A home in the mission field

Churches that recognize they work in a mission field are most apt to be open to their community, and to first-time worship guests. When the congregation sees its primary focus as taking care of the spiritual needs of "our own," an invisible wall is built that is almost impossible for newcomers to negotiate. In these situations, 'koinonitis' -- too much koinonia (fellowship) -- crowds out the hospitality to strangers extolled in scripture.