If you've spent any time at New Covenant in the past two months or so, you've undoubtedly heard a few things about being a “2:8 Neighbor.” It’s based on 1 Thessalonians 2:8, which says: “…Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

So what does it look like to be a 2:8 Neighbor? Here are a few recent examples from our church family.

From Kevin & Courtney Delecki, whose kids found a way to practice what they’d been hearing in Sunday sermons at church recently:

‘My three kids introduced themselves to a neighborhood family with young children and spent the evening playing with them outside. We had no idea where they had wandered off to, and eventually found them chatting and catching bubbles with the 3 and 5 year olds across the street. This allowed Kevin and myself to get to know the parents and start up a relationship that will continue to grow! I am in awe of the fearlessness in which our children make friends, and I hope we can all be that willing to pursue others in the name of Christ.’

And from Steve & Heather Adolphs, a family who found ways to serve and celebrate with neighbors in need after the derecho:

‘The derecho literally broke down barriers between us and our backyard neighbors (as in, fences and hedges) and created opportunities to get to know and love on our neighbors that might not have been there before the storm. We've been talking with them more and serving them more. As I was chatting with one of the neighbors, I remembered Andrew Boone’s challenge to have the next step in mind, so I decided to invite all the neighbors together for a BBQ! A total of six families showed up.’

And from Pat Rieck, whose neighborhood potluck offered a time to deepen existing relationships and process together the impact the derecho had on them:

‘We talked about the good from the derecho and also the hard. One person said that the healing on our street started when we all joined in together to clean up our neighborhood. Everyone did their part! Now we celebrate our deeper connections with those in our cul-de-sac and blessed by those who helped! This gathering was a great way to close the derecho chapter and start a new one knowing each other even more.’

We love to hear these stories of 2:8 neighboring. We hope you'll share yours with us, and keep looking for ways to pursue and practice in our neighborhoods.