Community

A Neighborhood Party

If you're like me, you wish you were a better neighbor and fight a creeping sense of guilt about it. Sometimes it feels like a big commitment just to engage. But for me, it's always good to remember, being a neighbor starts with praying for our neighbors. God opens up doors when He opens up our eyes through prayer.

Below, find out how one couple was led to engage. After praying, they were led to host a neighborhood party. And, well, amazing things happened. If you're the kind of person who feels a tug to host a gathering, go check out this site:
Neighbor Hope
(www.neighborhope.com)

Here's an excerpt from the people who started it:

"What we've learned over the years," Norm says, "is that a neighborhood party sponsored by a Christian—an intentional, friendship-building gathering—is always going to be successful, because in many cases it's the only way most of the neighbors will ever meet each other. So at each party, we include a sharing time where all the personalities come out. It creates a sense of, 'Hey, we belong to each other. We're neighbors.'"

Excuses, Excuses
Okay, let's hear it: We don't have the gift of evangelism. We're not outgoing people. Our house isn't big enough to have the neighborhood over.

The Wretlinds will have none of that.

"The question is, Is your heart big enough?" Norm says, noting that they used to hold summer block parties in their driveway and Christmas gatherings in their two-bedroom home. Taking that uncomfortable first step of knocking on a neighbor's door and inviting them over for coffee, they say, will begin changing your perspective.

Norm believes it's less a question of spiritual gifts than one of simple obedience to God. Jesus told us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 19:19).

"At the heart of successful evangelism is love for other individuals," Norm says. "That's what touches them."

"I used to pray for a passion for lost souls," Becky says, "but it wasn't until I actually stepped out my front door and began to rub shoulders with my non-Christian neighbors that I began to really feel a passion for them. And then it was God doing a work in my heart as I just made my time available."

Time. Now there's a real obstacle to all of this. Amid running to and from work, school, and even church activities, the neighborhood can become a pretty low priority.

"We can't be so busy with other Christians in the 'holy huddle' that we don't plan any time for the non-Christians around us," she says.

Opening your home means opening yourselves to neighbors who need spiritual help. And that takes readiness—through prayer.

Becky says, "Prayer is the bottom line for neighborhood ministry together, for impacting your neighborhood as a couple."

_______________________________________

Jim Killam, an MP regular contributor, teaches journalism at Northern Illinois University. He and his family live in Poplar Grove, Illinois.

© 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Marriage Partnership magazine.

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Replies to This Discussion

Steve PollittPermalink Reply by Steve Pollitt on February 27, 2009 at 1:14pm
What great words for us. I was reading the book "Selah" by Nancie Carmichael a couple weeks ago. I read a section that I've been thinking about so much, and it goes so perfectly with the excerpt shared above. The beginning of the section was talking about how we are so busy - "we keep jam-packed Daytimers close to our side as if they are the modern equilavent to the six shooter from the old cowboy movies. They make us feel powerful..." It went on to say this after talking about how we even like to look busy, 'cause it makes us feel important. "Ouch. That hits me where it hurts. Years ago, when Bill (Nancie's husband) was on the staff of a church and our children were small, my neighbor said wistfully to me one day, "you're always dressed up, and you're always going to church." I wanted to say, "so, is there a problem with that, lady? This is good, you know." It wasn't until years later taht I realized the message my frenetic life was sending to her: "I'm a busy, busy Christian women - too busy to talk to you, neighbor or to listen." Now I, Carol Pollitt have to say..."ouch, that hits me where it hurts." I know my nieghbor Elizabeth is feeling that very thing right now. So, my goal, not to be so busy at church that I don't have time for my nieghbors.

Thanks for posting that article Kelley, and reminding us of the importance of seeing those around us.
Steve PollittPermalink Reply by Steve Pollitt on February 27, 2009 at 1:15pm
Oops, I posted the below, being signed in as Steve...it actually came from Carol

:0)

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