are] so foundational to the whole year and what we’re trying to do on the Ministry Training Scheme because it’s not looking at developing skills, it’s not about increasing knowledge, but it’s actually about the heart… its really about the person of the Christian leader.” Church Leader Character-focussed training for junior leaders The demands of new ministry roles often mean prioritising skills and competency over spiritual formation. We know that establishing these rhythms and heart attitudes are essential for sustainable joy-filledservice. Formation Residential Conferences are designed to complement your existing training by helping new leaders to ask “What does healthy Christian leadership look like?” Across the two conferences, in September and March, we teach about living in the love of God day by day (including disciplines around rest and using our time), experiencing God’s grace, loving God’s church, becoming Christ-like, and being a servant. We also encourage supervisors of junior leaders and overseers of church internship schemes to accompany their delegates. This provides a great opportunity for teams to bond and be refreshed together. We would love supervisors to take an active part in the program - sharing their wisdom and experiences with the junior leaders. Booking now open! Join us in 2025/26: 9th - 11th September & 3rd - 5th March in Nottingham *With accommodation available at local Travelodge if booked early Book today! Supervisors offer!! To help supervisors join in the fun, we want to cover your conference costs* *This means you will only need to pay your accommodation and travel - though we may be able to find alternative accommodation options if needed. Book today! What people say about Formation Residentials: I left Formation feeling more prepared for the year ahead, the challenges and opportunities, but also with the joy of the Lord, and the reason why this year is worth doing: for His glory.” Delegate Formation Residential Conferences Who are the Formation Residential Conferences for? Up Up Formation Residentials are for anyone getting their first taste of ministry. Traditionally this will be those in trainee or internship roles in churches and organisations, though anyone in their first ministry role is welcome and would benefit from the content. The content has relevance those exploring vocational ministry and is also beneficial for equipping believers to live a life of joy-filled faith and service beyond their current roles. We’d also love to have any supervisors join us! This provides a great opportunity for teams to bond and be refreshed together. We encourage supervisors to take an active part in the program - sharing their wisdom and experiences with the junior leaders. What to expect at a Formation Residential Conference Up Up Across the three days of the conference delegates will take part in a variety of sessions, including seminar-style sessions, expository sessions and an open Q&A. We also try to ensure there is plenty of space to reflect on the things they are learning individually, in groups or by talking one-to-one with a member of the team. As a conference particularly for junior leaders, it provides an ideal opportunity to get to know others in similar roles with similar challenges. With this in mind we also build in time to socialise and have fun with the other delegates and team. What is the difference between the autumn and spring conference? Up Up Many roles start (or re-start) in line with the academic year, so our September Conference is designed with this in mind. The conference is intended to help leaders lay essential foundations for sustainable and joy-filled ministry, particularly as they start to establish routines and get to grips with ministry life. We cover subjects such as enjoying God’s grace, loving the Church, becoming Christ-like, being a servant, and day-to-day disciplines and tips for living in the love of God. We also take time to help them understand what changes they may experience as they transition into a formal role at church (where applicable). Our March conference provides an opportunity for the junior leaders to stop and take stock. Throughout the Conference, we help them unpack how they see the Lord teaching and developing them, and the areas that have been challenging for them. We tackle important subjects such as “faith vs. going through the motions”, and how to set our hearts and minds on Jesus especially as we might need consider what’s next. Throughout this conference, we spend time dwelling on Jesus and the grace we have received in him - a balm for those who are weary and an encouragement to spur the junior leaders on. Our junior leaders are undertaking a ministry training courses, should they still attend a Conference like this? Up Up Ministry Training Courses provide vital training in theology, Bible handling and practical skills, however by prioritisng such aspects of ministry they often don't cover topics relating to the life and heart of the junior leader. This is where Formation Residentials come in! All conference tickets include meals throughout the course of the conference (breakfast, lunch and dinner) which are served at the conference venue. Accommodation tickets (shared and single) include accommodation at a nearby Travelodge. You are welcome to arrange your own accommodation if you’d prefer. What are the food and accommodation options? Up Up Several ticket options are available at the time of purchase. All conference tickets include meals throughout the course of the conference (breakfast, lunch and dinner) which are served at the conference venue. Accommodation tickets (shared and single) include accommodation at a nearby Travelodge. You are welcome to arrange your own accommodation if you’d prefer. Related ministries Formation Courses Formation School Formation Seminars Gospel Shaped Pastoral Care Course Pastoral Care Foundations Course

