Hospitality and the Ozarkian culture shift.

We have been studying the identity of a Christ-follower the last several weeks in a series entitled “Ethos.” The final sermon in the series was entitled “life as a steward,” how Christians live “in God’s kingdom for his mission.” Life as a steward for the Christian is the foundation for all missional expression, every moment of time, ounce of expended energy, and dime of monetary resource invested for eternal impact.

Yesterday morning, I was interviewed by a local TV station about changes occurring in the church in our region. One of the reasons I offered for the changes was due to the cultural shift that we find ourselves in. Southwest Missouri is a culture in transition. It feels like a rarity to meet someone who has lived here more than 8-10 years. Even more rare is to meet someone who was born here.

I qualify, light-heartedly, the categories of residents in the Ozarks this way:

• Newbies have lived here less than five years.
• Locals have been here 10+ years.
• Natives have lived here 15+ years.
• Hillbillies, the highest strata of all Ozarkian culture, have lived here 25+ years with more than two generations still present.

The growth of our city has been rapid, and though it has slowed in the last few years, it continues to grow even against the economic challenges. There are many reasons to move to the Ozarks: LifePoint (I may be a bit biased), overall quality of life, low crime rate, family atmosphere, more stable economy, lower cost of living, great healthcare, etc. The Ozarks is a great place to live.

And whatever the reason may be, many are coming. One of the most exciting aspects about the Ozarks, in my opinion, is the culture. The Ozarks is a culture in transition. People from all over the U.S. and beyond are moving here. In this shift many find themselves isolated from familiarities of home, security of family and connectedness of friends. Even some who have lived here all their lives find themselves experiencing this.

Here the church has the greatest potential to shine the gospel. We have found this to be true at LifePoint. As I worked today on a specific need of housing for one relatively new to the area, I was reminded of the impact we are having by addressing this need in the culture. Many have opened their homes, given their resources, and invested their lives to welcome others in and care for them. The almost immediate response today has been amazing. I am thankful for this expression of grace. I concluded this week’s sermon with this statement:

The kingdom of God is not so much about “what you live in” here on earth as much as it is about “what lives in you.”

Can there be a more powerful “first impression” expression of the gospel than warm hospitality? I am so thankful for all God is doing among LifePoint on this our eighth anniversary weekend. May he pour us out in greater measure to serve his kingdom mission. May the gospel of Jesus Christ be at the center of our serving.

because Jesus lives…Pastor Lane