‘How is my neighbour?’ conference report The UK’s 12 million children and teenagers are among the unhappiest and unhealthiest in Europe1 and in 2012 5 million people aged over 60 said they now consider the television to be their only source of company. These statistics are alarming and they can feel overwhelming. In a time of austerity, when many local statutory services and charities are having their budgets cut, it’s easy to lose sight of what difference simply loving our neighbours can make. This command of Jesus is both incredibly simple and also perhaps more challenging than ever. Do we know how our neighbours really are? In late November 2012 Livability’s Community Mission team gathered 60 people to talk about both individual and community wellbeing. Church leaders, medical students, trustees, financiers, designers, community workers and many others interested in these questions came together to participate in the conversation. The day started with a session outlining a Christian approach to wellbeing, challenging delegates to equate it with the Biblical concept of ‘shalom’. Later-seven ‘TED-style’ talks gave delegates snapshots of different approaches, ideas and projects relating to wellbeing. From mentoring to environmentalism, measuring happiness to responding to dementia, each short talk gave a different insight into this rich topic. The day finished with a taster of Livability’s Happiness Course, a new tool Livability is developing for churches to engage their communities. Throughout the day we had live art being done in the corner in response to what was being said, the result being 4 beautiful pieces of art that speak of neighbours, pain, community and hope. This was a full day with a wide range of topics covered, with the aim of starting a conversation about how the church can have a role in improving the wellbeing of both individuals and the community. There is currently a growing interest in wellbeing within the government and third sector, and this is an area in which the church has had a huge impact. Christians historically have been at the heart of reforms aimed at improving wellbeing; from schools to slavery, hospitals to social enterprise. Livability itself comes from this heritage, with Lord Shaftesbury having set up the Shaftsbury society to improve the wellbeing of those who were most vulnerable, feeling compelled to act by his Christian faith. William Wilberforce campaigned on issues ranging from slavery to schooling, again to improve the wellbeing of those who needed it most. We have something to say, and much to share. The aim of the ‘How is my neighbour?’ day was to challenge those attending to think more broadly around the topic of wellbeing. Why does an individual need to go to a food bank? Is there a way that we as a church can prevent that need arising in the first place? Is there something that we can do to improve the long term wellbeing and sustainability of our local community? Above all, the personalised language of the title, ‘How is my neighbour’ was deliberately pitched to challenge delegates personally at a time when our social response as Christians is largely about projects. Being a good neighbour goes to the heart of the Christian message and challenges us to take seriously the wellbeing of the people living next door, above or below us. 1
(CPAG 2009)
Feedback from delegates tells a story not just of a useful networking opportunity, but of real inspiration. One went home and knocked on a neighbour’s door. Their conversation resulted in a Christmas party for the whole street. Another delegate investigated local mentoring opportunities. The whole day was intended to be the start of something; a conversation and a movement towards helping the church better fulfil its role to live out God’s shalom, fleshed out in every neighbourhood. We are looking forward to continuing the conversation through more events, developing new training resources and gathering stories of what happens when people truly ask ‘How is my neighbour?’
Please visit www.livability.org.uk/church for more information.