Welcome to Living Leadership: growing disciple-making leaders through training, support and resources Encouraging leaders & leaders' spouses to live joyfully in Christ and serve him faithfully Find out how we can support and encourage you today OUR MINISTRIES FAQ How we can serve you... Tell us a bit more about who you are and what you are looking for and the slider will filter our ministries to show you how we may be able to help you: I am a... Church Leader Church Member Lay Leader Organisation Leader Spouse Woman in Ministry Living in... Select your region or country Looking for... Resources Support Training Leadership Toolkits Formation Residential Conferences Groups for Women in Ministry Refreshment Days Blog Formation Courses Formation School Leadership Commitments Scheme Living Leadership Podcast Nigel Lee Archive Podcast Pastoral Care Foundations Course Refresh Community for Spouses Refresh Network Online Refresh One-to-One (Online) Refresh-One-to-One (In person) Articles Book Reviews Books Formation Seminars Gospel Shaped Pastoral Care Course Mental Health First Aid Course Ministry Masterclasses Pastoral Refreshment Conference: Central Pastoral Refreshment Conference: Lakes Refreshment Groups Not sure what we can do to help? View all our ministries Contact us Latest news, blogs, & resources Three Postures for Living Leadership Confident Hope in Uncertain Times Practice Hospitality Listen to our latest podcast episodes Listen online Now booking... Formation Residential Conferences Refreshment Days Women in Ministry Groups Refresh Community for Spouses Pastoral Care Foundations Course Refresh Network Online See all our events currently booking Formation Residential Conferences Refreshment Days Women in Ministry Groups Refresh Community for Spouses Pastoral Care Foundations Course Refresh Network Online See all our events currently booking Formation Residential Conferences Refreshment Days Women in Ministry Groups Refresh Community for Spouses Pastoral Care Foundations Course Refresh Network Online See all our events currently booking Formation Residential Conferences Refreshment Days Women in Ministry Groups Refresh Community for Spouses Pastoral Care Foundations Course Refresh Network Online See all our events currently booking Formation Residential Conferences Refreshment Days Women in Ministry Groups Refresh Community for Spouses Pastoral Care Foundations Course Refresh Network Online See all our events currently booking Conferences & events now booking View all our current ministries

Are you interested in working at a christian ministry? View the latest vacancies and find out more about joining our team. Join our team Our current vacancies: No vacancies, currently If you'd be interested in volunteering in one of our ministries, at our conferences or you'd be interested in partnering with us as an Associate, get in touch . Related links About Us Our Ministries Our People Annual Reports

What should we do? It’s an interesting question, and one I’ve been pondering during my first few months in post as the new Chief Executive of Living Leadership. The question comes from a poem by Roger McGough, whose work I loved as a child. His poem ‘The Leader’ (look it up) is written in the voice of a wannabe leader who, when finally appointed, asks the immortal question, ‘OK, what should we do?’ With typical insight and brevity, McGough is making a clever point about leadership, and the way leaders depend on those they lead. His question caused me to wonder if this poem I knew as a child had shaped my philosophy of leadership more than I realised. I have always preferred a collaborative approach to leadership rather than an authoritarian top-down approach. As a Christian, I would argue that this is the more biblical pattern. Leadership in the Bible is always delegated (we serve under the authority of Christ) and is designed (in the church at least) to be plural. Such plurality is a helpful reminder of our mutual dependence. But secondly, and perhaps more importantly, leadership in the Bible is always servant leadership. This means, therefore, that considering the needs of those we lead is critical in shaping the way we lead. Graham Miller, CEO of London City Mission, has always described his role as that of Chief Servant, and I aspire to follow his example in that regard. As I start out in my new role, my heart for Living Leadership is that we serve men and women in ministry around the UK by encouraging them to serve joyfully and faithfully. To that end, I’d like to draw out three postures of heart which I am trying to model as a leader. I hope they’ll be a blessing and a source of encouragement for you. A POSTURE OF THANKFULNESS In the Bible, there are countless calls to be thankful; as Christians, we have more to be thankful about than anyone else, due to the overflowing grace of our Lord Jesus (1 Tim 1.14). In my new role, I often find thankfulness to be first in my thoughts. I consider it an enormous privilege to lead an organisation like Living Leadership. I passionately believe in the importance of spiritual health for those in ministry, and the longer I go on in life and ministry, the more I see the desperate needs that exist. I’m thankful for this great privilege to devote my time to this