Deacon Mark Minnery challenged all seed leaders with these five questions this past Feed & Seed luncheon.  See how well you do when answering the question “are you a good neighbor?”

1. Do you know the name of your neighbor on either side of your home or apartment?  Where do they work?  What do they do in their spare time?  Are they a part of a church body?
2. When was the last time you had someone from your street or complex into your home?  Have you shared a meal together?
3. Do your neighbors contact you when they are out of sugar or need help with a load of laundry when their dryer dies?
4. Who do your neighbors contact when they have tragedy in their lives?  Do they call you when there has been a lost job, a wrecked car or even a death in the family?
5. Can you call yourself a pastor in your neighborhood?  Do you show the self-sacrificing love of Christ Jesus to your neighbors?

We were reminded that we as Christians are to have a humble, self-sacrificing attitude.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!  Philippians 2:3-8

What is Neighboring?

Mark gave us his working definition: Neighboring is simply loving our neighbors by inviting them into our lives and thinking of them before ourselves.  We sacrifice our desires for God’s will and give our neighbors time we may not want to give them.  They may not respond with love in return.  They might even persecute you for showing them Christ’s love, but this is what God’s Word instructs us to do!

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  John 13:34-35

What is the purpose of neighboring?

1. To invite people into Gospel community.
2. It gives the body the chance to be the body.  We don’t go to church; we are the body of believers, that is, the church.
3. It gives us an opportunity to die to self and our self-centered lives.  We stop building our kingdoms and queendoms and begin to think of others.  Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.  1 Cor. 10:24

What are some practical ways to practice neighboring?

1. Pray for your neighbors.  Think about their needs and contact them. (i.e. prayer walks)
2. Wave to your neighbors when passing by.  Be friendly even when you don’t want to love them, let alone like them.  A wave and a smile go a long way!
3. Introduce yourself to your neighbors.  If you have lived next door for 5, 10 or even 20 years and don’t know them, repent.  Take them cookies, knock on their door and ask for forgiveness (for not having taken the time to get to know them.)
4. Give your neighbors a card with your contact information and tell them to call if they are in need of assistance or during an emergency.
5. Offer them practical help.

• “If you need any help with your leaves next week, please do not hesitate to call me. I am open most Saturdays.”

• “Call me next time you’re out of town.  I would be more then happy to water your plants and bring in your mail”

What are some other ways we can practice neighboring?

Deacon Mark Minnery can be reached at mark@sptsolutions.com.  Every 2nd Sunday, from 12:45pm till 2:30pm at the 930, Sojourner’s interested in mercy ministry gather for lunch and community.  Be sure to join us next month as we discuss seed, evangelism and social engagement.