Hospitality Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy

For us, Taco Bell has become a surprising place of sacred hospitality.

Eating with others has become an essential practice for us as a family. It’s not just about food. Eating together is one way of learning that life is about slowing down and learning to live in community.

We’ve made it a habit to have family movie night and to eat with others.

A Big Change in Our Schedule

For about two years, I worked on Sundays, mostly slinging hoagies (learn more about me). Recently, I made some changes to my schedule so it lines up with Jeff’s and our kids’ school schedules better. Side note, I was super nervous to ask for the change, but it was granted, and honestly, it has turned out to be one of the best decisions for our family.

A More Peaceful Weekend With Hospitality

Now Saturdays and Sundays feel calmer. On Saturdays, we do something together as a family before we come home for evening sermon prep, and other prep for Sunday morning as church leaders. It is also our family movie night. Sundays have their own rhythm too, with worship, rest, and time with others. The time with others is quickly becoming one of our favorite times of the week. Our kids look forward to the sacred space that happens at Taco Bell (and Subway, etc).

Our House and Hospitality

We love having people over. However, our house isn’t fancy. It needs a lot of work. Our walls are mustard; the previous owners left some bad drywall jobs, and our windows and window sills needed to be replaced five years ago. Because of that, we’ve been slow to invite people over. The Super Bowl Party we host with our closest friends is a little different, but feeling good about getting others into our small house with destructive pets and kids is another story. We still love hospitality. Someday we hope to renovate, but for now we’ve been learning to use “third spaces” instead of our own home.

Guess what. Taco Bell can become a place of sacred hospitality.

Hospitality in the Bible

Hospitality has always been central to the church and to Christian leadership. As we navigate the simple church life at River Corner Church, we’ve realized that not everyone has big resources or polished homes—but hospitality still matters.

However, hospitality still needs to happen.

The Bible has a lot to say about hospitality. In Acts, the early church ate together often; for example, Acts 2:46 says they broke bread in their homes and ate with glad hearts. In Paul’s letters, Christians are encouraged to open their homes and share meals. For example, in Romans 12:13, he tells believers to “practice hospitality.” Early church writings, like the Didache, also show how central hospitality was to the life of faith; for example, it gives instructions on welcoming traveling teachers and strangers into the community.

The Table Is a Place of Care

Meals are one of the simplest ways to care for others. And they don’t have to be fancy. For us, places like Subway and Taco Bell have become our living room. These are the spots where we sit, talk, and share life with people.

Our kids now ask almost every week, ‘Who are we going out with this Sunday?’ It has become something they look forward to. These meals on Sundays are a special time with friends. Sometimes it is one family, and sometimes it is a few. Our kids are learning that friendship and community are a regular part of following Jesus. Sharing a table has become just as meaningful for them as it is for us.

Doing Life With Others

Maybe you can’t host right now. That’s okay. What matters is making space to do life with others. Even if your house is simple or not what you wish it was, there are still ways to create a sacred space with others. Hospitality is essential, especially with your church family; don’t miss the easy chances to connect. As I keep saying, our local Taco Bell has even become a meeting place. There have been times when, on some Sunday afternoons, we gather with four different groups of friends. I think our Taco Bell is learning to know us fairly well from this, and that is missional in its own way.

Simple and Shared

Hospitality doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be in an ideal home. What matters most is being together, sharing life, and making space at the table.

• As you think about your own rhythms, I encourage you to share a meal with someone outside your household each week. It could be a neighbor, a friend from church, or even a co-worker. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just being together matters.
• I also encourage you to see hospitality as presence, not perfection. Don’t wait for the perfect house, the perfect table, or the perfect timing. People need your time and care more than anything else.
• I encourage you to look for “third spaces” as opportunities. Pay attention to the everyday places—like a park bench, a coffee shop, or a fast-food booth—where community can grow if you simply show up with openness.

At least try to find a Taco Bell near you after church, and invite someone to gather with you.