Phone courtesy is another area of hospitality which needs to be developed in our lives. This jangling device of human creation can be an absolute nuisance or a positive force for ministry, depending on the philosophy we choose to develop concerning it. Every pastor’s family has probably had the feeling that their lives were being ruined, dominated, or controlled by insistent calls.
It is important to view the telephone not as a necessary evil, but as a means for facilitating ministry. How little have we Christians learned to use the discoveries of our technology as instruments for the good of the Kingdom.
The telephone, if used correctly, can facilitate ministry, build the communication within the Body, ease loneliness, bring comfort, and provide a tool for giving cheer. It can be used in evangelism, counseling, and contact work. Even prayers can be shared over the phone.
So, the next time a telephone rings in your home, or office, or wherever you may be, answer that telephone as a representative of Christ. Answer that telephone with a sense of extending hospitality to the person calling. Transform that telephone call into an opportunity for hospitable ministry.
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Through her Hungry Souls ministry, Karen Mains serves as a spiritual coach to many Christian women and men, and teaches a mentor-writing class. And, through the Global Bag Project, she is working to develop a network of African women who sew exquisite cloth reusable shopping bags. This microfinance women opportunity helps provide a much-needed sustainable income for struggling African families. For more information on this critically important project, please click here.
Karen has long had an interest in Christian hospitality and is the author of the best-selling book, Open Heart, Open Home.
An award-winning author of several other books, Karen continues to write content for her Christian blog, “Thoughts-by-Karen-Mains.” In so doing, she desires to touch the lives of Christian women and men and help them find ways to walk closer with the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, through silent retreats, spiritual teaching, women’s retreats, Christian vacation opportunities, and other ministry activities, Karen helps each Christian woman and man receive vital spiritual food.
For decades, Karen and her husband, David, have served God through religious communications—radio, television, and print publication. The are the co-authors of the Kingdom Tales Trilogy: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. To find many valuable resources for pastors and churches at the Mainstay Ministries main website, please click here.
Likewise, pastors will find special resources to help them prepare effective, life-transforming Sunday sermons by visiting David Mains’ website by clicking here.