work of spiritual encouragement and vitality. I’m thankful, too, for those who have gone before: for Marcus Honeysett, whose initial vision and wonderful gifts have helped us reach this point in our history. By God’s grace, I inherit an organisation in good shape and with a clear DNA; I see my role, then, as stewarding that DNA, even as we seek to move forward. I’m also grateful for the work of Paul Coulter, my former colleague, who worked so effectively to build sustainable structures, develop our Associate Network, and whose work was so pivotal in overseeing our transition to a CIO. In addition, I’m thankful for our wonderful staff team, trustees, and network of Associates. Three weeks into my new role, we held our annual Gathering of this wonderful bunch of people, which was tremendously encouraging. Our team really does seek to embody the values we talk about as a ministry, and I’m thankful for the way God has gifted and provided each one. Having extolled the benefits of thankfulness, I’m also acutely conscious that there are times in life and ministry when this posture is harder to come by. In our own family life, we are facing significant challenges which threaten to destroy our thankfulness. However, in good times and bad, the Bible encourages us to lift our eyes to our Saviour, and to ponder his great work and promises. Therefore, together let us pursue thankfulness each day with unrelenting determination. This is for our own good, for the blessing of those we serve, and for God’s glory. A POSTURE OF PRAYERFUL DEPENDENCE In God’s kindness, I’ve spent the past twenty years or so serving in churches. During that time, I’ve developed fairly settled rhythms and patterns of ministry. Now, however, I have entered a new season; I have taken on a role, which has new rhythms, and makes different demands of me. As a result, it’s been an adjustment not just for me but for my whole family. In the last few months, I’ve been travelling all over the country for a variety of meetings, which have been encouraging but wearying. It’s a long time since regular travel was part of my job! As we all adapt to the changes, and as I seek to ‘flex some muscles’ that I’ve not used before (or not for a long time), there are many times when I feel weak and inadequate. In these moments, I’m encouraged by the consistent message in Scripture that strength is found in weakness. It is precisely as we come to terms with our own inadequacy that we throw ourselves upon our totally sufficient Saviour. By coming to the end of our own resources, we see that his will never run dry. As the apostle Paul writes, ‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”’ (2 Cor 12.9a). I would be foolish to try to lead this ministry relying on my own adequacy or gifts, so prayerful dependence is an essential practice. As an organisation, we can look back over twenty years and see God’s faithfulness even when the path ahead seemed hard or non-existent. For this reason, we can now look forward in the same manner—trusting that he will continue to provide for us, that he will lead and guide us, as we seek to encourage others with the message of his sufficient grace. As each of us at Living Leadership encourages others to prioritise time with the Lord as a practice that is central to their own fruitfulness, so it is also a vital discipline for me in my leadership of this ministry. When you next see me, ask how I’m doing! A POSTURE OF FAITHFUL PLODDING WITH JOY As I started out in my new role, I viewed some of the challenges ahead as giant optimisation problems. My goal, therefore, was to get all the pieces in the right place so that we could move forward. Surely that would produce wonderful results. That mindset didn’t last long. Thankfully. As I began to listen to my colleagues and think more deeply, it became increasingly obvious that there was no silver bullet; there was no easy solution that would get us to where we needed to be. Furthermore, it would be futile and foolish to try and find it. The effort would simply paralyse me. Instead, I discovered that a better way forward would involve chipping away at some of the low hanging fruit (if you’ll allow me to mix my metaphors). By taking little steps forward, we would change and grow to become an organisation that is much closer to the one that we aspire to be. It might not be so dramatic or exciting, but this is how authentic, faithful ministry works best. It reminds me of one of my favourite prayers in the Bible. I have often used it when coming alongside other ministers. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Col 1.9-12 The second half is particularly wonderful. Paul is praying that the strengthening with God’s power according to his glorious might be given to these believers. Why? For what magnificent and lofty goal? For great endurance and patience. That’s one of the most accurate depictions of the normal Christian life, of normal Christian ministry—patient endurance. But notice that endurance is combined with great joy—giving thanks to the Father for his saving work. This is a great model for how I am endeavouring to lead. I seek God’s strength to enable me to plod on with patient endurance. And I do so with joy and thankfulness for all Jesus is and all he has done for me. Wherever you find yourself as you read these words, I pray that you too would be strengthened with all power according to God’s glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience as you serve him with joy and thankfulness. Please pray for me and the whole Living Leadership team as we seek to do the same.

