The Art of Neighboring

by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon

Pathak and Runyon start with a simple, convicting question: Do you know the full name of the person next door? Most Christians, they argue, have turned “love your neighbor” into a slogan instead of a practice.

Their tool for changing that is a “block map,” a 3x3 grid with your house in the center. Readers are asked to fill in what they actually know about each neighbor around them.

• Names of the neighbors closest to you
• Basic facts about their lives
• Their worldview and beliefs
• Small, consistent steps to build real connection
• Common barriers, like fear, time, or awkwardness

In this time of unprecedented mobility and increasing isolationism, it’s hard to make lasting connections with those who live right outside our front door. Through compelling true stories, The Art of Neighboring shows us how to create genuine friendships with those who live in closest proximity to us.