Who Is My Neighbor?
The ubiquitous presence of technology has generated the constant opportunity to connect with people all over the world through new avenues created by social media. However, what has become apparent is that rather than providing a place where diversity can thrive and each individual grows in their understanding of the experience of others, social media has frequently created more extreme tribalism. We choose to interact with, listen to and promote those who think, look, sound, act and have similar backgrounds, experiences and beliefs to ourselves. The months-long pandemic has only exacerbated this tendency as it has created greater isolation and removed most opportunities to interact with others outside our chosen circle.
While the idea of the “global village” is more evident today than even in the recent past, because of the connection that technology has created, neighborliness is declining. The church should be the one place where social divisions are largely non-existent. Its witness to the wider society should be compelling, a catalyst for repentance, reconciliation and community. Yet, Sunday mornings largely remain a bastion of exclusivity in contradiction to the message of the Gospel.
Fortunately, the universal Church is not limited to Sunday morning gatherings in our own unique congregational spaces. The Church is each of us living out our faith and is not bound by a physical space, or time. Our witness then is with all of our neighbors, those who live in the area of our church buildings and individual homes, but also all of those with whom each of us comes in contact throughout the week. Our neighbor is the person who lives next door, as well as those in the communities where we serve in ministry. Our neighbors are the people with whom we share office space or meet with on Zoom but also those who are bagging our groceries, collecting our trash or treating our sewage. Our neighbors are those we invite to dinner or with whom we share volunteer work but also those who cut us off on the interstate, who voted for the “wrong” candidate or occupy a cell in the local penitentiary.
The rendering of John 1:14 in The Message captures the idea of what it means to be a neighbor well, “the Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” In order for us to know God it was necessary that Jesus embody the experiences of humanity. Similarly, in order for us to bear witness of God’s love evidenced in the life of Jesus, it is necessary for us to practice that same embodiment in relation to others. That means we are the ones to practice accommodation, just like Jesus did. Whether it be in altering the way we communicate, the foods we prepare to share, the worship styles we utilize, the places and spaces in which we gather, the uses of technology…each of these represents an opportunity to engage with others outside our chosen circle on their terms. In short, my neighbor is each of those to whom God calls me to be present, to notice them, to listen to their stories, to try to understand their perspective…all those with whom we share humanity.
Being neighborly is one way we can embody the life of Jesus to others. It is a way that the incarnation of Jesus continues to be expressed in the present. It is the church as it is meant to be – inclusive and reflecting the fullness found in humanity. We should remain alert to opportunities to practice neighborliness as we move throughout our lives. Every day we have multiple chances to be a neighbor to everyone whose life intersects with our own. Thank God that the love demonstrated by Jesus is available to all no matter what neighborhood we come from.
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Dan Kreiss, RPC’s new Associate Pastor for Mission Outreach, brings with him a heart for service and a diverse array of experiences in the mission field. Be sure to subscribe to the Mission Outreach Blog to read and follow along as he documents his personal journey and shares his vision for RPC’s mission outreach commitment. Along with providing meaningful resources, this blog will help jumpstart the important conversations our church community must be having about missional living.
Dan Kreiss
Rev. Dr. Dan Kreiss is the Associate Pastor for Mission Outreach at RPC. Dan is particularly passionate about encouraging the church to reflect the diversity found in its surrounding community in regard to age, gender, ethnicity, education and economic status.