‘We are living through a season of great unpredictability’. This is what a church leader said to me recently and I think I agree. We are not merely in a season of great change, but of unpredictable change. We are moving from a stable time in our country to a less stable time. In the wider world, massive forces are at play. Wars and rumours of wars, the long tail of a pandemic that is simultaneously global while also personal to many, the rise of AI, and all manner of economic and social challenges, not least how society treats the most vulnerable. The younger generation (especially those in their twenties) can rightly feel that many of the foundations that provided security for my generation have been pulled out from under them. It leaves a huge number of people with broken families, high financial debt, a lack of male role models, housing crises and fears about very uncertain futures. All while being plugged 24/7 into an online world that’s running a never-ending popularity contest. Deeper even than the global forces is what theologian Carl Truman has called ‘an anthropological crisis’. We live at a turning-point in history when the end of Christendom with its moral certainties is combined with expressive individualism, philosophical postmodernism, and global capital to redefine the very basis of reality and what it means to be human. If you aren't aware of these things, the 18-25s in your church certainly are. Profoundly so. We are heading into times of disorientation, disillusionment, and fear among emerging adults. We should not be surprised if people feel disenchanted, anxious, confused, manipulated, or impoverished. HOWEVER . . . There are also seeds of a spiritual awakening in the UK. In recent months, the Bible Society has published its report, ‘ The Quiet Revival’ . It highlights the fact that Gen Z is returning to church, and it is hard to miss reports from many parts of the UK about God being at work, drawing many seekers to Christ. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised at all. In an age when the promises of secularism are looking distinctly empty, we ought to expect the mighty hope of the gospel of Jesus to shine forth brightly. It all feels rather New Testament. I especially love this verse in 1 Samuel. Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him to find strength in God. 1 Sam 23.16 It seems to me that this is what we are doing as Christian shepherd-leaders in these times. It's good to remind ourselves of the many passages in the New Testament that call us to stand firm in Jesus. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! Phil 4.1 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Heb 10.39 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus , the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Heb 12. 1-2a Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above , where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Col 3.1 This is to mention just a few. These are verses of great security and safety, but also of exhortation. Keep our eyes fixed. Don't get distracted. It is a critical time for Christians and churches to be agents of hope. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. Rom 8.15 There is an opportunity to be radically different to the world. And one of our chief characteristics, one that makes us stand out, is our hope. We have a clear alternative to the confusion and despair of difficult and declining times. We are those who are standing firm in the love and hope that is in Jesus, when all around things feel shaky and uncertain. Make no mistake, Satan would love to deprive us of hope. As the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, ‘we are not unaware of his [the devil’s] schemes (2 Cor 2.11). The thing Satan longs for most is to stop us hoping in Christ. He wants to prevent us worshipping the Lord. Therefore, let's put on the whole armour of God, so that we can stand against him (Eph 6). We are people of hope! We have unshakeable assurance. So, let's depend on it and bring it to mind every day! We have received the gospel with joy given by the Holy Spirit. We are crying out ‘Abba Father’. We may feel that the nations are raging, that kingdoms are rising and falling, but Jesus has been victorious over all the powers of death and hell and one day, his complete victory will be revealed. Romans 5 gives us such hope. Hope for now and hope for the future, though for a while we must suffer trials. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope . And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. reminds of such wonders about our faith. Rom 5.1-5 So let's preach and proclaim our mighty Hope in these days! We are confident in Jesus, rejoicing in the glory of God despite everything. We are completely different to the world; we stand out as light in the darkness. What would it be like for all our churches to be known as places of hope, for that is what we are? For people who are all at sea and desperately yearning for love, authenticity, and community, we offer grace and above all, hope. There is great opportunity in these unstable and unpredictable times for people to see that we are safe, secure, and comforted in the love of God. On that note, this is a time of change for me personally as I come to the end of my period leading Living Leadership. The message above I preach to myself. As I move on, I must also stand firm in the Lord, believing that he is my secure foundation. Over nearly twenty years I have been amazed and profoundly humbled at how the Lord has been building care and provision for Christian leaders and spouses through this growing network. I could not be more excited to see what he does in the months and years ahead as Phil Sweeting takes over as CEO. Living Leadership is a ministry begun and rooted in prayer, humanly-speaking quite powerless, and constantly aware of Jesus’ words in John 15, that apart from him we can do nothing. We are conscious at all times of Jesus’ words that start verse 5. