In the list of qualifications for elders, which one immediately comes to your head? I imagine many of us will immediately think of the ability to teach or the requirement to lead. They are the most visible gifts, which might explain why our thoughts go there first. Perhaps we then think of character qualities, such as being temperate and self-controlled or maybe having a positive reputation with those outside the church. What about being hospitable? Does that come to your mind? It’s in 1 Timothy 3:2 if you want to find it.
If hosting excellent dinner parties is required for elders to be hospitable, I’m not sure there are many elders who would qualify. I know that’s not my forte! However, as we explore in this edition, hospitality is not about the ability to put on a fantastic showy fine-dining experience. It’s so much more than that. It’s about welcoming people into your life. Not just friends and family, but strangers as well.
Yet, elders aren’t the only ones who are to be hospitable. Just as all Christians are to pursue the godly character that elders are to exemplify, so elders are to exemplify hospitality since all Christians should be hospitable. It’s something we need to be constantly encouraged towards and grow into. We wanted to give a little spotlight on hospitality in this edition of the magazine, including biblical encouragements, personal accounts and practical encouragements, some of which bring an international flavour. There’s even a book review if you want to take it further.
Beyond that, we have a wonderful mix of other articles, from encouragements to evangelise and challenges to being in church, learning from the past and a vision for the future. There are more book reviews and plenty of updates from happenings around Wales. I always enjoy reading through the finished articles and I hope you will too. May God bless you and do you good through them.