How To Transform A Neighborhood

Can we create safer and healthy neighborhoods? Can our communities become spiritually transformed? Then it must start where we live. If we don’t affect change in our neighborhood, some one else will and chances are we won’t like the results.

Make Your Neighborhood Your Church

Can we transform our community by driving away from the neighborhood we live in, to minister to people one day a week, who live somewhere else?  If we look carefully we can become aware of the congregation of people who are constantly around us seven days a week. We call it a neighborhood and we barely notice it falling apart until it’s too late. That’s usually when we move, leaving the problem for someone else. Unfortunately the problem just follows us to our next neighborhood because all along we were the solution we didn’t take responsibility for.

The grass is not greener on the other side, but where we cultivate it. Touching peoples lives is the same way. The Christian life is not about where we go to Church nor is it about Church buildings or meetings, yet for most of us, that has become the center of our Christian experience.

If you are a church goer, Pastor or Church planter who wants to make a difference, step out and make your neighborhood your church. You will automatically be surrounded by a congregation of people. Be prepared to experience first hand, real transformation unfold before your eyes, including yours. Your life will never be the same again.

What is a Spiritual Movement?

The results of ordinary everyday followers of Jesus taking adventurous steps of faith in a grass roots environment to help facilitate spiritual and physical transformation.

What is a Simple Church ?

“It is a group of at least two or three people who are, or are seeking to be followers of Christ, gathering together on a consistent basis, anywhere, anytime and facilitating change wherever they are.”

What is a House Church?

“It is a simple church using a residential structure in a neighborhood or village to gather together”.

Why Our Neighbors Don’t Go to Church

Recently Oak Leaf Church in Cartersville, Georgia went around town asking people why they don’t go to church. These are the same people who live where you and I live. They may never walk into a church door, but we “the church” can walk into their’s. My neighbors love their families, are thoughtful, intelligent, hard working, and worthy of my time to listen carefully and spend time with them as Jesus would. There is more to people’s answers than what’s being said.

Change happens locally.

These is an excerpt I found at Mars Hill church. I’m using their quotes because they just said it better than me.

“We believe the Church is God’s chosen vehicle for creating change. Change happens locally. It happens when people act where they are with what they have. Change happens gradually. It occurs when people do a series of little things well over a long period of time. As Christians, we love to talk but we don’t necessarily like to get up and out and get it done. It’s one thing to proclaim Christ on Sunday morning; it’s another to get wrapped up in your next-door neighbor’s life on any given day… What can you do? Place yourself in front of people. Put yourself squarely in the middle of their lives…”

Scared to meet your Neighbors?

O if it were that simple. Sorry to burst your bubble, but you will actually have to step out your door to meet them. Relationships don’t come with shortcuts.

What is the Church?

1. The Church
A group of people who are actively following Jesus.

2. Spiritual transformation
Dramatic changes in purpose, attitudes, behavior and lifestyle, characterized by actions of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control that reflect a commitment and obedience to Jesus Christ.

3. Community
An interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common geographical location.

4. Neighborhood
An interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common geographical location within walking distance to each other.

Free Spiritual Gifts Assesment Test

What are your spiritual gifts? Click the links below to take the free online spiritual gifts test along with other assessments tests. Then ask others for feedback on the results.

http://www.gregwiens.com/gifts/

http://www.assess-yourself.org/

Changing Your World!

I am on one of the most amazing journeys one can imagine. Hard and dusty roads, full of life and adventure. I have chosen to be a follower of Jesus. This decision has been life changing.

Let us to be inspired together to continue pursuing this great adventure and be the kind of life changer whose actions change the world around us for the better.

Lets encourage others to experience this amazing life, full of adventure, wonder and celebration.

Who is my Neighbor?

Why is it important for us to be active in our neighborhood? I find when we open our door and let people in or let ourselves out, even a simple hello can make someone’s day.

How do I meet my neighbors?

Let’s keep it simple. Here is an interview of what one person did.

Here are a few more ideas.

1. Go for a walk in your neighborhood. Say hi to people. Become familiar with the people around you.

2. Use what you have – A touch, a smile, a listening ear, food, your TV. Everyone has one of these items.

3. Keep an “open chair” at the kitchen table and invite family, friends, neighbors, churched or the unchurched to join you for a meal.

Update – Click here to view another example of what one person can do.

 

 

How do I get started?

• Eat with people as often as you can, wherever and whenever you can. People engage and interact better with food on their plate than at any other time.

• Listen to people as much as possible, as often as possible. Don’t preach to them. No one likes that.

• Invite your friends, family or neighbors and do something nice for a neighbor, especially one in need.

• Don’t try to solve everyone’s problems. The more you listen, touch, and serve, the greater impact you will have.

Simple Church – Anytime, Anywhere, By Anyone

With the rising costs of gas, church buildings, real estate and staff salaries, the old ways of doing things no longer fit the practicalities of our changing culture.

The good news is you can experience Jesus with friends, family or neighbors without leaving your block or home.  No buildings to build, offerings to take, no special qualifications needed.  Being a follower of Christ is not about meetings but being part of practical real life experiences in the Christian faith.  “The Church is not where you go, but who you are”  Change the world in the neighborhood you live in.