37 - The Art of Neighboring (with Dave Runyon)

In this episode, Graham interviews author and dad of 4, Dave Runyon, co-author (with Jay Pathak) of The Art of Neighboring, a fantastic book that encourages the church to be the church -- and get outside our four walls to engage those who live closest to us. This book reminds us that good neighboring is right at the heart of Jesus' commandments to love the LORD our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. It may not be easy, but as Christ-followers, this is what we're called to. And it is so worth it and such a blessing. You'll be encouraged and challenged by Dave as we walk through this incredibly important topic of being the kind of neighbors God has called us to be. What a great way to be a strategic family! Dave also gives us a peak into the intentionality in the Runyon home -- with great ideas to engage and listen to your kids.

In this episode, Graham interviews author and dad of 4, Dave Runyon, co-author (with Jay Pathak) of The Art of Neighboring, a fantastic book that encourages the church to be the church -- and get outside our four walls to engage those who live closest to us. This book reminds us that good neighboring is right at the heart of Jesus' commandments to love the LORD our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. It may not be easy, but as Christ-followers, this is what we're called to. And it is so worth it and such a blessing. You'll be encouraged and challenged by Dave as we walk through this incredibly important topic of being the kind of neighbors God has called us to be. What a great way to be a strategic family! Dave also gives us a peak into the intentionality in the Runyon home -- with great ideas to engage and listen to your kids.

In this episode, we cover:

If we're going to love people as believers, we should know their name.
Fear often keeps us from wanting to get to know our neighbors because it can be messy -- sometimes it's easier to serve at a soup kitchen.
Dave and his wife Lauren's story about how they wrestled with travel sports & the call to be engaged neighbors.
Being "in the game" of neighboring with your kids.
Kids and dogs are a great way to connect with your neighbors!
We love our neighbors not to convert them but we love them because we are converted.
The tic-tac-toe exercise to assess where you are with your eight closest neighbors.
Learning our neighbors' names is the starting point.
Jesus exercised a spiritual discipline that we don't normally talk about: he regularly spent time with people who made religious people uncomfortable.
Looking for a "person of peace" within your neighborhoods.
8% of Christians know the names of their 8 closest neighbors. We have work to do!
Our city leaders can't see a difference between Christians and non-Christians when it comes to being a good neighbor -- we must change this!
Having a "re-do" with your neighbors if something not great has happened in the past.
A huge neighboring tip: BE NORMAL!
In neighboring, small things make a big difference.
People naturally share what they love. If we love Jesus, this will become evident as we grow in relationship with others.
This work of neighboring is really hard but so worth it.
And... the Runyon Family questionnaire to engage their kids, as well as the Runyon Family Bucket List.

Resources:

Purchase The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door on Christian Book Distributors or Amazon.
Check out Dave's organization, CityUnite at https://cityunite.org/.

Scripture referenced:

Matthew 22:36-40: "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he [Jesus] said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (ESV)

Music:

Intro: Life of a Traveler, by Black Rhomb (License #3565685)
Outtro: Avocado Street, by Wes Hutchinson (Courtesy of YouTube Music)

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