Extraordinary Hospitality (for Ordinary People)

Courtney Reissig

The thought of hospitality makes some break out in hives and others start dusting off the serving dishes. Whichever you are, you will walk away from this book encouraged, convicted, and with practical insight into how to live out a life of welcome.

Jonathan Gemmell

I loved this book. I was expecting a guilt-fuelled, task-list-populating, exhaustion-inducing exhortation to be the-host-with-the-most. What I got was a heart-warming, rich and motivating conversation with Carolyn as we dug into the Bible and gloried in the gospel together. Rather than cajole you into dutiful hospitality, this book inspires you to joy-inducing, gospel-rich hospitality. The fruit will be seen in extraordinary hospitality being demonstrated across the church family to the glory of God.

Practical ways to practice hospitality

I really liked that Carolyn described the characteristics of hospitality and didn't make it about a list of things we should do. Her suggestions are practical without being proscriptive. I also really appreciated that she was honest about the cost of gospel-focused hospitality. It is hard to open up our homes and lives in this way. However, it is also wonderfully rewarding and can be used to point others to Jesus.... continue reading

"hospitality first and foremost is found in the Lord Himself."

Carolyn is honest and open with her own experiences which we can all relate to. Extending kindness is not always easy, it can be burdensome, inconvenient and in all honesty not always something we want to do but the focus should always be on Jesus and what it cost Him in showing kindness and mercy to us.... continue reading

“Changed my view on hospitality!”

I love this book because it makes you focus more on Jesus and his generosity and welcome to us, and less on how clean our house is or how well we can cook a meal. I was particularly encouraged by how many other ways we can show hospitality to others - it doesn’t have to be Sunday lunch! We can reflect the hospitality Jesus shows to us with our time, money, prayers, energy, and much more. I’m really grateful for this book, thank you for writing it Carolyn!

“Amazingly well timed read! Carolyn gracefully gives why after such a long and weary season!”

Like many, I wondered if I had the energy to go back into opening our home joyfully again to others. Carolyn’s well timed read not only gives encouragement to do so but gives examples of how to do so in a meaningful way…
The seven chapters are easy to read, inspirational but more importantly Christ - centred. You don’t have to be superwoman - you just have to love the Lord and the people He puts in your path!!

“Challenging and encouraging”

An excellent practical exploration of what it means to welcome like Jesus. The content challenged my view of hospitality and encouraged me to offer welcome in a new way. The book is written in a really honest and accessible way sharing biblical truths that encourage us and offering practical tips that anyone can put into practice.
I would recommend for both new Christians and those who have been in the faith for many years. It was truly a blessing to read.

“A heartwarming spur as we come out of lockdown”

This is such a wonderful read, and a real tonic and refresher as we come out of lockdown, and need to be reminded of Jesus’ welcome for us, and so therefore what it looks like for us to extend his generous, compassionate and sacrificial welcome to others. Highly recommend!

“Down-to-earth and inspiring”

This is just the right book to read if you want to think about what our priorities should be as, Lord willing, we move beyond the pandemic. Carolyn Lacey is not here to make you feel guilty or more overwhelmed, but rather to help us get the right perspective on our responsibility (and privilege) as Christians to practise hospitality. She helps us to see that our own hospitality should be a response to the incredible hospitality shown to us by the Lord Jesus. This book will bless you and those around you, I’m sure of it.

“A challenge to my view of hospitality”

Throughout this book, I was gently challenged that biblical hospitality is not just having people over for dinner, but showing them in so many different and personal ways that they are welcome in my life. Jesus has welcomed us in the most extraordinary way, this book helps us to think about how to reflect that to those around us. I am excited to put into practice some of the practical applications from the book and I pray for my heart to be oriented towards others in the way that Jesus's heart is oriented towards us.