The Art of Neighboring – book Review

Jesus said the greatest commandment is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). It is the second half of this commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself, that the book The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door, by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon, is about.

The authors not only challenge us to take this commandment literally, but to apply it in the very neighborhoods we live in. That’s right, the people that live forty to one hundred feet away.

One of the tragedies in modern America is the loss of a real sense of community in our neighborhoods. We tend to know little about the people next door. Often we are even anxious about them. Pathak and Runyon not only encourage us to be part of turning this around in our own neighborhoods, but provide ample suggestions about how to move from being strangers to being acquaintances and then to entering a deeper relationship where you might one day call each other good friends. Sure, you won’t be bosom buddies with everyone in the neighborhood, but you can be on friendly terms with them. They even cover being a neighbor to that neighbor; you know whom I’m talking about.

The book is easy to read, full of relevant stories, and an excellent source of ideas. There is a study guide in the back to help everyone not only understand but also apply the concepts in how to be a good neighbor. The guide could also easily be used by several people as they go through the book together. Not counting the study guide or end notes, the book is only 184 pages long.

As Our Redeemer is looking at becoming part of our District’s iNeighborhood effort, this book would be an excellent first step for any of our members.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor