Getting to know your neighbors

Now that we're in a new neighborhood I've been thinking of ways to get to know the neighbors.

Here are parts of three articles that list various ways. Some are good some not so much but the ideas are getting me thinking...please feel free to add ideas to these by leaving a comment.

Article 1 -

Organize a block party. Recognize that in our desire to live in a healthy community, we share mutual values. We care that our neighborhoods are safe, that our properties are maintained or that local ordinances give us protection or take away our control. Coordinating a potluck to bring neighbors together is a significant first step in exploring common ground.

Map your block by including names of adults and children and other pertinent information. Make note of any residents with special needs and those who are at home during the day. Become more familiar with children or pets who live on the street. Include this information on your map and share it at your block party. While talking over good food, bring up issues that are of common importance to the group. Some concerns might be good lawn or babysitter services. Or you might want to discuss zoning issues that would affect the composition of the neighborhood. Record these ideas for future reference.

Organize block cooperatives. Coops can be formed around a number of common interests, such as babysitting, outdoor maintenance services or providing transportation for an older neighbor. You might, for example, consider undertaking these tasks in exchange for pet-sitting services.

Organize a block project. Use the information that comes out of a block party to channel groups to action. It might be a spring alley cleanup, expanding an area park to include a skateboard area, or painting a neighbor's house. Constructing a community Garden and scheduling its upkeep are excellent ways to keep neighbors interacting on an on-going basis. At the end of the growing season, hold a community harvest festival. Use that time to plan a fall or holiday activity. Keep the momentum going by establishing a Neighborhood Watch program.

Article 2 -

I have discovered some principles that I believe will help you take this journey. I call them F.I.R.S.T. Conversations – initial conversations with neighbors, or other strangers, that will help you move toward the personal invite into your biblically functioning community. Consider asking questions like these.

F. Family – Most people love to talk about their family. They will tell you about their kids, background, where they moved from, etc. This is a great connecting point especially if you have seen their family out in the yard or driveway.

I. Income – Where are they employed? Do both parents work outside the home? Do you have flextime in your schedule? What time in the evening do you make it home? It is important for you to understand your neighbors' schedules, and to respect their time as a family as well as encourage community involvement.

R. Recreation – What do they enjoy doing - camping, skiing, etc.? This type of information will help you engage the neighbor further by planning group activities that would be appealing to them.

S. Spiritual Interest – Here is where you seek more to understand them than to be understood by them. Utilize spiritual dialogue from movies like Ghost, The Sixth Sense, and even newer movies like Birth. Did you grow up in a church atmosphere? When you attend church, where do you attend? These questions will allow you to gauge the spiritual interest of your neighbors, and give you necessary information when seeking ways to minister to them.

T. Try an Activity – Eventually you simply have to "make the ask." Most unchurched people admit they would accept an invitation to "come over" if someone asked them. This same principle applies to home groups or social activities. Do our best to plan neighbor-friendly activities, and then reach out and ask them to join you.

Most importantly, get out and be with the people you are trying to reach. Ask God each day to give you the vision for the people around you that He has. Offer helping hands whenever possible and listen to their stories as much as you can. Once you have heard their stories, you will most likely be able to share your story as well. Then you will be able to respond to them in the best possible manner.Because

I have chosen to push past my neighbor anxiety, I have already engaged in some meaningful relationships on my cul-de-sac by utilizing the F.I.R.S.T. Conversations. As you step out in faith, I am confident that you, too, will discover that your best friends just might live two doors down."

Article 3 -

Pray
As you start each day, pray that God will fill you with His Holy Spirit so you will be in tune with His plans. Make sure there's no sin you are refusing to confess. Then invite God to take control of your thoughts, motives, actions, speech--everything.

Open your eyes
Ask God to show you your neighborhood, the people in your sphere of influence. Don't limit yourself to the family next door. Remember, the Good Samaritan was far from home when he was neighborly.

Ponder
As God brings people to your mind, evaluate your relationship with them. What do you know about their life or their needs that would give you an opportunity to show you care?

Plan
Now, make a conscious effort to pursue a relationship by setting aside time for them. It may involve extending hospitality, perhaps inviting someone over for coffee or hosting a block party at Christmas. If your schedule seems too full, consider decreasing the number of your regular activities.

Serve
As you get to know your neighbors, listen. Find out what they enjoy, what they struggle with, what motivates them. As you listen, you'll also discover ways in which you can become more involved in their life. Can you babysit at the last minute? Do they need help shovelling the sidewalk?

Give
Give gifts. Time is often the most precious gift, but sometimes a card or a batch or cookies says a lot too.

Be yourself
Be honest about your own life. We don't have to pretend to be perfect. In fact, when we're honest about our struggles, it's an opportunity to explain how knowing Christ makes a difference in our life.

Be bold
And finally, don't be afraid to share how you came to know the Lord. Being a Christian is part of who you are and as you share your spiritual pilgrimage, it will help establish a relationship of trust.

As you build bridges with your neighbors, believe God is at work in their heart. Too often we buy the lie that people don't want to know God, so we don't even attempt to get involved in their lives. Have an expectant attitude. Remember, Jesus came to seek and save the lost and He has not resigned!