CRAIG KRAFT BLOG

Why Canada Needs Biblical Hospitality

Dr. Craig Kraft / Thursday, July 2, 2020

 

My friend Doug had no interest in Jesus or Church.   

His parents took him to Sunday school as a child, he believed in God, he knew the Christmas and Easter stories, and he was familiar with many popular Bible verses, but in his teen years he struggled to connect his experiences in life with what he knew of religion.  

I guess you could say that Doug is like a lot of Canadians.

Like many, Doug’s life started to fall apart.  His wife left him, and he missed his kids.  He lost most of the things that he valued in life and the church was the last place that he would think to turn to for help. I met Doug at a very low point in his life.  

We didn’t have much in common, and Doug was a stranger to me and an outsider to my family and circle of friends.  There was no way that he would visit our church, but he felt welcomed in our home. 

My family included him in our life and eventually he opened his heart to Jesus and a discovered a new purpose.

Loving Strangers

If you read my previous blog, Understanding Hospitality in a Western Context: Hospitality in Scripture about understanding biblical hospitality you will remember that the biblical concept of hospitality involves much more than the entertaining of family and guests in our homes. For Christians, hospitality is “extending the privileges of community to those who do not have the standing to expect it.”[1] 

Hospitality is loving strangers.

Canadians do not have to look far to see strangers. 

Dr. Sadiri Tira states: “We are all strangers to one another. Strangers are simply people who are not in our ‘inner circle.’ They are outsiders.”[2] 

It can be helpful for Christians to recognize that we are strangers here. 

  • We are all strangers to God, separated by sin and selfish motivation, but God pours out his love to us and welcomes us (Eph. 2:11-22). 
  • We are also strangers in this world, set apart to be holy (1 Peter 1:14-16, 2:9-12). 

Hospitality is the act of building relational bridges toward others through the demonstration of love and compassion.

It is unfortunate, and hurtful when I hear people talk about the Christian church in Canada as being intolerant and exclusive.  That was how Doug viewed the church, and he did not want to have anything to do with it.  

Yes, the pursuit of holiness sets Christ’s followers apart from most of the world, but Jesus was not intolerant or exclusive. 

In fact, the Gospels present Jesus as one who was criticized by the religious leaders of his day for his association with people they would have considered as strangers or outsiders (Matt 9:11; 11:16-19, Luke 19:5-7). 

The life of Jesus demonstrated one of his primary teachings, loving our neighbours (Luke 10:25-37, 1 John 4:7-8). 

The gospels present God as a good host and his loving welcome is inclusive (Luke 14). 

The Balance between Tolerance & Holiness

Canada prides itself in being a tolerant society built around the values of tolerance, inclusion, and acceptance.[3] 

Jesus demonstrated how one can balance the tension between pursuing holiness and being a friend of sinners, and he did it through hospitality. 

  • He extended loving compassion to the people around him. 
  • He served all who followed him and did not let his disciples turn them away. 
  • He broke the religious boundaries and spoke with the woman at the well, ate in the home of the tax collectors, he touched and healed the unclean, and was a friend of sinners. 

Jesus embraced strangers who were outside of his inner circle. 

Christian hospitality seeks to love individuals as God loves them without accepting, validating, or embracing their beliefs and practice which may run contrary to Jesus.

Christians continue to reinforce a misperception of the church when we argue with each other about what may appear to be trivial matters, when we try to impose biblical morals and values on others, and when we do a better job of making people aware of what we are against than what we are for. 

Christianity has a long history of being good at defining religion, but our past is a bit checkered when it comes to being ambassadors of Jesus Christ. 

One does not have to look very far in history, or in our present culture, to see our faults and failures. 

But we should not let our faults define who we are today.  We all have a history of sinfulness and failure and yet God extended hospitality to us through His Son Jesus (John 3:16).

Canadian Christians should be known by their love and acts of hospitality. Followers of Jesus should reflect the qualities of the One they are following. 

I wonder where Doug would be today if our family had not extended hospitality to him.

Who are the strangers in our neighborhoods?  “Otherness” may be defined today by ethnicity, culture, language, belief, values, politics, generation, gender and more. 

God loves our nation and He wants to see His church at work, doing what he called us to do.

If we could focus more on loving our neighbors, we could experience a new awakening of the Church in Canada.  We could shift the perception of others so that the church is know for its love, hospitality, and inclusion. 

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

 


Dr. Craig Kraft is the Executive Director of Outreach Canada.  Craig and his wife Heather have four adult sons.  They were involved in pastoral ministry in western Canada for fifteen years before becoming missionaries with OC.  Craig served with OC in southern Africa and now leads the ministry in Canada. After returning from Africa, Craig assisted with the formation of the OC Global Alliance, a partnership of over one thousand missionaries working around the world.  Craig is a graduate of Northwest Baptist Seminary at ACTS and has recently completed his Doctor of Intercultural Studies degree at the Asia Graduate School of Theology.  His study has focused on diaspora missiology in Canada.  His dissertation explores the potential for revitalizing Canadian churches through the practice of biblical hospitality with refugees and immigrants.

 


 

[1] Scott Cormode, “Biblical Hospitality: Inviting Outsiders to Be Family,” Faithward.Org, November 27, 2019, accessed April 28, 2020, https://www.faithward.org/biblical-hospitality-outsiders-family/.

