The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door
Overview
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 2,000 years?
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
- Helps people in government and faith-based leadership positions support the communities they serve
- Discusses the Great Commandment and how to practice it in day-to-day life in literal and creative ways
- Offers thought provoking and practical insights on how to best love your neighbor
- Who Is My Neighbor?
- Taking the Great Commandment Seriously
- The Time Barrier
- The Fear Factor
- Moving Down the Line
- Baby Steps
- Motives Matter
- The Art of Receiving
- The Art of Setting Boundaries
- The Art of Focusing
- The Art of Forgiving
- Better Together
Top Highlights
“We don’t love our neighbors to convert them; we love our neighbors because we are converted.” (Page 102)
“What if the solution to our society’s biggest issues has been right under our noses for the past two thousand years? When Jesus was asked to reduce everything in the Bible into one command he said: Love God with everything you have and love your neighbor as yourself. What if he meant that we should love our actual neighbors? You know, the people who live right next door.” (Page 15)
“Do I live at a pace that allows me to be available to those around me? And if not, are all of the things I’m doing more important than taking the Great Commandment literally?” (Page 57)
“Following are three life-balancing principles that will help you do just that: (1) make the main thing the main thing, (2) eliminate time stealers, and (3) be interruptible.” (Page 54)
“Vicky said, ‘From the city’s perspective, there isn’t a noticeable difference in how Christians and non-Christians neighbor in our community.’” (Page 20)
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, 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, president, LifeWay Research
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, author and speaker
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 community director, Leadership Network
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, 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, Asset Based Community Development Institute, Northwestern University
Jay Pathak is the senior pastor of the Mile High Vineyard, located in a suburb northwest of Denver, Colorado. Prior to planting this church in 2001, he served at the Columbus Vineyard as a leader in its young-adult ministry, Joshua House, and as an intern to the senior pastor, Rich Nathan. Jay is a graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in philosophy and a graduate of the Vineyard Leadership Institute. He has spoken nationally and internationally for the Vineyard and other groups in both conference and classroom settings. Currently he serves on the National Board of Vineyard USA.
Dave Runyon is the executive director of CityUnite, a non-profit organization that exists to help government, business, and faith-based leaders unite around common causes. He also works with the Denver Leadership Foundation in order to bring transformation to the city. Prior to founding CityUnite, Dave served as a pastor for nine years in the Denver area. In 2010 Dave led a neighboring movement that mobilized over 20 churches and 15,000 people in the Northwest Denver Metro area. He graduated from Colorado State University, where he studied history and secondary education. He speaks locally and nationally encouraging leaders to work together to serve the common good.