Hospitality is intimidating to many of us. But this down-to-earth book gives you the reasons why we should be hospitable, what it means to our culture, and how to be evangelistic without being pushy. In my rural area, it’s hard for me to host gatherings for “city” people who don’t want to drive out this far. I liked the flexible ideas for hosting, which includes being hospitable outside of your home. For example, the book confirmed my idea to host a small group meetup at Panera since it’s in a centralized location. I loved the practical ideas in this biblically grounded book.

Favorite quote:

“Learn how to speak the gospel naturally in the overall flow of relationship, and your friends and neighbors are much more likely to listen attentively.”

I received a preview copy of The Simplest Way to Change the World from Netgalley.

I had every intention of reading this book and writing an honest review but it expired before I had the chance. My apologies, If you like to resend it to me I would be happy to get it reviewed,

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This book talks about how our homes can be leveraged and optimised to incrementally change the world around us by hosting those in close proximity (i.e. Opening up our homes for hospitable purposes).
Initially I did not agree with the premise of this book. I fall in the bracket of introverts who enjoy their home space being their sacred haven.

As Dustin and Brandon continued with their position about our homes being an avenue to show hospitality, I began to warm up to the idea.

This book is based on the Christian faith that recognises the value of community and neighbourliness.

I particular liked how the writers have practical steps and resources to encourage hospitality.

Rating: 4/5

Favourite Quote: "Hospitality presents a wonderful way to get to know other people—and what do people do when they get to know one another? They tell stories."

Change the world? Is that really possible? Would that require a lot of money or human resources? For many people, changing their own neighborhood might be a miracle already. Rather than launching gigantic projects or to pour huge sums of money into some huge infrastructural plan, it is actually quite simple. It takes one to start. It takes one to invite another. It simply takes one individual to share love and goodness with another, one at a time. For authors Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements, it is possible one neighbour at a time. More importantly, it begins with one's heart of hospitality. After all, hospitality is a biblical exhortation. Indeed, the world is changed by the Living Word and how the Word lives in the people who claim to believe it.

They first describe the potential of biblical hospitality. Opportunities lurk at workplaces; hobby locations; social environments; homes; etc. It could be as small as inviting someone over for a cup of coffee or being welcoming in how we greet people. It is about engaging people intentionally. Unfortunately, we have become misinformed or misguided about what hospitality means. For some it means coming up against some of our comfort activities like isolation with our own digital devices. We give excuses that hospitality runs against our need for personal relaxation and entertainment. Busyness could also hinder our cause. These four cultural currents need to be overcome. It begins with God to know that God has created a home for all people. This home is to be shared. This home is to be occupied by a hospitable people who see opportunities rather than obstacles in the establishment of a culture of hospitality. Opportunities such as:

Meeting the need for relational depth among people
Moving toward an appropriate way to connect amid a changing culture
Mission of hospitality not just as an activity but a way of life
The second part of the book shows us the nitty-gritty of how we can accomplish these potential. We need to avoid becoming derailed by big plans and forget about the effectiveness of small-scale and simple hospitality. I like the reference to Skye Jethani's argument:
"We’ve fallen into the conventional thinking that a big mission demands big tactics, but we forget that in the economy of God’s kingdom, big does not beget big. It’s precisely the opposite. The overwhelming message of Jesus’ life and teaching is that small begets big. Consider, God’s plan to redeem creation (big) is achieved through his incarnation as an impoverished baby (small). Jesus feeds thousands on a hillside (big) with just a few fish and loaves (small). Christ seeks to make disciples of all nations (big) and he starts with a handful of fishermen (small). Even Goliath (big) is defeated by David with a few stones (small)."
Hospitality is that 'small' act of kindness that can reap huge dividends. The difference is God's hand at work. Life is a lot of little things all put together. Our meals; hobbies; work; friendship circles; and even social media are opportunities to reach out and be a good neighbour. There is a touching story of a guy named Landon who befriends an ostracized boy named TJ. Through acceptance and plain hospitality, not only was he able to help him get back on the right track, he wins him to Christ too. It reminds me of the story of the Blind Side where hospitality not only gives back dignity to a down and out boy, it helps him to achieve his higher potential. The authors show us some ways in which we put our own barriers. We tend to give excuses like:
What if people don't like us?
What if my house is a wreck?
What if I don't have the gift of entertainment?
What if I don't know how to cook?
What if my house is too small or I have kids?
and so on..
Truth is, we can use it as an opportunity to invite other believers to help. We can plan ahead. We can make things simple. We can begin with the ones close to us. We can initiate conversations that lead to invitations. We can go outside regularly. We can also use technology means. We can build weekly rhythms, and so on. Even popular TV shows can be used as a magnet for inviting people to our homes to watch. Rhythms can be adopted in weekly, monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly activities. Finally, we get some insight on how to get to the gospel.

