by Susie Battle, Director Ministry Teams @ MBC Loudoun

Our first 2011 Weekend Host Teams Leadership Meeting was dynamic. The people the Lord has called to lead at MBC Loudoun are impressive and a blessing, and it was great to spend some quality time together.

We kicked off the year with our Weekend Host Teams tradition – the Ebenezer jar. When the Lord gave Israel victory after a 40 year struggle with the Philistines, Samuel took a stone and named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (1 Sam 4-7). So we begin each year taking a stone, writing on it our Ebenezer, and giving God the glory and credit He’s due for helping us in ministry thus far at MBC Loudoun.

We then talked about an intriguing use of words in Scripture. The same Greek word is used for persecute in “Bless those who persecute you” as is used in the preceding verse for practice in “practice hospitality.”

It changes the intensity, dynamic, and intentionality – rather than simply practicing hospitality, it seems to be more like intentionally and intensely pursuing hospitality. {This passage tied in conveniently well with Valentine’s weekend since it is about love in action.}

So our charge is to be more laser-like in our pursuit of hospitality, remembering that those we’re serving could be making some very real and life-altering decisions based upon their church experience. It’s a mighty charge, and one we are privileged to take on.