Using your S.H.A.P.E. Spiritual Gifts, Heart or Passion, Abilities, Personality and prior Experiences in a new way.
This is something anyone can do in their own neighborhood! Best doing it with a partner..that has other abilities, gifts, talents or strengths than you do. Remember, there is no "I" in team!
I have found that it is often helpful to have practical ideas to start engaging the people around me. Most of the things on this list are normal, everyday things that many people are already doing. The hope is that we would do these things with Gospel intentionality. This means we do them:
- In the normal rhythms of life pursuing to meet and engage new people
- Prayerfully watching and listening to discern where God is working
- Boldly, humbly, and contextually proclaiming the Gospel in word and deed
Not all of these are for everyone,
but hopefully there will be several ideas on the list that God uses to help you
engage your neighbors. Would love to hear stories of how you have lived some of
these out or other ways you have engaged your neighbors.
An important lesson I learned some 45 or so years ago was "To not start any new project, initiative or work without first invoking the blessing of Deity".
So maybe before starting to put into practice any of the 100 projects listed below is to pray about the needs of your neighbors and neighborhood! That you can do right in your home at any time. But not an excuse for not venturing out and actually walking around your neighborhood and meeting and talking to your neighbors! And praying for them as your walk around Your neighborhood!
You could even do a prayer walk around your neighborhood! More on that later!
An important lesson I learned some 45 or so years ago was "To not start any new project, initiative or work without first invoking the blessing of Deity".
So maybe before starting to put into practice any of the 100 projects listed below is to pray about the needs of your neighbors and neighborhood! That you can do right in your home at any time. But not an excuse for not venturing out and actually walking around your neighborhood and meeting and talking to your neighbors! And praying for them as your walk around Your neighborhood!
If you need some ideas on how to do a PRAYER WALK!
You could even do a prayer walk around your neighborhood! More on that later!
Neighbors –
Your Immediate Neighborhood
- Stay outside in the front yard longer while watering the yard
- Walk your dog regularly around the same time in your neighborhood
- Sit on the front porch and letting kids play in the front yard
- Pass out baked goods (fresh bread, cookies, brownies, etc.)
- Invite neighbors over for dinner
- Attend and participate in HOA functions
- Attend the parties invited to by neighbors
- Do a food drive or coat drive in winter and get neighbors involved
- Host a music share party in your home (everyone brings 5 favorite songs and discusses)
- Offer to mow someone’s yard who needs it on your street
- Have a garage sale
- Organize a tasting tour on your street (everyone sets up food and table on front porch)
- Cook Out with gate open, or even in the front yard and let neighbors know they are welcome to join.
- Have a game night (yard games outside, or board games inside)
- Art swap night – bring out what you’re tired of and trade with neighbors
- Grow a garden and give out extra produce to neighbors
- Have an Easter egg hunt on your block and invite neighbors use their front yards
- Start a weekly open meal night in your home
- Do a summer BBQ every Friday night and invite others to contribute
- Create a block/ street email and phone contact list for safety
- Invite your neighbors to serve along with you for a local cause in your community
- Organize a backyard movie night for kids on your block
- Prayer walk and talk to people you come across
- Jog outside instead of on the treadmill
- Pull their trash back in when you notice its out
- Cook an extra casserole and give it to a neighbor
- Buy an extra dozen donuts and give them to a neighbor
- Start a compost pile and allow neighbors to dump their compost and take
- Host a sports game watching party
- Host a coffee and dessert night
- Organize and host a ladies craft night
- Organize an effort for neighbors to help take care of elderly in neighborhood
- Become a regular at your neighborhood pool/park
- If you have a skill, let neighbors know that you can use it to help them for free
- Host a movie night and discussion afterwards
- Start a walking/running group in the neighborhood
- Start hosting a play date weekly for other stay at home parents
- Organize a carpool for your neighborhood to help save gas
- Collect good will store items and offer to take them to goodwill
- Have a front yard ice cream party in the summer
- Start a sowing group
- Go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood (invite neighbors in on it)
- Throw a July 4th block party
- Start a neighborhood Facebook/Twitter/Google + group
- Ask longtime residents to help you learn about the neighborhood
- Offer to babysit neighbors kids so they can have a date night
- Find out your neighbors birthdays and take them a card and baked goods on it
- Setup a meet your neighbors night with drinks in your driveway/front yard
- Ask your HOA or apartment complex if they need help with anything
- Host a regular Saturday morning breakfast potluck
Extended
Neighborhood – The Regular Spots In Your City
- Frequent a local gym or recreation center
- Find a park that you consistently spend time with your community at
- Pick a few restaurants to frequent getting to know the staff and regulars there
- Go to the same coffee shop when you can
- Start a regular ultimate Frisbee game in your city
- Take the kids to story time at your local library
- Let your kids play in the city sports leagues
- Attend your city council meetings and get to know what’s going on in your city
- Attend your local school board meetings to know what is going on in the schools
- Participate in the local festivals, parades and celebrations of your city
- Invite a neighbor to a local sporting event
- Start a guys night at your local pub/eatery
- Get involved in your kids school PTA
- Connect with other home school kids through local coop events
- Be a part of your local genealogical society
- Tip generously at your regular restaurant spots
- Participate in local film viewings and discussions
- Attend your local High Schools sporting events
- Coach a local little league sports team
- Offer to teach free computer training sessions at your local library/public venue
- Start a Study Group at a local place that needs business
- Be a regular with your kids at the same playscape/restaurant during the day
- Ask your local college how you can help serve international students
- Get involved with your local lions or rotary club to learn about the community.
- Find a local tweet-up group to meet with regularly
- Frequent a live music night at your local coffee shop or bar
- Make a routine of taking the family to a evening recreation spot (pool, jump zone, etc.)
- Find a local philosophy/theology discussion group and become a regular participant
- Find a baking meet up group and be a part of their activities
- Go to the same hair stylist/barber and get to know them
- Find your local bank representative and get to know them
- Be a regular at your local farmers market
- Take a regular stroll at your local park
- Take your dog to the dog park in your city
- Start a local art collective blog and organize around different themes
- Have gospel discussions in public places where others can listen in
- Check your areas craig’s list for community service needs
- Ask a local restaurant owner how you could bless their employees
- Frequent the same gas station and make an effort to get to know the workers there
- Watch sporting events at the same local sports bar/restaurant in your city
- When you can, support local businesses and get to know the people in that business.
- Visit your cities visitors center to learn about the it’s history
- Start a storytelling group at your local coffee shop
- Organize a kids fun day at your city park
- Offer free computer/technology help for elderly citizens in your area
- Start a bike repair co-op
- Cook out at your local park and invite the people there to eat with you
- Start a sowing class at your local community center
- Organize a co-working time at your local coffee shop for people who work at home
