Neighboring: Recovering a Lost Art - (Part 1)

One of the lost arts in American culture is that of being a good neighbor. In our social media-driven relationships we really don't know the people we call friends because our only connection with them is via a computer. Meeting real people, in real life, forming real relationships, is something many people will laugh about in an awkward way as they continue to settle for the emptiness of a “Like” on Facebook or Twitter. It's so sad.

We (David & Kandy) are committed to mobilizing a missionary movement, and part of being a good missionary is learning to be a good neighbor. When we think about being a neighbor we are referencing much more than the person who might live next door. There are many places where you can find an opportunity to be a good neighbor.

“ ...part of being a good missionary is learning to be a good neighbor.”

The art of neighboring includes the person next door and the person in the cubicle next to yours in the office. It is about the teacher in the room three doors down the hall and the person serving you the food you ordered in the restaurant. It’s the guy who mows your grass or maybe pushes a broom to clean up the mess others leave in the store.

Are you getting the idea?

Being a good neighbor reaches into every scheme of life and living. The opportunities are everywhere. Like Jesus said, the problem isn’t a harvest issue, it’s a harvester problem that needs to be solved. And the only way for it to be effectively changed is when those who follow Jesus learn the art of being a good neighbor.

So … Are you a good neighbor?

Jesus placed this idea of being a good neighbor pretty high on His list of things we should be doing. When asked by the teachers of the law which commandment was most important Jesus responded like this … 

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31NIV)

It appears that in the mind of Christ being a good neighbor falls somewhere next to loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Interesting.

Join us as we recover the lost art of neighboring!

(check out Neighboring: Recovering a Lost Art - Part 2)