Meet Your Neighbours

Recently we were catching up with some friends and talking about settling in to the neighbourhood where we are living and ministering. Our friends remarked at how many neighbours we had met, and the fact that we already knew their names.

For us getting to know our neighbours is a fundamental aspect of our ministry, and we are intentionally pro-active about it. Yet the conversation got us thinking: why is it 'typical' for people to inhabit a dwelling but not meet or know their neighbours, even those just a door or two away? And why do Christ followers seem to accept this status quo for themselves? Of course we can say that this is just a 'British' phenomenon, or the outworking of an increasingly individualistic society ... but with every Christ follower an ambassador for Christ should we as Christians simply be the same? Are we not called to be different?

To be different is going to take some effort, however. That effort might be summarised as follows:

1. Be intentional - backed by prayer. Start by simply praying for openings, and pray blessing for the neighbours anyway. Then look for opportunities, and even if natural opportunities don't arise be ready to take initiative.
2. Make the effort to knock on the neighbour's door, or divert across to them if you see them on the street. Of course you cannot guarantee you will be well received, but you can still and try offer friendship.
3. Go ahead and break the ice! Introduce yourself, and ask for their name. In any case express welcome.

For us being new to the neighbourhood, the 'newness' affords opportunity. The natural fear for most people is that the more time has passed, the more awkward it is. If time has passed, then a little ingenuity might be required ... which basically means inventing an excuse to knock on their door! Using a festival or seasonal event can work, taking some chocolates or other simple treat as part of the seasons greetings. Any which way it still requires praying, the intentionality, the effort, and the willingness to go ahead and ring the bell in the hope of breaking the ice.

None of this guarantees becoming great friends, or being able to share faith, or anything like that. Yet it does communicate that you are there, and that you are there for them. That is surely among the most basic of building blocks for community, the most basic layer of salt, and is a step to live contrarian to an individualistic society that isolates and compartmentalises to everyone's detriment.