Neighborhood Chaplaincy Blog 

The great theologian and philosopher Dallas Willard once wrote: 

We were built to count, as water is made to run downhill. We are placed in a specific context to count in ways no one else does. That is our destiny. 

God has placed you in a specific context – a family, a neighborhood, a workplace, a team, or a school – to count. Your presence in that place isn’t a coincidence, but God is working out His wonderful plan for the reconciliation of all things, and He’s inviting you to join that work, across the street and around the world. 

To that end, we want to invite you to think about how you might engage with others around you as an intentional witness of Jesus’ Good News. Our church is joining Baptist World Alliance’s Neighborhood Chaplain initiative, in which followers of Jesus commit to living as hopeful, healing, and hospitable ambassadors of Jesus in their neighborhoods. We’ve written blogs outlining ways to get started in that work. Looking to get going? We suggest reading those blogs listed here: 

• What is a Neighborhood Chaplain? 

• Begin with Prayer – Part 1 

• Begin with Prayer – Part 2 

• Listen 

• Eat 

• Serve 

Looking for resources to help you share the Good News of Jesus? Try inviting someone to read the Bible with you, and use this guide to help them get to know God through Scripture. 

Ready to commit to being an intentional presence for Jesus in your neighborhood? Sign Baptist World Alliance’s Neighborhood Chaplain commitment. 

Consider using Bless Every Home as an app or webpage to help you engage with your neighbors. 

Do you lead a Bible study? Luke Stehr can lead an in-class Neighborhood Chaplaincy training for your group! Sing up for a Sunday morning slot here. Have you already had an introductory training and are looking for something deeper? Email Luke at luke.stehr@fbca.org.