Why Knowing Your Neighbors is an Absolutely Critical and Urgent Need

It’s back to school season. How is your church using this season as a relaunch opportunity? As the cooler days set in, summer vacations come to an end, and people reset their schedules for a new fall routine, what has your church planned to leverage this moment? Connecting or reconnecting doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. This month, we will explore a few ideas to consider if your church would like to leverage this fall opportunity.

We are starting this series with the question, who is your neighbor? Specifically, who is your church’s neighbor? Do you know their names? Do you know what keeps them up at night? Do you know what brings them joy? What do they fear? How is your church and your personally investing in your neighbors? How will the church connect with the neighbors and offer meaningful ministries if the church doesn’t know the neighbors? Check out the “Who is Your Neighbor” webinar to learn more about connecting with your neighbors.

What if the church was called to set out on a new venture?  Fear not!  We are not suggesting a trip to a foreign country. No one will need a passport or vaccinations for travel.  Packing a suitcase won’t even be necessary. Yet, this venture will be a new experience for many of us.  This venture may cause us to flex muscles we haven’t used, learn new skills, act outside our comfort zone, stretch our ideas of what the church is and looks like, and will cause us to examine our own thoughts and beliefs about being a follower of Jesus.

To be the church and to be a follower of Christ, it will take us into unchartered waters and new territories. These are not unchartered or new territories that are completely undiscovered by anyone before. Instead, these are typically unchartered areas for us as individuals and as the church. It is simply venturing into the neighborhoods surrounding our church buildings. These ventures we are speaking of are not going blindly about serving our neighbors transactionally. The high-stakes ventures we are challenging churches to take are to invest relationally in truly and authentically getting to know the neighbors, serving the community with the neighbors, investing time to understand the neighborhood and their stories, spending time with the neighbors, and providing ministry that will bring about transformational kingdom impact throughout the neighborhood.  

Is your church ready to boldly and courageously venture into your neighborhood that you are called to reach?  We believe there is no greater adventure than traveling alongside someone on their discipleship journey.  That’s why a group of thought leaders from around the country came together to build a ministry toolbox of resources for venture leaders who are ready to step out and discover new ministry pathways and reach new people. For more information on The Greatest Expedition Click Here.

As individuals and families find themselves establishing a new routine this time of the year, be sure your church is on their radar for a space in their schedule. Without meaningful or valuable connection points, families will become too busy with other activities and not have the time or desire to engage in the life of the church. Which idea or two from the list might your church decide to try?