We don’t always realise how important neighbourliness is you and me together with another presence – the presence of God. So relationships are critical in that sense. Edgar For that to happen, we have to be where the people are and not wait for them to come to us, isn’t that right? Ian Yes. If we can create an intersection between home, neighbourhood and our worship engagement and we see a connectivity happening. We have explored an approach called Salt: story, appreciation, listening and team. By appreciating the story of others, listening and learning, and doing this as a small team, trust can grow and we can discern the grace of God in Christ better. Alison During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have had people asking over the garden fence, ‘How are you today?’ There have been long conversations and neighbours telling each other more personal things because they couldn’t get out and distract themselves. Our neighbourhood started to be more connected. The pandemic has helped us see each other better as neighbours.
WALKING WITH COMMUNITIES
Ian And we have seen the faith underpinning people’s lives begin to percolate through. People are normally quite reserved, but when that reserve goes, we can talk. I think we need courage and trust to reach out. What I’m finding is that the people I interact with want to share their story, if they know that I’m genuinely interested. We have to take the initiative – not as an intrusion, but as a catalyst to a conversation that is about them. And, when trust grows, we have not just friendship encounters but a glimpse of faith encounters. Sara People do try to be good neighbours, but are you saying we need to go a bit deeper? Alison We don’t always realise how important neighbourliness is. It’s hugely important and, if we combine that with praying for our neighbours, God can start to make changes. We have to ask God to show us how to love our neighbours better.
Walking with Communities is an experiential memoir of a 30-year health and healing pilgrimage. Through participating with communities around the world, Ian and Alison have witnessed God’s healing grace and the amazing capacity of communities to deal with crisis and conflict when appropriately accompanied. In 2018 Ian embarked on a 28-day, 630-mile journey on the South West Coast Path in England. Sustained listening through daily encounters on the path led Ian to recall stories from the past 30 years and to reflect on and document their meaning. Each chapter represents one day’s journey on the path and focuses on a global community story, leading to a synthesis of learning around one theme. Photos and illustrations lead the reader through the narrative. Walking with Communities will be useful to those already in community development and mission work and to anyone with a heart for real encounters with people and the healing presence of God in their neighbourhood. with Communities is available from sps-shop.com priced £25
O Walking
Ian meets Phil on the coast path
Salvationist 30 April 2022
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