Guest Considerations

[Gatherings – V]Consider these assumptions about gatherings:

1. 1. A host and guest is a different role. The guests receive and the host gives.
   2. Invitees become attenders when they arrive at the gathering.
   3. Being at the gathering means not being somewhere else.

All three are unhelpful and mostly wrong.Host and guest are different, sure. But contribution is a large part of what makes a gatherings meaningful. Obviously, bringing a side-dish to dinner counts, but think more broadly than that. Samples, stories, data, pictures, scents, gifts, crafts, lyrics, instruments, art: the possibilities abound for how guests can connect and contribute to a gathering.Invitees become attendees the moment they get invited. Sure, they may not attend, but the gathering has entered their awareness. The inviter will either capitalize on that “place” or be forgotten. Leading up to the gathering is often as important as the gathering itself. Build anticipation. Be productive beforehand.Being at the gathering almost always means being somewhere else . . . so long as phones are in pockets and schedules remain busy. Our minds are on the next thing we have or the buzz from that email notification. A successful gathering is one that promotes full presence through engagement, learning, participation, interaction, and thoughtfulness. Assuming guests are present almost certainly means they are not.These apply to everything from board meetings to book clubs to worship services.