I’m fortunate to have grown up in the neighborhood that I did. I knew the names of all my neighbors, looked forward to holiday cookie plates, watched local parades from their doorsteps and in their yards and lived near the downtown area (which we called uptown because it was to the north of us, I guess).
We also lived near to the county fairgrounds, the local swimming pool, small restaurants, a couple of city parks and two elementary schools that had great playgrounds for after-school use.
All of this was within walking distance. Though I hadn’t given it much thought until now, I lived in a pretty abundant-minded neighborhood when it came to available resources. This is true of both the physical resources and the human resources that live next door, down the street and around the block.
I owe a lot to my neighborhood. Not only did my neighbors watch out for my welfare and tell my parents when I was up to no good, my neighborhood had a lot to do with forming my personal identity. Heck, I literally married the girl next door, so I am forever indebted to my neighborhood.
What a great way to grow up!
Sadly, though, too many folks will never get to experience such a neighborhood given that we’ve generally retreated to our own personal fortresses in suburbs, complete with privacy fences, no trespassing signs, and general isolationism.
Such places don’t have an abundant mindset. Rather, they are stuck in a mindset of scarcity. The good news: You can do something about it!
Finding God’s Kingdom in your Neighborhood: Next Door as it is in Heaven
You cannot change the city from the sanctuary. Each Christian is called to be a restorer and reconciler of people and neighborhoods so they may flourish.
Lance Ford and Brad Brisco have written a thoroughly researched and evidenced backed book to help the average Joe – like you and me – for becoming stewards of our own neighborhoods. It involves taking us from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance. Tyndale House Publishers recently provided me with a complimentary copy of Next Door as it is in Heaven: Living Out God’s Kingdom in your Neighborhood in return for an honest review.
I’ll have to confess, I thought it would be a little “funner” to read than it actually was – though the academic researcher in me took comfort in the many books that are quoted and referenced as they were used in tandem with scriptural evidence to support the positions of the book.
Restore People and Neighborhoods so They Can Flourish
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. – Jeremiah 29:7
This passage from Jeremiah sets the tone for the book and all the positions that Ford and Brisco present in Next Door as it is in Heaven. It reminds us that we are divinely placed in our neighborhoods for a specific reason and that we are to take a mission mindset from those locales. In fact, they suggest that a “calling as missionaries to our neighborhoods as being every bit as high a calling to preach in the pulpit (52).
Along the way, they present the Parable of the Good Samaritan to show what it means to be a good neighbor – by nearing, caring and sharing. They also provide evidentiary support from the likes of Eugene Peterson, Peter Block, Walter Grueggemann, Mother Teresa, Frederick Buechner, Henri Nouwen, John Ortgerb, Leonard Sweet, Jane Jacobs, Eric Jacobson and more.
Discover the Joy of Neighboring
“The journey of restoring the relational fabric of our communities must begin with our tangible presence in real time and real space.”
Restoring relational fabric of communities begins with presence in real-time & space. @NextDoorBook Click To TweetWhile apt and useful, this book is most applicable for more seasoned Christians. Those who are young in the faith might have some difficulty in following through on some of the concepts – although, anyone can be a good neighbor and find many practical methods for being good stewards in their neighborhoods.
This is most true of chapter six, which goes into some outstanding detail on the topic of biblical hospitality. It has helped me to reconcile exactly what the role of a host is – and it requires a shifting of focus away from ourselves as hosts.
To Welcome a Stranger is to Welcome Jesus
Jesus taught us – often while dining – how to welcome strangers and to be hospitable. This is also one of the final topics shared by Ford and Brisco in Next Door as it is in Heaven. Specifically, they provide practical steps you can personally take toward becoming such a steward.
Readers will receive advice for overcoming fear, developing greater time margin in life (for neighboring), creating “third places,” and cultivating bread communities.
Even if you’re an introvert like me, this book will inspire and encourage you to respond to your calling as a resident of your place to be a messenger for Jesus to nurture and restore your neighborhood to one of abundance.