How to Practice Hospitality (an interview with Amber Williams)

Practicing biblical hospitality is a vital skill for ministry wives and all Christians to cultivate but can sometimes seem daunting. Amber Williams has a heart for hospitality and shares with me how she and her family live a life of welcome. She offers us practical (and simple) ways we, too, can honor others with our presence. Amber has been a pastor’s wife for almost 13 years and lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband and five beautiful children. She speaks Spanish and loves cooking and baking, but more than anything, enjoys opening her home to people from every walk of life. EPISODE GUIDE  1. Biblical hospitality is not a picture perfect home and an elaborate meal. Hospitality is about making time and space for people, whether there’s a meal, coffee, or simple conversation. Do not underestimate the power of presence. When we make space in our busy lives for others, it speaks volumes. You don’t have to have a Bible study every time, but invite Jesus into the space and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s presence. “Biblical hospitality is really about being an inviting space where people can come in and be valued, fill up, and also have an opportunity to meet Jesus.” — Amber Williams 2. Prepare your hearts and home as a family before hosting. Make heart prep a family affair: pray, read a liturgy or Scripture, and discuss the goals to serve and encourage guests. Establish boundaries and areas that may be off limits. Set aside or put away toys/items that are valuable, to ensure everyone has a great experience. “One of the prayers that we often say as a family is, ‘We want to be a life-giving presence to whoever comes into our home tonight.’” — Amber Williams 3. Look for opportunities to practice hospitality, but recognize when your family needs a break. Introduce yourself to someone new after church and begin building relationships. Hospitality can happen while you do life. Be open to allowing others in while you cook or do the dishes. Take inventory of where your family is. It’s okay to say “no” or “we need a break” sometimes. “Biblical hospitality is about being a “there YOU are” person instead of a “here I am” person. Instead of waiting for someone to come toward me, I’m going to go toward them and seek to make them feel honored and at home.” — Christine Hoover “I can be hospitable while life is still going on. Life doesn’t have to stop in order to be hospitable and I think that that’s important for people to see too. Young people, singles, ‘Come join me while I’m doing life, and we can talk.’” — Amber Williams QUOTES “The greatest sermon we can ever preach is just living our lives as Christians in front of other people. That has been the most impactful for me in my own life, watching people live their lives. I’m not saying we put ourselves on the stage and perform perfectly, but they’re seeing an applied sermon, an applied gospel lived out around the table or on the couch or wherever.” — Christine Hoover LINKS FROM THE SHOW Head over to www.ministrywivespodcast.com to check out the great content already on the site! Books: Every Moment Holy and The Gospel Comes with a House Key CONNECT Connect with Amber Email Connect with Christine Facebook // Instagram // Books Visit How to Thrive as a Pastor’s Wife to access Christine’s resources for ministry wives like you!