The Art of Neighboring
Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door
About
What if Jesus meant that we should love our actual neighbors?
When Jesus was asked to sum up everything into one command, he said to love God with everything we have and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Most of us have turned this simple idea of loving our neighbors into a nice saying, putting it on bumper stickers and refrigerator magnets and then going on with our lives without actually putting it into practice.
What would happen if every follower of Jesus took the Great Commandment literally? Is it possible that the solution to our society's biggest issues has been right under our noses for the past two thousand years?
Endorsements
"Our church spent a month studying and applying the principles found in The Art of Neighboring. It's simple yet powerful. I love this book and the impact it's had on our church."--John Ortberg, senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church
"At the end of the day, community transformation is all about strategic neighboring. The Art of Neighboring is a great book and a useful tool that will help you engage your neighborhood in a meaningful way."--Bob Lupton, author of Toxic Charity
"Building relationships with our neighbors leads to better communities, better cities, and ultimately . . . a better world. I encourage you to read this book and to step outside your front door and start making a difference."--Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus
"The Art of Neighboring is a tool that is helping government and faith-based leaders work together to serve their communities."--Reggie McNeal, missional leadership specialist for Leadership Network
"The Great Commandment of Jesus is not optional. Jay and Dave hold readers accountable to live out the Great Commandment in literal and creative ways. The Art of Neighboring is a unique and necessary addition to any serious Christian's missional library."--Ed Stetzer, author of The Subversive Kingdom
"Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon provide thought-provoking yet practical insights on what it means to love your neighbor. The truths in the book have the potential not only to transform your life but also your entire community. This is a book you can't afford to miss."--Margaret Feinberg, www.margaretfeinberg.com, author of Scouting the Divine and The Sacred Echo
"I live in the same city as Dave and Jay, and I can tell you that they are the real deal. If you are tired of living at a hectic pace and just skimming the surface of life . . . then stop everything you're doing and take The Art of Neighboring as seriously as Jesus did. This story is the essence of Christianity and has the potential to change everything!"--Hugh Halter, author of The Tangible Kingdom, AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church, and Sacrilege
"The act of loving our actual neighbors is one of the simplest and yet most powerful things that we can do to make an impact in our world. I have seen the model described in this book close up, and it is the real deal. If you care about your city, if you long to see the fabric of your community change for the better, then you need to read this book."--Eric Swanson, Leadership Network, co-author of To Transform a City
"I've always wondered how the churches in our city could work together to impact our community in a significant way. The Art of Neighboring has united many of the churches in Duluth and has provided us with practical tools that have helped launch a neighboring movement. I'm excited about the influence that The Art of Neighboring is having in our city and its potential to impact other cities around the country."--Don Ness, mayor of Duluth, Minnesota
"The Art of Neighboring is at the forefront of a national movement to renew local communities. This book explains why neighboring really matters and reminds us all of the value of pursuing relationships with the people who live around us."--John McKnight, co-director of the Asset Based Community Development Institute, Northwestern University
The Authors
Resources
- Excerpt
- Sermon Series Overview
- Bulletin Insert
- Poster
- Q & A Sheet