So What?
Reading this book makes me believe that hospitality is one of the most uttered but least practiced aspect of Christianity. We sometimes need a kick on our backside in order to be spurred to do such good works. In a world of isolation and individualism, we need to buck the trend by choosing to engage in a culture of disengagement. We can choose to embody the presence of Christ even as people are increasingly being disembodied by a technological world which appears close but feels far. We can inculcate a spirit of community even as we wrestle with constant propaganda about personal rights and individual freedoms. All it takes is love for our neighbour and this love will set us free from excuses, free from petty needs, and free from retreating back into our private homes. How then can we build communities and open friendships amid a "Private and Confidential" world? Be hospitable and keep being hospitable regardless of the discouraging results.

Hospitality according to Willis and Clements is the simplest way to change the world. That said, the concept is simple but the practice of it needs to overcome several hurdles. Hurdles that they have clearly pointed out in chapter two. Other hurdles include a lack of theological understanding and missing the opportunities to connect because we have become too inward-looking. My advice is: Start small. Do it as regularly as possible. Work together with another like-minded couple or family to start the ball rolling. By practicing hospitality first with familiar faces and people, we learn the ropes of what it means to serve. As we do this more and more, perhaps, we can let God show us even greater things. The key is to start where we are with who we already know with what we already have. We leave the problems of lack to God who has promised to be faithful to us. If you are looking to be more effective as a witness, hospitality is not only effective, it is biblical.

Dustin Willis currently serves as Executive Director of Marketing with the North American Mission Board and speaks across North America. Dustin earned his bachelor's degree in marketing from Clemson University and his master's degree from Liberty Theological Seminary. Brandon Clements is pastor at Midtown Fellowship in Columbia, South Carolina. He blogs at dearbiblebelt.com and is married with three children.

The book's website can be found here.

Rating: 4.75 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Moody Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

I'll admit. I'm an introvert. I found this book to be quite challenging. This book proposes that simple hospitality is the way to change the world, and I know that's true. But I get caught up in my own busy life and hung up on my house not being like Better Homes and Gardens and my cooking being less than Food Network star status. This book showed me how to change my attitudes from focusing on my own insecurities and instead, seeing my home as a haven to others, simply by inviting them into my regular life. It gave practical, actionable steps that will enable me to begin practicing hospitality and impacting the lives of others with the Gospel. I especially liked the idea of "reverse hospitality," that is, taking hospitality to others that may not be able to enter your home. We have a few friends who are shut-ins and/or disabled and unable to negotiate the stairs in our home. This gave me ideas of how to minister to these folks better.

I gratefully received this book as an eARC from the authors, publisher, and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

The Simplest Way to Change the World by Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements takes a God inspired idea; showing how it would work in the too complex and too hurried society of today. It reminded me of times back in the 60’s for Christians before cell phones and social media. As a child, I remember, prayer meetings in homes with dessert and fellowship afterwards, then also inviting people, not just family in for meals and time spend getting to know others. Today we have the appearance of being connected to others without really being so. This book helps Christians to understand “Biblical Hospitality as a Way of Life”.

The Simplest Way to Change the World is clearly and interestingly written with practical ideas. I liked the intentional plans to incorporate these Biblical principles into an individual or family’s lifestyle. I especially like the questions to consider at the end of each chapter. While these are not written for a discussion group as such, they would work well if several read the book in a small group, brainstorming on how to incorporate hospitality back into the church and their personal lives. So now I plan to recommend this book to our church’s small group director .

The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.

The Simplest Way to Change the World

by Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements

Why would an introvert with no gift for entertaining read a book on hospitality? True confession: when I clicked on a link in an email to see what the book was about, I was unknowingly requesting a review copy of the book. I have to admit I was intrigued by the subtitle: Biblical Hospitality as a Way of Life, and I had to wonder if maybe, just maybe, God was drawing me out of my comfort zone to show me a way that I could share the love of Jesus with others as a part of my daily life.

