What do you think?
Rate this book
Happy Hour: Etiquette and Advice on Holy Merriment
All good missionaries know the power of social engagement.
Whether you are called to Spain, Italy, Iceland or Portland Oregon, we now live in a pure mission field, and people won't move spiritually until they are connected socially. In other words, the Gospel will not be heard until our front doors open, our tables are set, and we practice the art of hospitality, celebration, and party.
Why has this ancient art of party been lost?
Because the church has defined holiness as 'exclusion' from the world, abstinence from food and drink, and separation from real people. In Jesus, we get to be holy as He was holy. Our inward commitments to Him remain in tact while at the same time we are deeply entrenched in the life and customs of those around us.
Part is sacrament and we must relearn and re-orient our lives around friends, food, and celebration if we are going to have any influence upon the culture right next door.
In Happy Hour Hugh will unpack the theology of party as well as give you practical etiquette and ideas for making merriment a way of life and a way of mission.
Whether you are called to Spain, Italy, Iceland or Portland Oregon, we now live in a pure mission field, and people won't move spiritually until they are connected socially. In other words, the Gospel will not be heard until our front doors open, our tables are set, and we practice the art of hospitality, celebration, and party.
Why has this ancient art of party been lost?
Because the church has defined holiness as 'exclusion' from the world, abstinence from food and drink, and separation from real people. In Jesus, we get to be holy as He was holy. Our inward commitments to Him remain in tact while at the same time we are deeply entrenched in the life and customs of those around us.
Part is sacrament and we must relearn and re-orient our lives around friends, food, and celebration if we are going to have any influence upon the culture right next door.
In Happy Hour Hugh will unpack the theology of party as well as give you practical etiquette and ideas for making merriment a way of life and a way of mission.
- GenresChristian
58 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2016
3 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Halter
19 books42 followersHugh Halter is a pastor and popular author of numerous books including Flesh, The Tangible Kingdom, And, Sacrilege, and Primer. Hugh and Cheryl are presently enjoying the spoils of empty nest living but love to use their ranch as a haven of celebration, hospitality, and friendship to the lost and least on the south side of Denver.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 21, 2017
This is a short book, and basically I felt like it was a waste of money.
Halter's other books address the value of sharing meals, inviting people into our homes, and getting to know people on a deeper level. In this book, he abbreviates the reasons why people should do that. I felt like his argument here had some weak links, although his other books lay it out well.
The rest of the book is sort of a how-to have dinner with people in your home. I grew up watching my mom inviting people over, and I started to do the same thing after I got married, so some of the advice was obvious. For example, clean your house so people will know you prepared for them.
Some of the advice was impossible. Tear down a wall. Create open space.
He suggests lighting a candle. Preparing appetizers. I can't remember what else. It's a short book.
Maybe a handbook like this is useful for some people.
Halter's other books address the value of sharing meals, inviting people into our homes, and getting to know people on a deeper level. In this book, he abbreviates the reasons why people should do that. I felt like his argument here had some weak links, although his other books lay it out well.
The rest of the book is sort of a how-to have dinner with people in your home. I grew up watching my mom inviting people over, and I started to do the same thing after I got married, so some of the advice was obvious. For example, clean your house so people will know you prepared for them.
Some of the advice was impossible. Tear down a wall. Create open space.
He suggests lighting a candle. Preparing appetizers. I can't remember what else. It's a short book.
Maybe a handbook like this is useful for some people.
June 22, 2021
This is a lightning fast read that gives some very practical and tangible ideas for building a more missionary life from within your home. My wife and I have done much of this over the years but it’s great to read a very simple how to for others to be able to do the same. Highly recommended!
March 8, 2024
I think this is a much-needed book on how to throw a good party. People tend to panic or pendulum-swing about how Christians should hang with each other or with non-Christians, and this is a chill little book on how to do that well.
July 26, 2018
great short read, very insightful on how having an event or party brings people together and creating a community
February 22, 2019
Although there were some good ideas about having people as guests in your home, it was filled with heresies. I was quite disappointed!
January 14, 2020
Just stop and read this. Its an excellent, necessary book.
May 29, 2016
https://joemcfadden.org/2016/05/28/ha...
Author and Missiologist Hugh Halter recently released his newest book "Happy Hour: Etiquette and Advice on Holy Merriment". I have enjoyed reading and putting into practice Halter's previous books "Tangible Kingdom", "Tangible Kingdom Primer" and "Flesh: Bringing the Incarnation Down to Earth." Given the title and familiarity with his previous work, I was excited to get this book today and devour it in about an hour.
The book is a a quick read, just 58 pages, but gives you further ideas and insight into why and how to practice hospitality in a culture that has become increasingly isolated. No longer is simply inviting others into our lives an easy thing to do for many reasons.
Happy Hour is a very inspiring read with an introduction and five short chapters:
Party as Sacrament: The Theology and Missiology of Party This chapter focuses on Jesus and His example. An invitation to stop being religious and live like a missionary.
Public House: How to Party at Home This chapter focuses on tips and advice of practicing hospitality with tips to do and not to do in preparation and hosting.
Party Favors: It’s 5:00 Somewhere This chapter give examples of options to the kind of party you might throw. While not an exhaustive list the ideas mentioned can get you thinking and can easily be expanded upon.
Party Killers: How NOT to Cross the Line At some point the question comes up what about alcohol? Living in Wisconsin this is a staple at most social events here. Halter does well to present a balanced view of how this should be handled.
The Last Call: The Best Party I’ve Ever Thrown The last chapter does well to explain the real goal of the party. The goal is a simple relational investment that has the potential to open the door for conversations. Halter's book Flesh would do well to pick up where this leaves off.
Happy Hour is available in bundles of 5. I purchased several copies for a group of leaders to read through this summer. I love the timing of the release of this book!
Author and Missiologist Hugh Halter recently released his newest book "Happy Hour: Etiquette and Advice on Holy Merriment". I have enjoyed reading and putting into practice Halter's previous books "Tangible Kingdom", "Tangible Kingdom Primer" and "Flesh: Bringing the Incarnation Down to Earth." Given the title and familiarity with his previous work, I was excited to get this book today and devour it in about an hour.
The book is a a quick read, just 58 pages, but gives you further ideas and insight into why and how to practice hospitality in a culture that has become increasingly isolated. No longer is simply inviting others into our lives an easy thing to do for many reasons.
Happy Hour is a very inspiring read with an introduction and five short chapters:
Party as Sacrament: The Theology and Missiology of Party This chapter focuses on Jesus and His example. An invitation to stop being religious and live like a missionary.
Public House: How to Party at Home This chapter focuses on tips and advice of practicing hospitality with tips to do and not to do in preparation and hosting.
Party Favors: It’s 5:00 Somewhere This chapter give examples of options to the kind of party you might throw. While not an exhaustive list the ideas mentioned can get you thinking and can easily be expanded upon.
Party Killers: How NOT to Cross the Line At some point the question comes up what about alcohol? Living in Wisconsin this is a staple at most social events here. Halter does well to present a balanced view of how this should be handled.
The Last Call: The Best Party I’ve Ever Thrown The last chapter does well to explain the real goal of the party. The goal is a simple relational investment that has the potential to open the door for conversations. Halter's book Flesh would do well to pick up where this leaves off.
Happy Hour is available in bundles of 5. I purchased several copies for a group of leaders to read through this summer. I love the timing of the release of this book!
Read
September 12, 20164 1/2 stars. A quick little read that's filled with helpful tips for creating a welcoming environment.
December 17, 2016
A good, succinct argument for using parties and hospitality to love and serve others.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews