Keeping it Simple Over and Over and Over

 

Dave Runyon is co-author of the ground-breaking book, "The Art of Neighboring." This book was published in 2011 and continues to have impact even today.

Runyon and the author of this blog (David Burton) have struck up a friendship because of some of our shared interest of loving our neighbors. Runyon has supported my work and is a frequent sounding board for new ideas.

We talked just this week about our mutual frustration with getting American churches to grasp the idea of neighboring as important as well as resistance to a theology of place.

That is when he shared some sage advice about building support for neighboring efforts in your church. He said: "Keep it simple and say it over and over and over."

Here was his point: North American churches expect pastors to say something smart, academic, and new every week, which is why many pastors are hesitant to talk about neighbor outreach weekly. "My advice is to say something simple but say it over and over and over. Eventually, some members will pick up on it and take action," said Runyon.

Other notes from our conversation:

North American churches seem to expect pastors to say something smart, academic, and new every week, which is why many pastors are hesitant to talk about neighbors every week. “My advice is to say something simple but say it over and over and over. Eventuall,y some members will pick up on it and take action.”

To the churches worried about neighboring not being evangelistic enough: "Remind them that neighboring is front-yard ministry. That is as basic as evangelism can be!"

He is encouraged because being a good neighbor seems to be a “felt need.” Lots of people say that they want that now, we just need to give them small things to get started. “You are doing great work in Missouri and beyond, getting people to talk about what it means to be an engaged neighbor.”

Cities and governments seem to be seeing a revival of their interest in neighbors. Perhaps this is how a revival or great awakening begins. We certainly need to rediscover a theology of place!

Our efforts generate more fruit than what we see immediately. Dave said he has had people read his book or hear him speak and come back five, six, even seven years later and say it made a difference, but they are just now making changes. “Plant the seeds. The fruit comes later but it will come,” said Runyon.

He has the same frustration with churches in general -- latching on to new ideas but not sticking with them for the long term. His advice is to look for churches that are already unicorns! (Yes, they are that rare.) But look for the churches where neighboring is already baked in to the DNA. “Look for churches that already get the idea of neighboring (no matter their size) and invest in them. Don’t spend your time trying to sell the idea to other churches. It is exhausting. Instead focus on those that get it and strengthen them,” said Runyon.