This practical post on getting to know your neighbors is by Sam Riviera. Sam is a frequent contributor to this blog. See the bottom of this post for more articles in this series about getting to know your neighbors.
In the previous posts in this series (see link list below), we discussed how to get acquainted with our neighbors and then building relationships with them.
Once we have built relationships with at least some of our neighbors, we’re ready to move on to the next step: group events.
People sometimes try to host group events, such as a backyard barbecue, before they have developed relationships with their neighbors. We have discovered that this is almost always a mistake. Group events always function more smoothly when we know and have already established a relationship with most everyone we invite to the event. So don’t rush the steps of building friendships with your neighbors.
But once you have developed relationships with your neighbors, you can build on those friendships by hosting a group event at your house.
Group Events
Group events are great opportunities for neighbors to get to know each other better, both those we already know, and those we barely know (even though those people may live just half a block away), or don’t know at all. Through group events we will discover new things about each other, including shared interests. We often discover that neighbors we assumed were unfriendly are actually very friendly.
When we’re planning the event, we try to make sure that everyone we invite knows someone else in the group in addition to my wife and me. Since we know everyone in the group, we introduce people to anyone they don’t know. Since everyone already knows someone, the people they know also introduce them to other people. Conversations that begin at group events are often continued in the days and years ahead.
Our First Neighborhood Group Event
Here is what happened at our first group event for our neighbors.
I have been a U2 fan for nearly 25 years, although the more recent albums have not really been my favorite…. but whatever.
A young college student from Grace University will not be given her degree this year, even though she earned it.
Christian unity is one of the highest Christian goals, which is why we are always encouraging one another to grow in unity.
