"Easter Was Fantastic! Now What?"

Easter worship was amazing! All those people! All that celebrating! “Jesus is risen! He is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!”

Now what? 

Good question.

As Susan and I were filing out of a packed sanctuary last Sunday, I wondered, “What will all these people do now?” I overheard one usher telling another that there had been 1100 people in the service. What would 1100 people full of the life and love of Jesus be able to accomplish this week in their neighborhoods if they were also full of the purpose and mission of Jesus?

And what about all the people in your Easter services? Now what? Maybe there weren’t 1100. Maybe there were 110. Maybe there were 11. Same question. Same opportunity.

Now what?

Now that we have observed and celebrated Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection… again… now that we have heard the good news of our redemption and restoration… again…, what are we going to do? Sit on the bench and run out the clock until we die and go to heaven?

No. Now that Jesus has freed us from sin and death and has restored us to His love and life, we get to follow Him and join Him on His mission.

You see, Jesus is on a mission. He was sent by His Father on a grand adventure to redeem and restore all things to His Father’s Kingdom. And He invites us to join Him.

“Come, follow Me.”

However, for many Christians, therein lies the mystery: What does it look like to “follow Jesus” in everyday life and join Him on His mission?

Does it look like following the rules? Does it look like following religious rituals? Does it look like convincing people of Jesus? Selling people on Jesus? Saving people for Jesus?

No.

The Bible says “following Jesus” looks like “loving people.”

For instance, in John 13:34 Jesus says, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Ephesians 5:2, says “…live a life of love, following the example of Christ.” In fact, “loving people” is how Jesus says everyone will recognize that we have been trained by Him, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,” John 13:35.

So, if you want to follow Jesus and join Him on His mission, it really is this simple: look for people who need a little of the abundant love you have from the Father and offer it to them. Or, as the Bible puts it, “Love your neighbor.”

Because we are baptized into Jesus (Romans 6:3), we have Jesus living in us and through us. That means to the people where we live, work, or hang out, you and I are literally the body of Christ. We are Jesus with skin on. We are the way people experience His love in the material world where they live. The love comes from Jesus, but it is experienced through us – from Him, to us, through us, to the people around us who need Him and His love so badly (1 John 4:19).

That means you get to have fun being the neighbor, co-worker, or fellow-student people enjoy having in their life. You get to be the one who smiles and waves, notices and helps, listens and understands. You get to be the one who is quick to listen, slow to become angry, and the first to apologize. You get to be the one who practices hospitality, generosity, and humility. You get to be the reason someone receives some joy, experiences some kindness, or has an advocate.

Dear friends, living a life of love is the best way to live. It is a full, rich, abundant way to live. It is how we join Jesus on His mission. And it works.

I am often asked, “I know the Bible says to love my neighbor, but when do I tell my neighbor about Jesus?” That’s easy. When they ask. At least, that’s Peter’s advice. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you…” (1 Peter 3:15).

Let me tell you a story.

About a year ago, a couple who attended one of our “Joining Jesus” trainings, decided they were going to be more intentional about meeting and getting to know their neighbors so that they could do a better job of loving their neighbors.

They began smiling and waving more. They noticed and helped more. They stopped and listened more. They teamed up with other neighbors and started having more cookouts, more game nights, and more birthday parties. And with all this, came something else. Conversations. The small talk among strangers turned into conversations among friends.

And then one evening it happened. As everyone was enjoying a fire in the backyard, one of the neighbors said to the couple, “We really enjoy hanging out with you and your family. There is just something about you… we always feel good after being with you. You’re Christians, aren’t you?”

Just like that, they were having a conversation about Jesus.

Neither the husband nor wife were theological experts, but they could tell the neighbors why they trusted and followed Jesus. To the neighbors, what the couple shared rang true because of how they had seen them live. The couple wasn’t perfect like Jesus, but they had offered love like Jesus. And the experience of that love made all the difference.

Last May, the children of those neighbors were baptized. Last fall, the whole family joined the church. It’s a cool story. But don’t forget. It all started with a couple becoming more intentional about getting to know their neighbors so they could do a better job of loving their neighbors.

The couple wrapped up their story by making an important observation, “We think our neighbors wanted to ask us about Jesus that night because we first took the time to show them Jesus in how we lived.”

