By Anna McShane — What is the most important skill a missionary needs? A solid understanding of scripture and how to communicate it is vital. Language skills are essential. Flexibility in a different culture, valuable. But, the most important? Could it be hospitality?
In good Yiddish, the ability to schmooze — to converse informally, make small talk or chat.
What does schmoozing have to do with hospitality? Lots. Most of the world runs over food, that essential ingredient that brings everyone together, ensures everyone a place at the table, and reduces all to a common denominator. Food is the glue that holds the table together. Small talk is the way to the heart. Hospitality is the reason to stay.
In a world addicted to technology and fast food, this is disappearing. With the fast food culture, exported freely around the world, down time is spent in line, not sitting around the table waiting for the food to arrive. Citizens of today’s world eat with their iPhone in hand, texting friends elsewhere while ignoring their spouse, sister, or neighbor across the table.
Time to stop tweeting and start talking!*
Hospitality is just place, presence, and people; something for the soul, something for the spirit, and something for the stomach.
Hospitality is the backbone of missions, a daily happening for those who are seeking to share Jesus with the unreached. The missionary needs to know the Bible well enough to be able to communicate in a different language, in a culturally appropriate manner, how the saving grace of Jesus works in that place, but those conversations can never happen if there is no gathering around food, if there is no conversation.
Want to reach your neighborhood? Open your home. Stop worrying what your house looks like. Stop fretting about the newest recipe and whether or not it will impress your guests. Put away your watch, your phone, your iPad and just schmooze. Instead of only inviting your friends and family, invite people that make you a little uncomfortable. Stock the table or kitchen island with edibles, drinks, and plates. Let people bring something if they offer.
Don’t hide your Christian decorations, but don’t plan a Bible study, don’t share your testimony, don’t talk church. Let the conversation go where the group takes it. Ask leading questions that are not personally invasive, but that draw out your guests. Make it your goal to have a second opportunity to talk, not to convert your guests.
Want to reach the world? Learn how to sit and talk, over food, without reservation. Learn to schmooze.
*In no way does the author wish to communicate that technology is bad or evil – you are, after all, reading a blog.