The Simplest Way to Change the World presents a biblical basis, both historically and scripturally, for hospitality: making your home, yard, and life open for engaging conversations with both non-Christians and other Christians. It shares the difference between entertaining (a high pressure show to convince others of your worth) and hospitality (opening your heart to others). A discussion of the rhythms of your life shows how to include others in what you and your family are already doing and also to intentionally create opportunities to include others. In addition, there are suggestions for “reverse hospitality”--how to share Jesus’ love with those who are uncomfortable with an invitation into your home or are physically unable to leave their own residence.

The authors include anecdotes from their own experiences as well as tales related by family and friends who are sharing their homes, lives, and hearts with others. They emphasize that hospitality can be planned or spontaneous, and they point out that Jesus’ ministry was not a three step plan, complete with PowerPoint, to bring people into a physical church building. Instead, He wandered from place to place, listening, sharing, and meeting people’s needs.

This is not a difficult read, not a philosophical or religious treatise. It is practical, sometimes humorous, and always interesting. It stimulates readers to think of ways they can use hospitality in their own circumstances, where God has located them, and with the people He brings into their lives. At the end of the book there is a helpful study guide for those who want to use this tool as a church or in a small group setting to learn about hospitality.

And as to the mouse click that brought The Simplest Way to Change the World to my iPad? No regrets here! Reading this book was a blessing.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Moody Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Christian, Nonfiction

Publication: February 1, 2017--Moody Publishing

Memorable Lines:

And while the everyday use of our homes to welcome others may not feel like the most exciting cause in the world, we must remember that ordinary does not equal insignificant.

As you simply listen well, you practice Christ’s compassion. The world is full of people who halfway listen to others just so they can take their turn talking next.

But the voice of God sang a sanguine love song in the rubble of my world.

The end goal of hospitality is care and healing--we do the caring and Jesus does the healing.

Practicing A Hospitable Lifestyle Will Not Happen By Accident

In THE SIMPLEST WAY TO CHANGE THE WORLD, Dustin and Brandon argue that hospitality is "the secret weapon for gospel advancement." The authors exhort Christians to consider hospitality as a great way to spread the Gospel. If we do, "There’s no telling what could happen."

It's very tough to make hospitality a habit. Our culture does not promote hospitality. In fact, "almost everything in our culture is set up to hinder us from pursuing it." In addition, most of us are so busy, it seems like we don't have room for welcoming others. Social media is another big barrier--it promotes an illusion of being connected "without really being connected in the truest sense."

Therefore, hospitality will only happen via "an intentional shift in your life and mentality." Newsflash: "our neighbors don’t live in your house. So if you never leave your humble abode, you’ll never meet any of your neighbors."

Just by opening your home, you "welcome prodigal sons and daughters back into His family. You are turning your home into a wartime hospital where the spiritually hurting can get the hope and care they need."

Section 2 of the book focuses on practical ways to implement hospitality. See especially, Chapter 7 "Setting Yourself Up For Success." The authors suggest you "Create A System" and "Start With Who You Know ." To get started, try inviting folks you know, or your closest neighbors to a simple dinner. What about church? Are there people there looking for friends?

Here's one great idea--the authors call it the "Always Rule." If you see a neighbor you don't know, "pause whatever you’re doing and meet them." I thought this was an excellent idea. I love the "Always Rule."

Each chapter concludes with practical "Questions To Consider." For example, "How do you view your home?" and "Are you more prone to see it as a place of retreat or as a weapon for the gospel?"

All in all, I found THE SIMPLEST WAY TO CHANGE THE WORLD to be a useful, practical book. It's an easy read, with good ideas. The authors present an inspiring vision. I thought this one sentence summed up this book:
"Imagine if your church embraced the call to model God’s hospitality, both within the church and to those who don’t yet know Jesus."
Nicely stated.
For a similar book with a slightly different twist, I recommend Just Walk Across the Room.

Advance Review Copy courtesy of the publisher.

This is a wonderful book about how our homes have morphed from "retreats" into "fortresses" and then explores a way to create meaningful changes to help us reconnect with our families, friends and neighbors by opening your home. Excellent advice and suggestions are included.

I would highly recommend this title and, personally, intend on slipping it into gift baskets for new home owners in my hometown and congregation.