[2] Sadiri Joy Tira, “Who Is the Stranger Next Door? An Honest Answer from a Stranger,” Gospel Life, August 23, 2017, accessed April 28, 2020, http://www.gospel-life.net/who-is-the-stranger-next-door-an-honest-answer-from-a-stranger/.

[3] Allan Levine, “Slow Road to Tolerance,” Canada History, last modified June 19, 2016, accessed April 13, 2018, http://www.canadashistory.ca/Explore/Politics-Law/Slow-Road-to-Tolerance.





The OC Global Alliance: Our Roots The OC Global Alliance: Our Roots

Outreach Canada is part of a larger global story! Outreach Canada was one of the original foun...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: May 2023 OC Director's Blog: May 2023

In our May Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft, shares about the OC staff retreat ...
Read More..

5 Simple Checks for Discerning the Will of God 5 Simple Checks for Discerning the Will of God

Discerning God’s voice in our world today can be challenging. With so many voices and distractions,...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: April 2023 OC Director's Blog: April 2023

OC Director's Blog - April 2023 Edition. In our April Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Crai...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: March 2023 OC Director's Blog: March 2023

OC Director's Blog - March 2023 Edition. In our March Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Crai...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: February 2023 OC Director's Blog: February 2023

OC Director's Blog - February 2023 Edition. In our February Director's Blog, Executive Directo...
Read More..

Outreach Canada Vision for Ministry in 2023 Outreach Canada Vision for Ministry in 2023

Sharing the OC Ministry Vision for 2023, Dr. Craig Kraft expands on who we are, where we are now an...
Read More..

End of the Year Giving End of the Year Giving

Our impact in Canada and worldwide is growing because of your prayers and investment in OC. In 2022...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: Special Announcement OC Director's Blog: Special Announcement

A special word from our Executive Director, Craig Kraft, and from the Outreach Canada Board. 
Read More..

The Canadian Census The Canadian Census

Every ten years, the Canadian government takes an extensive census of our nation. This research pro...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: November 2022 OC Director's Blog: November 2022

OC Director's Blog - November 2022 Edition In our November Director's blog, our Executive Dire...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: October 2022 OC Director's Blog: October 2022

OC Director's Blog - October 2022 Edition In our October Director's blog, our Executive Direct...
Read More..

Discipling Our Nation Discipling Our Nation

No matter how well the church may have done in the past, the challenge of discipling our nation is ...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: September 2022 OC Director's Blog: September 2022

September 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: August 2022 OC Director's Blog: August 2022

August 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: July 2022 OC Director's Blog: July 2022

July 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

Serving Leaders Globally Serving Leaders Globally

Communication and collaboration in intercultural environments are complex at the best of times, but...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: June 2022 OC Director's Blog: June 2022

June 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: May 2022 OC Director's Blog: May 2022

May 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Directior, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: April 2022 OC Director's Blog: April 2022

April 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Directior, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: March 2022 OC Director's Blog: March 2022

March 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Directior, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

4 Opportunities for Hospitality: Welcoming Immigrants 4 Opportunities for Hospitality: Welcoming Immigrants

Did you know that in 2022, Canada aims to welcome 431,645 new permanent residents? And over the nex...
Read More..
OC Director's Blog: The Last One from Craig Kraft
This is the last Director's Blog from Executive Director Craig Kraft, before he transitions to his new role as Director for Global Collaboration with the OC Global Alliance. (Have no fear, in this season of transit...
Read more...
A Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Canadians experience great freedom of religion compared to so many places in the world. In fact, it is hard for us to think that our brothers and sisters in Christ in other parts of the world are under attack. Churches ...
Read more...
OC Director's Blog: September 2023 - LeaderSHIFT
Since the beginning of the year, we have been working through a leadership transition at Outreach Canada. After fifteen years as Executive Director, Craig Kraft has moved to a new role as the Director for Global Collabo...
Read more...
The OC Global Alliance: Our Roots
Outreach Canada is part of a larger global story! Outreach Canada was one of the original founding members in the OC Global Alliance (OCGA). Today, the OC Global Alliance has 15 Mobilization Centres around the worl...
Read more...
OC Director's Blog: May 2023
In our May Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft, shares about the OC staff retreat that took place the first week of May. He also shares about the Leader-SHIFT team and reflects on the special commission...
Read more...
5 Simple Checks for Discerning the Will of God
Discerning God’s voice in our world today can be challenging. With so many voices and distractions, how do we discern the will of God in our lives?  Craig Kraft, OC’s Executive Director, shares his personal experiences ...
Read more...
OC Director's Blog: April 2023
OC Director's Blog - April 2023 Edition. In our April Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft, shares about an OC missionary who recently travelled through Asia, helping to start over 300 new micro-churches...
Read more...
OC Director's Blog: March 2023
OC Director's Blog - March 2023 Edition. In our March Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft, shares thoughts on the Asbury Revival, and more details about the upcoming transition, including OC's new Leade...
Read more...
OC Director's Blog: February 2023
OC Director's Blog - February 2023 Edition. In our February Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft, shares thoughts about football and the larger "team" at Outreach Canada. 
Read more...
Outreach Canada Vision for Ministry in 2023
Sharing the OC Ministry Vision for 2023, Dr. Craig Kraft expands on who we are, where we are now and where we are going...
Read more...