The future of America may depend less on who lives in the White House and more on whether we know who lives in the white house next door. Every election season reminds us how much energy we pour into national politics. We debate candidates, consume headlines, refresh polling data, and argue over policies that originate hundreds or thousands of miles away. We know the names of senators we have never met, commentators we will never meet, and public figures who will never know we exist. Meanwhile, many of us could not tell you the first name of the person who lives three doors down. That disconnect isn’t just ironic. It may be one of the greatest challenges facing our communities.  A healthy nation isn’t built exclusively from the top down. It’s built from the sidewalk up. Neighborhoods are where trust is formed. They are where children learn what community looks like, where crises become manageable because someone notices, and where loneliness can be interrupted by a knock on ...

  When I wrote my first book on neighboring,  I was trying to help people rediscover something that has always had the power to change lives: being an engaged neighbor. Today, I’m grateful to celebrate an exciting milestone. Together, my first two books have sold more than 750 copies , reaching readers across Missouri, throughout the United States, and beyond. Every copy represents someone who believes neighborhoods matter and that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference by connecting with those around them. My first book, Neighborhood Mission Trips for Everyday Christians , encourages Christians to view their own neighborhoods as places where faith can be lived out every day. Rather than waiting for opportunities far from home, the book invites readers to recognize that some of the most meaningful ministry opportunities may exist just across the street. My second book, The Neighboring Playbook , grew out of years of community development work, research, and the c...

Dr. Emily Smith’s The Science of the Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger about Loving Our Neighbors is a thoughtful exploration of the psychology and social science behind compassion, empathy, and helping others. Drawing on a wide range of research, Smith demonstrates how our brains, environments, and habits influence whether we notice and respond to the needs of those around us. The book is well-researched and offers practical insights for anyone seeking to become more attentive and compassionate. One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to translate scientific research into practical application. Smith highlights how busyness, distraction, and the “bystander effect” often keep people from noticing opportunities to help others. She also emphasizes that intentional habits of slowing down, paying attention, and practicing empathy make us more likely to respond when someone is in need. These findings are valuable reminders that loving our neighbors requires more than good intenti...

For years we have heard that America has a loneliness problem. We have also heard that we have lost many of our "third places" the locations outside of home and work where people naturally gather. Coffee shops, libraries, parks, community centers, neighborhood businesses, churches, and public squares have traditionally served this role. A recent article from the Centre for Conscious Design offers an encouraging perspective. Rather than arguing that communities need to build entirely new spaces, the authors suggest that we need to rethink how we use the spaces we already have. Their central idea is simple but powerful. Third places become valuable when they create repeated opportunities for neighbors to interact, recognize one another, and gradually build trust.  That is an important insight. But I would take the idea one step further. Third places are not the goal. Belonging is. Space Alone Is Not Enough The article reminds us that many Americans live within a few hundred fe...

From blog author David Burton: "I often get asked about my favorite books or articles on neighboring. The first book I read on this subject (in 2018) was "The Art of Neighboring" by Dave Runyon and Jay Pathak.  I have marked my favorites in bold.  I have also written reviews on many of these books and have linked the title to those reviews when available.  You will also find some fictional listings (marked) that teach lessons about neighbors . If you want to know what else I am reading, my profile can be found on GoodReads  along with my extensive reading list. In 2025, I was among rated among the Top 5% on Good Reads for book reviews. LITERATURE REVIEW AND NEIGHBORING RESOURCES Aaron Smith, “Neighbors Online,” Pew Research Center, June 9, 2010. Allen, Jennie. Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World . WaterBook. 2023. Andrews, Andy. The Noticer . Thomas Nelson. 2009. (Fiction) Angulo, R., &; Crowell, D. (2018). Kindness & salt: Recipes f...