By Jim Lilley - Director of Estate Planning
(with 25 years of pastoral experience)

Every good pastor strives to be hospitable to guest speakers. When we invite another preacher to minister to our congregation, we are accepting the scriptural responsibility of hospitality. The Lord surely intends that we apply this ministry with diligence and impartiality. III John 6 exhorts us to “bring (them) forward on their journey after a godly sort”-regardless of whether they are a missionary, a pastor friend from college days, or a famous evangelist.

One of the most humbling experiences in my 25 years of pastoral experience was having a BIMI missionary hand me a questionnaire that I could use to critique his presentation. He told me that my insight would be used by his director to help him “sharpen his ministry.” I couldn’t help but wonder: who was going to critique my responsibility to this missionary? I decided that I would make myself accountable to be a blessing to these servants of God. I devised a list of ten things that I would attempt to do for every speaker, including missionaries, invited to my church.

1. I would place a meeting on the church calendar the moment that I scheduled the meeting. Nothing is more embarrassing than to be surprised by the arrival of a speaker for a meeting that you scheduled but forgot to record.

2. I would ask whether they needed overnight accommodations, making arrangements as soon as possible.

3. I would plan and promote the meeting far enough in advance to get the maximum number of people involved.

4. I would provide an opportunity for the entire church to hear the speaker. (I believe that adults, teenagers, and children can be influenced for missions through the missionary’s testimony.)

5. I would personally greet the speaker upon arrival. (I would seek to convey the attitude that they were an honored guest, not an inconvenience.)

6. I would allow the speaker ample time to preach the Word and share his ministry. (Why would I not afford this opportunity to a missionary as well as an evangelist? Is he any less of a co-laborer in Christ?)

7. I would look for opportunities to minister to the speaker and his family. (I would inquire about their family, ministry and needs, and try to serve, bless, counsel and pray as necessary.)

8.I would accept financial responsibility for the speakers that were invited to my church. They would be given a love offering/honorarium that provided a generous contribution to their ministry above and beyond their travel expenses. (My personal experience has been that a love offering in addition to a budgeted gift is often required to fulfill this responsibility.) I would announce this offering in advance, giving the congregation adequate information and time to prepare. The church treasurer would always provide a check for the speaker before they left our church.

9. I would send the speaker to a motel, prophet’s chamber or home in which I myself would enjoy spending the night. I would also make arrangements for their meals.

10. After they left, I would spend personal time in prayer for the speaker and his ministry.

This was my list of ten simple ways to be a blessing to missionaries and speakers that visited our church. Perhaps you will add others to your list! It was a privilege to help many of God’s choicest servants along their journey through the years. I pray that we conducted ourselves “after a godly sort.”

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Jonathon & Mandy Crews -  BRAZIL
Joel C & Brooke Daku -  KIRIBATI
Paul W & Martha Daku -  FIJI ISLANDS