Hospitality: Spiritual Discernment is Communal
by Thomas B. Grosh IV, D.Min., CMDA Northeast Regional Director
His [Jesus'] greatest longing is for his disciples to remain steadfast and faithful and persevere in community. He knows that for others to come to a living faith in God, his disciples need to be fully aware of the choices, consequences, and drama that will unfold. Following Jesus is serious business because it’s kingdom work, and we are called to join his ministry of soul hospitality, offered freely and generously to all who would receive it (100).
Inspired by reposting The Common Rule Series before taking a time a time of rest, I packed The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything by Stephen A. Macchia in the car.* I must confess that although earlier this year I read part of an advance copy, engaged in several online conversations, and enjoyed a series of podcasts, I doubted I had the strength to push through the whole book (approaching 300 pages with appendices and notes) over the course of the summer. But God had other plans, in particular when I opened Chapter 5, entitled Hospitality: Spiritual Discernment is Communal, to find Hebrews 12:1-3 to be the text under the title:
Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and the perfecter of faith…Consider him…so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Amen! As you know this has been a significant text for me, framing my first steps as the Northeast Regional Director in January 2020, which included the Annual Northeast Regional Conference over Martin Luther King, Jr., Weekend.
Worship time during the CMDA Northeast Regional Conference 2020
What a blessing to rest in this text as 2020, due to COVID-19, unfolded much differently than expected. But God is present with the People of God every step of the journey. Steve writes:
Spiritual discernment isn’t just for the individuals, it’s for the community. It’s much more about us and we than I and me.
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Every marathoner needs running companions to keep in stride, friends on the sidelines offering cups of cold water, and cheering crowds offering words of encouragement all the way to the finish line.
We need our community in order to endure without growing weary or losing heart, helping us keep our eye on the prize—the finished work of Christ in us. A discerning life requires a community of like-hearted and like-minded brothers and sisters who share this same desire for our entire lives. In this world of hindrance and entanglement, fixing our eyes on Jesus—in, among, and with our faith community—will keep us from growing weary and losing heart. The practice of Christian hospitality is the means by which true community is created, though it is costly for all involved (93-94).
Amen! And how true for our labors with future and current healthcare professionals. Meredith, who is now entering her second year at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine and member of the student leadership team, writes:
Before I started school, I prayed for a group of believers to walk through medical school with me. The Lord has provided far above my expectations with our Christian Medical Society (CMS) / CMDA community! CMS has been a source of encouragement, accountability, spiritual growth and meaningful friendships. I am so grateful!
Join me in praying for students entering campuses and residents continuing to find their way in new locations across the Northeast to become connected with the People of God. If you desire connection or assist in connecting / mentoring hospitality, please contact me. When time permits, give prayerful consideration to being part of the CMDA Northeast community at the upcoming Annual Conference on October 28-30. Thank you.
Keep worshiping, fixing your eyes on, and pressing on in the upward hope of Christ Jesus. To God be the glory!
*Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia is a thought provoking author and is the Founder and President of Leadership Transformations, Inc (LTI). LTI focuses on the spiritual formation needs of leaders and the spiritual discernment processes of leadership teams in local church and parachurch ministry settings nationwide. He is also the Director of the Pierce Center for Discipleship-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Ruth, live in beautiful Lexington, MA and enjoy spending time with their two grown children and three beloved grandchildren.
