Loving Your Church’s Literal Neighbors

August 15th, 2024

By Emily Bloomfield

As followers of Jesus who seek to love, think, and act like Him, who seek to obey the command to love our neighbor, we are compelled to the vision of justice and impacting our city for Christ, one neighborhood at a time. The question is, how do we accomplish this, especially since so many of us are relatively new to the city and have busy lives? Here is an exercise that I did to learn more about Columbia Heights and ways of getting involved. It was a step on this journey and one that I hope you and your Life Group can do in your neighborhood as you discern how to live out the church’s vision.

First, learn about the neighborhood and meet some neighbors. In my case, I walked around Columbia Heights and noticed some of the great existing assets. I grouped a subset of them into categories, including educational institutions, houses of worship, and other organizations catering to spiritual and emotional well-being, the arts, private sector enterprises, public and civic sector organizations, and services that promote health and wellness. They are listed in the color-coded table below, and I’ve mapped them out using color-coded dots. In case I didn’t already know it, there are lots of great things happening in Columbia Heights! It’s sure to be the case where you live as well.

Next, meet the people living and working in the neighborhood. I walk to church and make a point of shopping locally, talking to merchants, speaking to people at the bus or metro stop. I’ve started bringing baked goods to neighbors and ever since the pandemic we’ve had a tradition of gathering for drinks or a meal. This is something you and your group can start in your community. Ask those who work and live around you about their story and about the neighborhood, what they like, the challenges, and what they hope for.

Then, learn more about where you live. I keep track of events in the Washington Post Metro section, DCist, and the Washington City Paper. I’ve looked up the history, pulled some data about demographics, and watched documentaries. There are some great books in the local libraries. It’s so easy to learn a lot by investing a little time doing online research on the area. You could spend a few minutes on Next Door or other local message boards. That can quickly tell you about the local conversations (for better and for worse).

Next, pray about what you are hearing from God as you go through this exercise. Look to scripture for guidance. What stands out to you? Do you feel God drawing you in more deeply someplace?

In my case I have been involved in the education and child welfare sectors for much of my career, and there are so many ways of becoming involved in Columbia Heights, including at CHEC! In your case, or that of your group, is there an invitation or challenge that calls out to you? Have you heard something from your neighbors about a need or an injustice? How are you being transformed by these encounters? How would you like to respond? It could mean spending time in your Life Group reading The Art of Neighboring and praying about it together. You might be prompted to consider everything from raking your neighbor’s leaves, hosting a block party, working at a local nonprofit, cleaning up a local park or advocating for an issue at your local Area Neighborhood Commission (ANC) meeting, school board meeting or city council meeting.

The point of this exercise is to notice and praise God for all the wonderful things that already surround us while also building relationships that attune us to the suffering and needs that are also present. As Christ followers, prayer guides our response and equips us to love, think and act like Jesus. It shows us how to become better neighbors, co-creating a more beloved community. I’ll close with this quote I love from John Perkins, a pioneer in Christian community development.

Go to the people.

Live among them.

Learn from them.

Love them.

Start with what they know.

Build on what they have.

But of the best leaders,

When their task is accomplished,

When their work is done…

The people will remark:

“We have done it ourselves.”

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