The Neighborhood Project L10

Most all of us know that a critical habit to cultivate when in relationship is listening. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to be in a relationship with someone who will not or cannot listen. There is a constant give-and-take, to-and-fro between two people that keeps a relationship functioning. If this is true for people, it is also true for organizations. Successful businesses listen to customers and potential customers, finding out their needs seeking better ways to serve them.

Listening is also crucial for congregations: much of worship is listening. Members and leadership listen to one-another seeking to best minister together. Everyone needs to listen to each other for sure, but lest we forget, there are other voices to be heard. Listening to God is a critical part of faithful living. Furthermore,  I am convinced that God is calling Amazing Grace to listen to the voices of our neighbors.

In September our leadership, the church council, did an exercise, assessing Amazing Grace’s dreams, gifts, call of neighborhood, and obstacles. There was lots of talk and energy around three of the four items. When it came to discussing the call of our neighborhood, the council was uncharacteristically reticent. If the leadership of the church is unsure about what our neighborhood might be calling us to do, surely that must be the case with the rest of the congregation. We’ve got some listening to do.

In Luke 10, Jesus sent his followers out into the world. They went out two by two. Jesus sent his followers to the places he intended to go. He didn’t send them out to invite people to church. Jesus didn’t send them out to ask people if they had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior. He sent them out with simple messages: “Peace to this house” (Luke 10:5) and “the kingdom of God has come near to you” (Luke 10:9).

As our 25^th anniversary approaches, the time is right for Amazing Grace to re-engage our neighborhood. Years ago, the founding pastor of this church was said to have knocked on thousands of doors. Since then, frankly speaking, much of our neighborhood has changed, ties to the neighborhood need to be strengthened. They know little about us beyond that we are where they go to vote each election year. We know little about our neighborhood beyond the fact that they, like us, are mostly from someplace else.

In January, we are launching “The Neighborhood Project – L10” (L10 as in Luke Chapter 10). Just as Jesus sent his followers into the world to bring peace in Luke 10, so we will go out into our neighborhood two by two with a simple goal: to introduce ourselves and ask what the issues and needs are in our neighborhood.  The goal is NOT to invite people to church. The goal is to listen. In that listening, we are bringing the peace of Christ to that home.

Not everyone in our congregation will be moved to participate in this project. But for those who will, I will be offering a training session that is mandatory to attend before being released into our neighborhood to represent Amazing Grace. January 9^th and 16^th after the 11:00am service will be the sessions, lunch will be provided.

Please pray for this effort and consider how you might support it. Please RSVP with me or Elaine Schwartz (the council chair for Action) to indicate your willingness to participate.

Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Revelation 2:11