How does hospitality shape who we are as Christians, and how should we extend this hospitable love toward others? In this resource, we'll look at how biblical hospitality plays out in Christian homes-for women and men-and how we might consider our small acts of hospitable love as larger participation in God's plan to see disciples of Jesus be made and welcomed into the household of faith. We hope that you might begin to consider what it looks like for you, no matter your season, to begin shaping your home and life toward a hospitable aim.

Why write about hospitality? In a world full of problems, run-away technologies, and violence, why focus on something as basic as hospitality? The answer is twofold: (1) We believe that hospitality, like kindness, really does matter; and (2) we believe that hospitality is becoming a lost art. All of us know something about hospitality. We remember the smell of our Italian grandmother's spaghetti sauce on Sunday afternoon. We recall the pink bakery boxes with the white string that cluttered the kitchen counter in the homes of our Polish aunts. And on a deeper level, some of us remember the images of Mother Teresa of Calcutta carrying a dying person into her home to care for him. And for sure, these smells and sights speak of hospitality. But in our often hostile world, our culture is getting worse at understanding and living out a true sense of welcoming. Despite the best efforts of Martha Stewart, sincere hospitality is getting more difficult to live. What Martha Stewart and the folks at HGTV and the food network are teaching us is the art of entertaining, not welcoming. We have written this book to encourage ourselves and others to take a fresh look at how well we are doing being true hosts. Every person, family, ministry, business, and church community needs to evaluate their efforts honestly and not simply presume they are receiving an "A" for "awesome" when it comes to anticipating the needs of others. Read, reflect, re-evaluate, and re-commit to turning our world of hostility into a world with a new spirit and understanding of hospitality. We welcome you to Kindness Matters and we hope that what we share in this book, and the discussion it may provoke, will matter to you and your family. May the world be a better place because we have welcomed each other into our hearts.

Create a culture of radical hospitality that surprises and delights guests beyond their expectations. Engaging worship and intentional follow-up processes are important, but what compels guests to return to our churches is the warmth of our welcome and hospitality that goes beyond their expectations. In The Art of Hospitality, Yvonne Gentile and Debi Nixon guide you and your church creating radical hospitality that infiltrates the heart and culture of the entire congregation. Complete with key principles and proven techniques and strategies, this compelling and practical program will transform the way you do church, leaving guests surprised, delighted, and eager to return. This Revised Edition includes new insights and strategies for effective hospitality and welcome in all aspects of your digital and in-person ministry. This book is for pastors and other leaders in the church. Choose the Companion Book for everyone else in the congregation.

The bestselling business book from award-winning restauranteur Danny Meyer, of Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, and Shake Shack Seventy-five percent of all new restaurant ventures fail, and of those that do stick around, only a few become icons. Danny Meyer started Union Square Cafe when he was 27, with a good idea and hopeful investors. He is now the co-owner of a restaurant empire. How did he do it? How did he beat the odds in one of the toughest trades around? In this landmark book, Danny shares the lessons he learned developing the dynamic philosophy he calls Enlightened Hospitality. The tenets of that philosophy, which emphasize strong in-house relationships as well as customer satisfaction, are applicable to anyone who works in any business. Whether you are a manager, an executive, or a waiter, Danny’s story and philosophy will help you become more effective and productive, while deepening your understanding and appreciation of a job well done. Setting the Table is landmark a motivational work from one of our era’s most gifted and insightful business leaders.

Across all industries and levels of organizations, one key leadership trait inspires and motivates more than any other: hospitality. We have all encountered inspirational leaders who've helped us, taught us, encouraged us, pushed us to get outside our comfort zones, or motivated us to become the best version of ourselves. What is it about their leadership styles that inspires us to do more for our team and our personal and professional growth? Turns out, we admire these leaders for the same reasons we love our favorite hotels, resorts, restaurants, or bars: How they make us feel is essential. Members of today's workforce—especially millennials and Gen Z—are looking for inspiring environments and work that truly fulfills them. Before anyone is compelled to do anything they first must feel. Speaker, consultant, and hospitality industry veteran Taylor Scott knows that the most effective leaders approach their roles with heart, emotionally connecting with their team members before attempting to manage them. Scott draws from his two decades in leadership roles at respected hotels, resorts, and restaurants. He distills the principles of gracious hospitality, translating them into actionable leadership lessons which apply in any industry, such as: • How making people feel welcome fosters loyalty and keeps workers engaged with an organization's purpose • How serving people with empathy and compassion sparks workers' highest productivity • How making people feel comfortable encourages exploration, curiosity, and discovery while inviting everyone to lean into their creativity • How making people feel significant drives them to deliver their best work He also shares specific, practical steps you can take to put these principles into action. Scott shows how to connect, serve, engage, coach, and inspire your peers, teams, and even your own leaders. Lead with Hospitality is a call to action to connect with people on a human level which ultimately inspires teams, organizations, and companies to go to the next level.

Loneliness is an epidemic right now, but it doesn't have to be that way. The Turquoise Table is Kristin Schell's invitation to you to connect with your neighbors and build friendships. Featured in Southern Living, Good Housekeeping, and the TODAY Show, Kristin introduces a new way to look at hospitality. Desperate for a way to slow down and connect, Kristin put an ordinary picnic table in her front yard, painted it turquoise, and began inviting friends and neighbors to join her. Life changed in her community, and it can change in yours too. Alongside personal and heartwarming stories, Kristin gives you: Stress-free ideas for kick-starting your own Turquoise Table Simple recipes to take outside and share with others Stories from people using Turquoise Tables in their neighborhoods Encouragement to overcome barriers that keep you from connecting This gorgeous book, with vibrant photography, invites you to make a difference right where you live. The beautiful design makes it ideal to give to a friend or to keep for yourself. Community and friendship are waiting just outside your front door.