God Next Door: Spirituality & Mission in the Neighbourhood
Simon Carey HoltPaperback 2007-01-01
Simon Carey Holt has listened to the experiences of numerous men and women of faith living in a variety of urban and suburban neighbourhoods, and uncovered the spiritual possibilities of our neighbourhoods. His inspiring stories open up exciting new possibilities for 21st century mission.* What if God lived next door?* Would you recognise him? * Would you talk to him at the fence or avoid catching his eye? * Would you love him as you love yourself?
Isn't it ironic when the single most recognised Christian responsibility to others 'to love your neighbour as yourself' is generalised as a command to love everyone, with little reference to real neighbours in the same street who remain virtually anonymous. And what does it mean for our understanding of 'loving neighbour' when churches replace locality references with more catchy names that reflect ethos rather than locality? 'Regional' or 'city' focused churches or ones established in less communal settings, such as factory complexes also diminish the focus on local communities.
Beautifully written, easily read and full of real stories Holt reminds us of how the local neighbourhood can be a place of ministry and of God's presence. God Next Door shows how life and ministry can be enriched by an intentional focus on the place and the people near where we live.
Choosing to engage with our neighbourhoods as places of community requires a level of creativity and purpose but Simon Holt shows that the rewards are great for both families and churches. Nurturing community in the local area is a challenging task but it ought to be seen as an intentional one for Christians a vital part of the mission of the church.
-Publisher.
Publisher Description
WINNER AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2008. What if God lived next door? Would you recognise him, talk to him at the fence or avoid catching his eye? Simon Carey Holt has uncovered the spiritual possibilities of our urban and suburban neighbourhoods. Simon Carey Holt is Lecturer in Spirituality at Whitley College (University of Melbourne & Melbourne College of Divinity).
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Simon Carey Holt has listened to the experiences of numerous men and women of faith living in a variety of urban and suburban neighbourhoods, and uncovered the spiritual possibilities of our neighbourhoods. His inspiring stories open up exciting new possibilities for 21st century mission.* What if God lived next door?* Would you recognise him? * Would you talk to him at the fence or avoid catching his eye? * Would you love him as you love yourself?
Isn't it ironic when the single most recognised Christian responsibility to others 'to love your neighbour as yourself' is generalised as a command to love everyone, with little reference to real neighbours in the same street who remain virtually anonymous. And what does it mean for our understanding of 'loving neighbour' when churches replace locality references with more catchy names that reflect ethos rather than locality? 'Regional' or 'city' focused churches or ones established in less communal settings, such as factory complexes also diminish the focus on local communities.
Beautifully written, easily read and full of real stories Holt reminds us of how the local neighbourhood can be a place of ministry and of God's presence. God Next Door shows how life and ministry can be enriched by an intentional focus on the place and the people near where we live.
Choosing to engage with our neighbourhoods as places of community requires a level of creativity and purpose but Simon Holt shows that the rewards are great for both families and churches. Nurturing community in the local area is a challenging task but it ought to be seen as an intentional one for Christians a vital part of the mission of the church.
-Publisher.
Publisher Description
WINNER AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2008. What if God lived next door? Would you recognise him, talk to him at the fence or avoid catching his eye? Simon Carey Holt has uncovered the spiritual possibilities of our urban and suburban neighbourhoods. Simon Carey Holt is Lecturer in Spirituality at Whitley College (University of Melbourne & Melbourne College of Divinity).