There seems to be some question as to how Hospitality should be handled in the Workplace. Here are a few items for consideration:

Material:

Christians are allowed to layout Christian Material in the Workplace, if there is a designated area where other materials are being displayed or distributed. If there are issues about this in your work place, please report those problems to Personnel and your local Pastors until the problems are properly addressed and corrected.
 

Socials:

Christians are not obligated to “be nice” or to “naturally conform” to a work place’s form of socialization, especially if it is offensive (ex. halloween). It is not recommended that Christians “celebrate” halloween, especially in the work place. Christian “celebrations” should be kept simple and reverent. Do not fall into the trap of exchanging presents with someone of the opposite sex in the work place. Make your rules known (according to “the rules” outlined in The Bible). If you do not want to participate in “legalistic birthday clubs”, don’t. Make your own friends, collect their birthdates (if you wish) and keep a personal notebook, but only if you are of the same gender. Be careful not to become legalistic with “your own rules”. Prayerfully consider all “social transactions”. One year you may feel lead “by the Spirit” to give a friend a birthday card, the next year you may not.

It is not recommended that Christians socialize with the opposite sex beyond the bounds of “professional transactions” or “professional lunches”. Lunches should be for personal time spent alone, with family members, or with friends or co-workers of the same sex. If married, it is not recommended that lunches be spent with the opposite sex. If both are single and desire a personal relationship outside the bounds of professional transactions, it is recommended that you both seek counsel from your local pastors, since pursuing a personal relationship within the work place could lead to misunderstandings and other professional problems later on down the road. If someone of the opposite sex in your place of work seems to need a personal friend, seek your local Pastors for counsel for them. See the document entitled “Social Hospitality” (within this Chapter) for more details on “how to” and “how not to” counsel someone of the opposite sex.
 

Coffee or Tea Tables and Snack Bars:

Sample sheets are attached for an example of “How to Operate” “Work Place Coffee or Tea Tables” and “Work Place Snack Bars”. Many offices get way too legalistic about their Coffee or Tea Tables and Snack Bars, charging money with a “legalistic accounting system”, not sharing, and constantly complaining about “who is suppose to” make the coffee and perform clean-up duties.

The simple techniques outlined on the attached sheets make allowances for the fact that there may be Visitors or Staffers that simple do not have the money (for a season of their life) to donate for coffee, tea or snacks. As Christians, we need to be sensitive to these issues, showing Grace and Mercy. These simple techniques also cut back on overall hassles, creating a more friendly, less legalistic environment in which to “live and move and have our being”. As others witness the fairness and the justice in your “Christian Hospitality”, be prepared for them to approach you, testing “the waters” of Christianity, possibility in Hopes of finding someone they can trust and confide in. Be prepared to befriend and counsel them. Do not be offended or offensive. See the document entitled “Social Hospitality” for more details on “how to” and “how not to” counsel someone.

Supplies can be purchased in bulk at local Food Warehouses to keep the cost down. This is also a good way to introduce others in your place of work to the Food Warehouses that may be available in your area so they can in turn begin to save money on their home grocery bills by purchasing food and other household items at wholesale.

A simple coffee pot can be purchased for $10 (maybe an initial goodwill offering on your part). Donations (coins and/or supply donations) can be made “at will” by those participating. Just keep track of the coin donations and use them to purchase more supplies or a new coffee pot. Consider these transactions an “offering” to The Lord and He will honor your “offerings” in so many other ways. Do not allow other’s complaints or frustrations to distract you, just keep on serving them in humility and ask them to do what they feel comfortable doing, but do not allow them to change or take away your “Spirit of Hospitality”. This type of “honor system” will help others to increase their level of integrity and hospitality. Over a period of time the Holy Spirit will move in people’s lives and you will witness breakthroughs, as you continue practicing patience, kindness and gentleness with others.
 

Matthew 25:34-40 – Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you have me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’.