We Are Neighbors

  Communities thrive when people come together to support one another, and one of the best ways churches can help their communities is by working together.  When different churches collaborate, they can have a much bigger positive impact than when they work alone. These partnerships offer numerous advantages, like providing better services to building stronger connections among community members. It is past time for church members to be asking their leaders about working together cooperatively with other local congregations in support of the community and neighbors. MORE RESOURCES One of the biggest advantages of churches working together is the ability to offer more resources to those in need.  Churches often have food pantries, clothing drives, and shelters to support families facing hardship. However, no single church can meet all the needs of a large community on its own.  When churches join forces, they can combine their resources, such as money, volunteers, a...

  In today’s fast-paced world, many people feel disconnected from their communities. Our busy schedules often keep us focused on work, errands, and immediate family needs, leaving little time to build meaningful connections with those around us. This lack of engagement can create a sense of isolation and missed opportunities for mutual support and a reduction in social capital. Fortunately, by adopting simple and thoughtful habits, we can enhance not only our own lives but also the lives of those in our communities. Building connections with those nearby fosters a sense of belonging and brings tangible benefits, including improved well-being, enhanced security, and a better quality of life. (Kretzmann & McKnight, 1993).  The Engaged Neighbor Pledge was been developed by Community Development Specialist David Burton between 2020 and 2024 .This pledge outlines principles for fostering meaningful neighborhood connections. By visiting engagedneighbor.com , individuals can take...

  To understand how big a $36 trillion debt is, it helps to put it into perspective. Here are a few ways to think about it: 1. Per Capita (Average per person): If the U.S. has a population of around 333 million people (as of 2025), you can divide $36 trillion by that number to see how much debt each person would owe if the debt were equally distributed. So, each person would owe approximately $108,108. 2. Comparison to GDP: The U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2024 is estimated to be around $26 trillion. This means the debt is about 1.4 times the size of the entire economy in a year. This ratio can help you understand how the debt compares to the nation’s economic output. 3. Daily Costs: If you spent $1 every second, it would take you more than 1,100 years to spend $36 trillion. That’s how much time it would take to “pay off” the debt by spending at a rapid pace every second. 4. Historical Context: The U.S. debt has been steadily increasing for decades, b...

In every neighborhood, there are individuals who go above and beyond to foster a sense of belonging, unity, and mutual support. These engaged neighbors take the initiative to build stronger communities, bringing people together through acts of kindness, service, and creativity. From organizing neighborhood events to tackling local challenges, their efforts create an environment where everyone feels connected and cared for. This story highlights the experiences and insights of four individuals—Susan Peck, Tracie Rice, Michael Brittain, and Darla Noble—who have led by example in their communities. Their successes and challenges offer valuable lessons on how to be an engaged neighbor. A Neighborhood that Feels Like Home For Darla Noble, fostering a sense of community in her Rogersville neighborhood was both a personal mission and a way to build new relationships. Having moved from her longtime home to a new neighborhood, she sought ways to connect with others and encourage engagement. ...

"I am not a joiner." I have said these words before myself. It’s completely understandable to feel like you’re not a “joiner.” Many people feel more comfortable sticking to themselves.  Everyone has different preferences when it comes to socializing and connecting with others.  However, being involved in your community or neighborhood can have great benefits, both for you and the people around you. Even if you’re not someone who typically enjoys large gatherings or organized events, there are simple ways you can participate that might surprise you.  Here’s why community involvement is worth considering and how you can ease into it at your own pace. Building Connections One of the main reasons to get involved in your neighborhood is to build connections with the people around you. While you may not feel the need to join every event or group, having a sense of connection with your neighbors can make your life more enjoyable.  Imagine knowing someone you can call when y...

  A coffee chat in your driveway or garage is a simple and fun way to get to know your neighbors better. In many communities, people don’t interact with each other as much as they used to, but hosting a casual gathering can bring people together.  With any event you have to ask: what is my purpose? My purpose with a coffee chat was to get neighbors attending and talking. Coffee sort of lends itself to sitting down and staying for a while. Coffee is an easy way to connect and build stronger relationships within your neighborhood. Whether you want to meet new neighbors, make friends, or just enjoy some time outside, a coffee chat is a great idea.  Here are some tips to help you plan a successful coffee chat in your driveway or garage. Choose the Right Time and Date The first step in hosting a coffee chat is picking a time and date that works for most people. I actually did early Friday morning for two years, so that can work! But as a general rule, w eekends are best sinc...

  Hosting a driveway chat for your neighbors is a simple low-stress way to build friendships and make your neighborhood feel more connected.  If you want to host this easy-to-organize event, having everyone bring their own lawn chairs and drinks is a perfect idea. This setup keeps things simple, relaxed, and low-stress for the host, while still offering everyone a chance to hang out, connect and get to know one another.  Here are some tips to make your driveway chat a fun and successful event. Pick the Right Time and Date The first thing to consider is the timing of your driveway chat. I think this depends on the culture and makeup of your  neighborhood. When I organized these for a year in my neighborhood we did Thursday nights to avoid known conflicts. We moved our event around (like the one shown on this page) to different "host" driveways. More recently, I have seen other leaders saying weekends are usually the best, since most people have time off from work....

  When representatives from 14 Republic churches met in June of 2024 at Convoy of Hope, a consensus formed over several ideas that local churches could work on together. One of those was the need to support families and promote healthy marriages. Members of the Ministerial Alliance first discussed working together but difficult l ogistics of doing one joint marriage event in Republic led to discussions about multiple churches doing a marriage conference as a way to support families and marriages in our community. Members of the ministerial alliance can show unity by promoting the other marriage events offered in the Republic community. Let David Burton know by email the details of your conference to add to this list: Here is a master list of events planned for 2025: Republic Free Will Baptist Church is hosting “Making Room For Romance” Conference April 4-5 at the church. Steve & Susan Tucker from Eagle Family Ministries in Bentonville AR help couples of all ages & stages ...