The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door

by Jay Pathak

But as we have mentioned, working with others is the best and smartest way to move forward. You can start small—just invite one person or one household into the process with you. And the neighbors you invite to join you don’t all have to be Christians. There may be someone in your neighborhood who has a completely different spiritual orientation than you but knows way more about neighboring. Whether it’s the Hindu family down the street, the agnostic couple behind you, or the friendly woman who can walk up to anyone and strike up a conversation, enlist these people to join your neighboring team. Remember, all truth is still God’s truth, and God will honor the actions of anyone who is trying to be a good neighbor. This, after all, aligns with God’s purposes. It can be discouraging to try to draw the neighborhood together, but if just one other person is committed to the process, you won’t feel so alone. At least one other person will be there when you throw a block party. You can encourage each other if you feel like you’re constantly reaching out to others and getting no response. Don’t tell yourself you’re too busy or too shy or don’t know where to start. Just identify a neighbor you think would be a good partner and ask him or her to join you in this neighboring journey.

Again, imagine that the boxes on page 183 are the eight houses situated closest to you. Each of the eight boxes represent the eight houses or apartments closest to yours. In the box in the middle, write your home address. In the other boxes, fill in the three subpoints within each box—a, b, and c—as directed below. a—Write down the names of the people who live in the house represented by the box. If you can give first and last names, that’s great. If it’s only first names, that’s fine too. b—Write down some relevant information about each person, some data or facts about him or her that you couldn’t see just by standing in your driveway, things you might know if you’ve spoken to the person once or twice. c—Write down some in-depth information you would know after connecting with people. This might include their career plans or dreams of starting a family or anything to do with the purpose of their lives. Write down anything meaningful that you know about them.

started reading this book? If you haven’t made any progress on your block map, then we want to encourage you to start small but start today. Make it a priority to fill in at least one new name this week. If you don’t feel that you have the time to do this, then take out your calendar and answer this question: Is everything that I am currently doing more important than taking the Great Commandment literally? If you have made some progress on your block map, then be encouraged. Continue looking, continue praying, continue asking God to open up doors and move you down the line with your neighbors from stranger to acquaintance to relationship. Again, the small steps count. If you have recently met a neighbor and learned his or her name, then you are well on your way. And remember, this is a journey that doesn’t end. That’s the beauty of the art of neighboring. Don’t let your desire and passion for neighboring fade away. If God has spoken to you as you have read this book, then we want to encourage you to step out and make a difference in your