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. John 15.5a I intend to remain connected to Living Leadership, supporting Phil and our wonderful team, as we encourage church leaders and spouses in the love of God. I’m excited to see God at work in the days ahead. Please pray for us as we transition to the next chapter. Have a great summer. With warmest love in the Lord Jesus. Marcus

Meet Susan. She’s a visitor to St. Every Church, that has a congregation of roughly two hundred and fifty. After the service, she’s greeted by a lovely couple, who are kind, and interested in her life. After about ten minutes of conversation, she goes to find some coffee. She meets a nice lady serving drinks, chats with her, and then leaves. She goes home and has lunch on her own. Most of the church members go home and have lunch with their families. She attends St. Every Church every Sunday for two months. She can’t make any of the mid-week meetings because of her work schedule, so her only contact with the church is on a Sunday. After two months, she’s never been invited to someone’s home for lunch. Not once. This scenario, or some variation of it, is not uncommon in the UK. People visit a church, but an invitation to lunch is not extended. Many churches don’t even know if they have had visitors. Some of the possible reasons given by a church leader might be: Someone else is covering this. We have a welcome team; it’s their job. We just let the Spirit lead people to invite visitors to lunch. The above scenario should be unsettling to you. It should cause ripples of unease in your soul. If this is how we in the church handle hospitality to visitors on a Sunday, then something isn’t right. So, today, a question for you. The apostle Paul writes two words at the end of Romans 12.13. Practice hospitality . My question is this: Is hospitality something that is optional, a kind of ‘if you can manage it, great, but if not, don’t worry, it’s not for everyone’? Is it that kind of thing? Or is hospitality an essential practice that should define a follower of Jesus? WHY IS HOSPITALITY SO IMPORTANT? First, a quick summation of why hospitality is so important. There are dozens of reasons, so I’ll just highlight a few very briefly. Old Testament – The law specifically called on the Israelites to extend hospitality to strangers. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Lev 19.34 New Testament – Hospitality was a sign of the new birth. All the believers were together and had everything in common . . . They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. Acts 2.44;46b-47a Lydia – The moment she begins following Jesus, she immediately invites Paul and others into her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord’, she said, ‘come and stay at my house’ (Acts 16.15b). Zacchaeus – Jesus extends grace to the little man by inviting himself to his home! Eating together is a sign of grace offered to a sinner, and when accepted, Jesus says, ‘Today salvation has come to this house’ (Luke 19.9b). In addition to Romans 12.13, we could add 1 Peter 4.9: Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. In his letters to both Timothy and Titus, Paul teaches that elders should be hospitable. It’s a requirement for service. The gospel itself is essentially an expression of hospitality. Gentiles are ‘grafted into’ Israel, God’s people. Invited in. The supreme symbol for this is the Lord’s supper, an act of hospitality round a table. This is why the early church was truly counter-cultural in the Roman world. Christians were recognised as those who took in orphans and widows, giving homes to those without. They understood that following Jesus was a call to open their homes, just as the Lord had invited them into fellowship with him. I have been very brief here, because at St. Every Church, the problem isn’t that the church members don’t believe in hospitality. They do. Instead, this is a church culture problem. It’s an issue to do with the kind of people we are in the West. We are individualistic, valuing our own personal freedoms above all else. That’s why when Susan leaves the church building each Sunday, every member thinks it’s someone else’s job. Is that a valid response? I’m not sure it is. Not if someone like Susan can attend your church week after week and never be invited into anyone’s home. Ultimately, however, if hospitality is not being extended, it’s a leadership problem. The leader must do something to address the problem. So, here is a template for implementing change in your church. It is possible, but it requires firm resolve, courage and perseverance. It’s not enough to hope that change will come. You must go after it. Here’s how. MODEL It goes without saying that if you don’t model hospitality, then your people will find you out. Your teaching will sound hollow, and they won’t listen to you however ardent your preaching is on the subject. There’s a leader in my city, who invites all kinds of people to a barbecue at his home in the summer. Students, singles, couples, old, young, and of course, visitors. I think everyone in the church has been to one of his barbecues. You may not be able to do that, but you can do something. Anyone can. TEACH Begin with Romans 12.13. Run a series on hospitality in the New Testament. And make sure to include the one verse most likely to engender change in a person’s heart. