Editor’s note:  We realize that the reality of COVID-19 may directly impact your ability to practice in-person hospitality.  We encourage you to please use wisdom and caution as you consider how to best interact with your family, friends and neighbors, but we still feel this is a helpful message to share. 

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This time of year, stores are typically filled with parents and their children participating in the annual tradition of “back to school” shopping. As I have found over the years, fads and styles come and go, and often mysteriously repeat themselves every generation. Yes, I’m referring to the high waisted pants I wore in the early 90’s now making a strong comeback! Only now they are called mom jeans, which I definitely take as a compliment. 

It seems that what is in style one season usually has a challenging time surviving into the next season. And style change is not limited to clothing. Whether in the world of fashion, technology or fitness trends, things are always moving and changing. However, the one thing that never goes out of style is our need for connection. Our desire for community runs deep because God created us to be in relationship with others. 

We are wired in a unique way to love others, and this uniqueness is what shapes each of our hospitality personalities. Your hospitality personality is the style in which you prefer to socialize and the ways of hosting that feel the most comfortable and natural to you. Which one looks like your hospitality personality? 

Leader: decisive, assertive, confident, focused, strong-willed

You like to be in charge, and you feel confident with calling the shots – not in a bossy sort of a way but in a “let’s get things done” sort of way. People regularly look to you to grab the reins and get things started. You enjoy hosting and are extremely good at delegating and leading the charge. You lead gatherings well, and hospitality is something you do almost seamlessly.

Entertainer: optimistic, spontaneous, inspirational, expressive, motivational

You are the life of the party. You love spending time socializing with others. You are not hyper-focused about the details, but you are definitely the one people count on for the laughter and jokes. You love telling stories and talking to new people. Social settings are typically very energizing to you. People want you at their parties because you bring the fun!

Includer: diplomatic, accepting, welcoming, inclusive, nurturing

You appreciate all things centered on the table and find beauty in connection. You love creating a cozy atmosphere and making people feel loved and cared for. From pillows, to candles, to providing slippers for your guests, you love curating a warm and welcoming environment. You are determined to make people a priority and your loved ones know with certainty that they are a priority to you.

Organizer: practical, detailed, consistent, thorough, responsible

You are a detailed host and planning all the things is your jam. You generally enjoy your hosting time more when you’ve done as much as you can beforehand. You automatically know what needs to be done and/or you make sure there is a structured plan in place. People look to you to take care of the specifics.  

On the hosting continuum, there is reluctant, ready, and everywhere in between. Reluctant hosting means you tend to feel hesitant when extending an invite or hosting a gathering. Whereas, ready hosting means you tend to feel energized and motivated when planning to host or coordinate social activities. Wherever you fall on the hosting continuum, whether you gravitate more towards one end of the spectrum as a reluctant host or the other end as a ready host, or find yourself somewhere smack dab in the middle – you have a hospitality personality, and it impacts how you approach hosting. 

Identifying your hospitality personality will help you to better understand your strengths and weaknesses within how you share hospitality. When you recognize your natural tendencies, it can help encourage you to be a more comfortable and confident host. And likewise, when you are aware of the areas that come less naturally to you, you may want to consider leaning on someone else’s hospitality personality.  

Hospitality is a gift, an act of love, and an opportunity to bless others. It is telling others you want to spend time with them and you desire a relationship. Whatever style of hospitality you choose to extend, choose to play to the strengths of your hospitality personality. When you use the gifts God has given you, you will be a blessing to others. Hospitality, connection and community are always in style!   

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  

Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)

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Love a good GIVEAWAY?  

Share your answers to one or both of the questions below with us in the comments and be entered to win a copy of Your Hospitality Personality by Morgan Tyree.  The winner will be announced in our newsletter next week.  Don’t get our newsletter?  Sign up here!

• What type of hospitality personality are you?
• As you consider your hospitality personality type, what is one action step you can take to better prepare the next time you have the opportunity to practice hospitality?