Yep. The Bible says that’s how it works. Show them Jesus’ love so they can experience Jesus’ love. And then, when they ask, be ready to tell them why you trust and follow Jesus. When people experience Jesus’ love through you, it opens up their intake-valve to be more curious about Jesus’ truth as well. They want to hear more because of what they have seen and experienced with you.

From Jesus, to you, through you, to the neighbors around you who need His love so badly.

Joining Jesus on His mission: It’s simpler than you think and a lot more fun! 

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Would you and your congregation like to begin joining Jesus on His mission this spring and summer? It’s the time of year when neighboring is most natural. In the months ahead, your congregation could start having their own stories like the family above. And Dwelling 1:14 can help.

We offer online, 90-minute “Neighboring Workshops.” Greg Finke leads the workshop live and walks participants through a simple process that results in everyone having a self-identified plan for joining Jesus in their neighborhood or wherever they travel this summer.

The workshops are offered on a weeknight of your choosing sometime before mid-June. After the workshop, Greg will also schedule three follow-up Zooms to continue coaching participants as they implement their plans throughout the summer.

Interested? Contact Greg at finkeonthemove@gmail.com or call 281-844-7644.

“Neighboring in the Season of Social Distancing”

“The fields are ripe.” John 4:35

As spring spreads across our land but the pandemic lingers, one of the main questions I am asked is, “How do we find ways to hang out with people and build friendships when social distancing may last for many months?”

Good question.

Here in St. Paul, while the governor is following a plan for opening up the state, people still have a high motivation for remaining safe.  And I, for one, am a fan of not catching the virus either.  I know of too many people who have gotten seriously ill and have even died to not remain diligent.  Having said that, it is spring and people are out and about, albeit while remaining 6+ feet about. 

Here are three things to know about neighboring in this season of social distancing:

1.       Ripeness is accelerating.  Don’t delay your neighboring.

2.       How to get started with neighboring and still respect social distancing.

3.       How to take relationships to the next level and still respect social distancing.

Ripeness is Accelerating

You’ve probably already noticed, but being housebound and practicing social distancing have actually accelerated people’s ripeness for connecting with neighbors.  I’ve had more conversations with neighbors over the last four weeks (from six feet apart, of course) than I have had over the last eight months combined.  People are ready to connect.  There’s an openness that wasn’t there before.  They want to wave, smile, see how you are and tell a little of their story.  They care.

Usually the toughest part of living missionally is getting to the point where you can have open, unhurried conversations with your neighbors.  In the U.S., we have been successfully ignoring each other for so long that it can take months of BBQ’s and other intentional gatherings to just break the ice.  Now that process has been wonderfully accelerated.  Unhurried conversations that previously would have taken months to earn are now happening in an encounter or two.  People are ripe.

Don’t Delay Your Neighboring

Because the season of social distancing has produced a season of ripeness, don’t delay your neighboring.  It may not last long.  People are notorious for “getting back to normal” as soon as a crisis has passed.

If you haven’t been doing much neighboring yet, here’s how to get started and still respect social distancing:

1.       Take daily walks around your neighborhood looking for the people who are out, as well.  Be intentional about looking people in the eye, waving and saying “hi.”  On each walk, watch for people you have seen before.  If they are in their yard, find something to compliment.  Ask how they are hanging in there.  If they live nearby, introduce yourself.  

2.       As you take your walks, pray for each household you pass.

3.       In our new neighborhood, my wife uses sidewalk chalk to write encouraging words and Bible passages along the sidewalk in front of our house.  She includes messages like, “Do a little dance,” “Sing a little song,” “Give a little cheer,” “What are you thankful for?”  People enjoy the messages and even whip out their phones to take pictures.

4.       Then we sit out front most evenings, about 30 feet away, with a glass of wine and chat with whoever God brings by. We've had some pretty cool conversations with complete strangers as well as deepened connections with neighbors who are regularly out for a walk that time of day.

5.       Another strategy many are using is a good old fashioned note through the mail. Decide how many households around your home you would like to meet.  Then write them a note and send it in the U.S. mail.  Include your name, address, email address, phone number and your picture (so they will recognize you when they see you in your front yard).  You could include a few details of your story.  Then encourage them.  “We’re in this together.”  “Let us know how we can help you.” “We pray for you every day.  Let us know if you would like us to pray for anything specific.”  Then invite them to email you, call or text… or just stop by the next time they are out for a walk and see you in your front yard.

