Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others [Paperback]

Pat Ennis (Author), Lisa Tatlock (Author), Dorothy Kelley Patterson (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 2008

What makes a person or a home hospitable? Does hospitality call for a beautifully decorated home and a menu filled with gourmet foods, or can it be as simple as offering a friend a cup of tea?

In Practicing Hospitality two longtime professors (and practitioners!) of home economics provide both the theological base and the practical knowledge to understand and implement God's plan for hospitality. They provide a blend of theologically sound content, real-life illustrations, and practical application. They focus on developing both the Christian character and practical skills so the act of hospitality is a joy for the host and hostess and a source of encouragement for the guest.

Each chapter concludes with recipes and projects that provide readers with an opportunity to personally apply the book's content. Anyone seeking to grow in their knowledge of biblical hospitality will be richly rewarded by the biblical teaching and practical suggestions in this book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock have served a rich fare of biblical teaching and practical application. With comprehensive scope and depth, this book provides tremendous motivation for obeying the biblical commands to practice hospitality-motivation rooted in the character and ways of God himself. Each chapter concludes with insightful questions and Bible studies, as well as practical tips and recipes. Practicing Hospitality will help readers grow in understanding and carrying out the biblical mandate of Christian hospitality in ways that honor the Lord."
Bruce A. Ware, Professor of Christian Theology, Southern Baptist Theological Semnary, and Jo Diane Ware, homemaker

"This book will be a valuable tool not only for those starting out, but also for those who have already mastered the beauty of hospitality. Most assuredly, they will gain new tips and insights. Highly recommended!"
Donna Morley, Faith & Reason Forum

"In a world where it's easy to focus on my needs and my wants, Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock draw the reader away from self and toward others. Practicing Hospitality inspires you to model biblical love and equips you with practical, easy-to-apply advice."
Glynnis Whitwer, author, Work@home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work at Home; Senior Editor, P31 Woman magazine

"I realized quickly while in the Home Economics program that Dr. Ennis and Dr. Tatlock practice the kind of hospitality they teach. In Practicing Hospitality the authors offer us a rich biblical and practical volume, and its principles will prove to be a blessing to Christian women who seek to implement them."
Robin Contreras, pastor's wife, missionary, homemaker

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Review

"Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock have served a rich fare of biblical teaching and practical application. With comprehensive scope and depth, this book provides tremendous motivation for obeying the biblical commands to practice hospitality-motivation rooted in the character and ways of God himself. Each chapter concludes with insightful questions and Bible studies, as well as practical tips and recipes. Practicing Hospitality will help readers grow in understanding and carrying out the biblical mandate of Christian hospitality in ways that honor the Lord."
—Bruce and Jo Diane Ware, Professor of Christian Theology, Southern Baptist Theological Semnary (Bruce), and Homemaker (Jo Diane)

"In a world where it's easy to focus on my needs and my wants, Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock draw the reader away from self and toward others. Practicing Hospitality inspires you to model biblical love and equips you with practical, easy-to-apply advice."
—Glynnis Whitwer, Author, Work@home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work at Home; Senior Editor, P31 Woman magazine

"I realized quickly while in the Home Economics program that Dr. Ennis and Dr. Tatlock practice the kind of hospitality they teach. In Practicing Hospitality the authors offer us a rich biblical and practical volume, and its principles will prove to be a blessing to Christian women who seek to implement them."
—Robin Contreras, Pastor's Wife, Missionary, Homemaker

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Crossway (January 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581349424
• ISBN-13: 978-1581349429
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 0.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!!! April 7, 2009

By Ashley Wells

Format:Paperback

This book has taught me so much! My mother worked a lot growing up and didn't really get to teach me all the "homemaker" skills that I would love to have. So, I have been looking to books to learn more about my role as a wife, keeper of the home, and future mother. This book has taught me so much about hospitality and the ministry that a woman can have from her home.

This book is going to be one that I refer people to for a long time! I am a social butterfly by nature, but I have never fully considered the impact that hospitality could have on eternity!

Since Michael and I have been married we have been having people over for dinners, game nights, and other special events. But, we never fully took advantage of the time to further God's kingdom!

