Good Neighbor?

I’ve spent much of this week soaking in. (And that's not referring to our BC weather!)

I had the privilege of attending a conference for pastors and leaders at Regent College on the UBC campus. Each speaker took a slightly different tact on the topic of how we can get to know our neighborhoods and build healthy communities.

There’s much food for thought but here are a couple of highlights I’m still chewing on.

One speaker – I honestly don’t even recall which one – began with the statement and question. “Jesus tells us to love our neighbor. What if he means our actual neighbor?”

That question coupled with the following story has left me pondering my own role on our street.

A church set out to hire a pastor who would oversee the work of getting to know people in the area around the church – the congregation’s neighborhood. They received many applications, shortlisted the stack, and began interviewing their top picks.

At the end of each interview they made one request. “Please provide us with the phone number of two of your immediate neighbors as references.” Apparently the applicant pool dwindled quickly.

So, today I leave you with the question I continue to ponder. What would my neighbors say if they were asked to give a reference about my neighborliness?

With love and gratitude,
Shelaine
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©2017