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5.8 Why this verse? Because it cuts right to the heart of the issue. We cannot wait for our visitors to come to us. We must go out to them, and invite them in. As Christ came for us, so we must come for them. We cannot wait for them to put up their hand and say, ‘will you invite me?’ God didn’t behave that way when we were lost. He initiated. As leaders, so must we. CAST VISION When speaking about the values of the church, include hospitality. Describe it not as an option, but a lifestyle expected of all believers. Include it in your messaging. Ensure your elders are on the same page, extending hospitality frequently, and living a life of hospitality. ORGANISE You can model, teach, and cast vision, but unless you organise, you may well find there is no change in your church culture. The first three are relatively easy to implement. The last one - organisation - requires courage and strength. Anyone can appeal to people from the front of a church, hoping people will respond. Implementing actual change? That requires organisation. A plan of action. How might it be done? FORM A TEAM It’s not enough to make an announcement. You have to go to people and ask them to join. Start with your elders. The larger the team, the less commitment that’s required. So, Steve, you and Sally would be on the rota just once a month. Making yourselves available to host a visitor. Can you help me with that? INFORM THE CHURCH Tell the whole church (and publicise) that there’s a hospitality team, and if they meet a visitor on a Sunday, who is interested in going to someone’s home for lunch, take them to the coordinator at the back of the church. Introduce this person and ask them to communicate the vision. This is just one idea. There are so many ways to do this. It’s worth adding that Sunday lunch is simply the tip of the iceberg (apologies for the cliché.) Hospitality is a way of life, not an option on the menu of Christian virtues. Opening our homes should be a frequent and joyful practice, that characterises all believers. OBJECTIONS I can hear the objections already—some more valid than others—so let me remind you of the parable of the banquet (Matt 22; Luke 14). Guests were invited but many gave excuses. So they were left out of God’s blessing. The Lord calls us to grow, to make sacrifices, to depart from our comfort zones and embrace the life of the kingdom. You only have a one room bedsit? That’s plenty. Small children? Is that really a reason to pull up the drawbridge and say, ‘it’s not convenient for us right now’? The majority of difficulties can be handled if leaders embrace the following qualities. Intense desire to change the culture. Persistence. Ask again. Ask more people. Don’t give up. Delegation and organisation. Find like-minded organisational types, who can help recruit and instil a hospitality culture. A love for Jesus so strong that you refuse to see visitors ever leave your church without an invitation into a home. Let me end, then, with an entry from Susan’s diary, written twenty years after visiting St. Every Church. This time, though, let’s imagine that back then, the church had a hospitality culture. SUSAN’S DIARY I’ll never forget the first time I visited St. Every Church. Penny in her funny hat, but so kind and welcoming. What a rock she’s been to me. The coffee was dreadful, still is, but I expected that! I was burdened, distracted, and truthfully, I was in a bad place. I remember standing at the back—looking lost, probably—and Greg approached me with a clipboard. I thought I was in trouble! An hour later and I was sitting in his home, with his family gathered around me at the dining room table. There I was, wondering how I’d ended up there. The roast was making my mouth water, but before we began, Greg asked Chloe to read a Scripture. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ‘Susan’, he said, ‘we don’t own any of this. And we don’t deserve any of it, either’. I remember being a bit shocked by this. ‘All we have’, he went on, ‘comes from our Father in heaven. When we were lost and wandering, he sent his Son to rescue us. To die for us. He invited us to join his family. So, in a small way, we’ve done the same thing for you. We’re simply sharing the gifts we’ve received from our generous God. It's a joy to share them with you today.’ That moment right then, it was a picture of heaven, and it changed my life. How many years is it now? Fifteen, I think. My role as the hospitality coordinator has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I opened the door to my gracious God, who has come in to eat with me, and I with him. .