After reading this book I have such a different perspective on hospitality. The book is full of practical tips to help you focus more on God than on you, your home, your food, etc... Hospitality is all about showing God's love in a practical way. This book helped me to see this in such a powerful way!

I will never look at a dinner with guests or game night the same way again! I am always going to try to lay our events at the feet of Jesus, shower them with prayer, and point to Him before, during, and after!

This book will challenge you to use your home as a center for evangelism at every opportunity you can! Do not miss your change to read this book!!!

For more book reviews, visit my blog at [...]

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and thought-provoking February 22, 2008

By Lydia E. Harris

Format:Paperback

I appreciated the emphasis on orderliness rather than perfectionism in the home, the importance of establishing family traditions, and the many practical tips to prepare ahead for unexpected guests. I also valued the information about the cultural differences to consider when sharing my home with internationals.

Suitable for individual reading or group study, this meaty book presents the why of hospitality as well as practical how-to suggestions. The authors encourage you to pray, plan, organize, and serve. No matter what your age or stage of life or how much you've already practiced hospitality, you're certain to glean new insights from this useful tool.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Hostess With The Mostest" February 13, 2008

By Deborah Zacharoff

Format:Paperback

Practicing Hospitality, The Joy Of Serving Others, is an excellent book for the woman who wants to grow socially, spiritually, and practically in being a gracious hostess in every area of her life. This book challenges you to reach out in serving not only your friends and neighbors, but your new acquaintances as well. This book would serve well as a women's study text, or personal devotional book! Dr. Ennis, and Dr. Tatlock also have added areas for questions and answers for discussions. This is also a party planning guide, with recipes included!This book is a must read for women who want to be the "Hostess with the Mostest" of today! Deborah Zacharoff MAed, Home Economist, teacher

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible book! September 22, 2008

By Nicole E. Farrell

Format:Paperback

This book has me thinking about entertaining and hospitality from a totally new perspective, which is exactly what I hoped for when I purchased it. I have a very small home, am usually busy with my 1.5-year-old (who has special needs), and often experience great anxiety when people just "stop by." I really wanted to ease that anxiety and follow God's numerous commands to practice hospitality. I now realize that I don't need a large home with a guest room, loads of fancy food, or every beverage under the sun ready and waiting.

The scriptural references throughout the book helped make my heart open to the suggestions of the authors, and I am now feeling much more confident about not only making my home available to those who stop by of their own accord, but actually reaching out on my own and inviting people over. I will be recommending this book to lots of friends and family!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hospitality Is a Little Bit of Heaven! April 3, 2008

By Lynn D. Morrissey

Format:Paperback

'While it is said, "You can't tell a book by its cover," the unique cover of Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others certainly hints at its contents. When I first saw this wonderful book, I did a double-take. Pictured on the cover is a house, with a door opening to the inside. Surprisingly, rather than glimpsing walls or furniture, I saw a cornflower-blue sky punctuated with white cotton-puff clouds. Authors Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock understand that biblical hospitality is not the art of entertaining in elaborately decorated houses, but rather, by
the power of the Holy Spirit, the art of offering our guests generous portions of "heaven on earth in our homes." Now that should cause a double-take in your attitude, and free you from the burden of worrying over expense and perfection. When we offer hospitality in the Lord, He
frees us to serve others not just with an open door, but an open heart. Practicing Hospitality helps show you how, because it is firmly founded on Scriptural principles sure to guide you in bestowing God's hospitality to family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. What I loved about Ennis's and Tatlock's concepts is that they serve hospitality whole on a platter of Scriptural principles and simple practices. I learned so much, and I'd be hard-pressed to know what they might have left out. Their comprehensive compendium covers numerous aspects of hospitality,from how it relates to character, culture, ministry, managing one's home, and welcoming family, friends, and strangers in Christ's name. Moreover, Ennis and Tatlock are hospitable themselves in how they write from both a warm and wise perspective. As an extra bonus, they even offer scrumptious recipes to try out on your guests. What's not to like?... Buy this book for
you, your friends, and those strangers who will become friends as you open your heart and home to them, in the name of Christ.
--Lynn D. Morrissey, CLASS/AWSA speaker and author of Love Letters to God: Deeper Intimacy through Written Prayer Read more ›