If you already have been getting to know your neighbors, here’s how to take relationships to the next level and still respect social distancing.  Having a nice meal together and lingering around the dinner table isn’t recommended anytime soon.  But you can still hang out with neighbors and enjoy unhurried conversations from a safe distance.  Here’s what you can do:

1.       Driveway Parties are a great choice. Neighbors enjoy unhurried conversations while sipping on a beverage in their separate driveways. Some prefer sitting in a wide circle around a fire. I have a buddy in my old neighborhood who texted me that every Wednesday evening, six families hangout together in their separate driveways. He said, "It's the best 2-3 hours of the week right now."

2.       My wife and I have enjoyed a number of get togethers with other couples while still respecting social distancing.  We watch the weather forecast and invite them to come over with their own snacks, etc. to sit outdoors, about ten feet apart, and catch up.  It is a wonderful time of connection. The conversations quickly become transparent.  People are ripe for care, Good News and unhurried conversation.

3.       My wife and I are in a neighborhood wine club. We now meet via Zoom and the conversations continue to happen and deepen.

4.       On our block some have enjoyed “brewery hopping” via Zoom while staying in their own homes. They get beers from different breweries, jump on Zoom and talk about the beers and life.

5.       I'm having a cup of coffee with a young leader from another state on Zoom next week. He's mailing me his favorite coffee blend so we can share it as we connect and talk.

Here’s the point: God has positioned you for such a time as this.  The fields are ripe.  If we open our eyes and our hearts to what God has prepared in our neighbors, we will see an acceleration of grace and truth in our neighborhoods.  Jesus is on the move!  Woohoo and alleluia!

Because You Just Never Know...

Fellow Neighborhood Missionaries, this is why we do what we do. This is why we cast the seed of attention, conversation and interaction with our neighbors - because you just never know what Jesus may be up to.

Mark and Malinda had lived in their neighborhood for 20 years. And for 15 of those years they had diligently tried to avoid a certain couple that were... well, shall we say "rough around the edges." They drank, smoked and had tattoos. They were a little too loud for everyone else in the neighborhood.  You know the type.

Then Jesus decided to intrude on Mark and Malinda's tidy little attitude and routine. (Yep, this is what we refer to as "Jesus messing with us.") You see, their congregation had gone through a book called, "Joining Jesus on His Mission" and, in a word, Mark and Malinda knew it was time to repent of their attitude. They knew it was well past time for them to go down and re-introduce themselves to their neighbors of 15 years.

And, wouldn't you know it, just as they decided to do this, a "For Sale" sign went up in the neighbors yard! They couldn't believe it. They felt terrible. Here they had successfully avoided their neighbors for 15 years and now that they were finally ready to get over themselves and join Jesus, their neighbors were going to move. Wow.

However, instead of giving up in defeat, Mark and Malinda immediately headed down the block to do something they knew they should have done long ago: knock on the door, say hi, and ask how their neighbors were doing.

And when they did, well, like we said, you just never know what Jesus may already be up to. Turns out Mark and Malinda were warmly received and had a great conversation with their neighbors. They found out their neighbors were worried about the sale of their home.  They needed to get a certain price in order to be able to do what they wanted to do in their next season of life. Their realtor, unfortunately, was not optimistic.

When it came time for Mark and Malinda to go, Mark took a bit of a chance and asked, "Before we go, would you mind if I prayed for the sale of your house?" Surprisingly, the couple quickly agreed and even wanted to hold hands for the prayer!  Afterwards, Mark and Malinda headed back to their house truly amazed at how Jesus had set everything up. But it was only the beginning. They hadn't been back in their home for 15 minutes before the phone rang.  It was their neighbor. She was breathless. "You're not going to believe it!" she said. "We just got off the phone with our realtor. We got an offer on the house and they offered ABOVE THE ASKING PRICE!"

Fellow Missionaries, this is why we do what we do. You just never know what Jesus may be up to! Don't judge your neighbor or ignore your neighbor. Have fun casting the seed of attention, conversation and interaction with your neighbors.

Because you just never know.