Christine D. Pohl (1950–2023)

To the early Christians, hospitality was central to the gospel mission. This hospitality did not consist of entertaining neighbors, but welcoming the stranger, especially those who could not return the favor. Yet despite urgent need, hospitality has fallen by the wayside.

Christine Pohl’s classic work, Making Room, first spoke to this issue in 1999. And it is just as relevant today, with the refugee crisis, the rise in homelessness, and growing loneliness and isolation. This revitalized show more edition, with a new foreword and afterword by the author, introduces the theology of hospitality to a new generation. Pohl combines rich biblical and historical research with experience in contemporary Christian communities, including the Catholic Worker, L’Abri, Good Works, Inc., and others.
Pragmatic and thoughtful, Pohl deals frankly with both the blessings and the boundaries of hospitality. Readers will find a wealth of wisdom to revive authentic hospitality in their ministry. (Pub

Author Bio
Christine D. Pohl (1950–2023) was professor emerita of Christian ethics at Asbury Theological Seminary. She authored numerous articles and books, most notably Living into Community: Cultivating Practices That Sustain Us and (with Keith Wasserman) Good Works: Hospitality and Faithful Discipleship. show less

Really interesting look at hospitality. Historically practising hospitality was central to Christian identity but it began to be lost from C17, So what is it? - more than showing hospitality to friends and family - and how can we rediscover it?

Pohl combines biblical and historical research while looking at contemporary communities, hoping to help readers and small groups make the practice of hospitality a bigger part of their daily lives.

Although somewhat repetitive, this book was still a very important read. I definitely needed to read about many of the things she had to say, because there is much to be learned about shaping your heart in a way that will open yourselves to others and be used to share Jesus with others as well as experience Him at your door. Wonderful words in here.