A host of a guest?

"Leaders take the initiative in relationships. They are intentional about them. They see themselves as hosts, not guests, and go out of their was to connect with people and provide for them" - Dr. Tim Elmore

We go through life either as a host or as a guest. More often than not, I think we end up as the latter. We would rather be served than to serve. As I look out at my church congregation I wonder how many are hosts, and how many are simply still guests. Never have I thought about being a host at church, but it makes great sense.

What makes a good host? 1) Take the initiative, 2) Connect with others, 3) Provide for others, 4) Direct (give leadership) others. We have all been to a party or a get together that was very poorly hosted. We have also been to some that have great hosts. The challenge as I look to my life is what kind of a person am I? Do I take the initiative or do I just wait around and let someone else do it? It places a high priority on the relationship when we take the initiative.

I have learned in my relationship with my wife, when going on a date, the destination is not as important as me taking the initiative and setting up the reservations or baby sitting or whatever it is that needs to be taken care of. When she is the guest, and I am the host, it doesn't matter what we do, 99% of the time she ends up happy.

A good host sees the problem before anyone else does and fixes it. When someone new walks into the room a host will jump out of their seat to introduce themselves and make the guest welcome. If we want to see people come to know Jesus we have to quit being a guest and start owning the party. We have to start being the host. We need to take some initiative.