God has a purpose for you: to love your neighbors and reflect Christ to them. Yes, even the odd ones. I’ll never forget the first time my wife and I spotted “bathrobe guy.” That’s what we called him, at least until we learned his real name. From the hill where our house sat, we had a perfect view into several nearby yards, including his. Nearly every day, we’d watch him in his backyard, robed and barefoot, gathering sticks from the neighborhood and performing what could only be described as a kind of interpretive dance around a small fire. My wife and I were fascinated. Then came the moment of conviction.
“We should go meet him,” she said.
“What? And lose our daily entertainment?” I protested half-jokingly, fully convicted.
The next day, she baked cookies and walked over. I waited like a kid waiting for a report from a spy mission.
“Well? What did he say?”
“His name is Ernie,” she replied. “And he’s actually really nice.”
“Did you ask about the robe… and the dancing?”
“Nope. But I did invite him to church.”
I’ll admit, part of me hoped he’d show up in the robe and start dancing during the worship songs. But that moment taught me something: you can’t mock your neighbors and love them like Jesus at the same time. A healthy spiritual life includes a heart for the people right outside your front door. If we don’t share Christ’s love out there, we won’t grow much in here.
God’s mission sends us to the nations, but it also sends us across the street. For some, getting on a plane is a bold move. For others, it’s stepping across the lawn and saying hello to a neighbor who seems… different. But everyone needs the gospel, even those who dance in bathrobes.
As Paul wrote, “Christ’s love controls us” (2 Corinthians 5:14, NLT). Your home, your job, your school—they’re not accidents. God has placed you exactly where He wants you. Your neighbors are not random. They’re part of God’s plan. Even the quirky ones.
Loving the People Right Next Door
God’s mission moves forward through one primary vehicle: the church. Just as many different types of cars share the road, a variety of churches—each with their own style and personality—carry the good news of Jesus. No single congregation owns the Kingdom, and every Bible-believing church can be a powerful force for God’s mission.
In your neighborhood, people will typically view your church in one of three ways:
-
- Negative – They know who you are and wish you weren’t there.
- Neutral – They don’t know you or don’t have an opinion either way.
- Positive – They know who you are and are glad you’re part of the community.
Unfortunately, some churches stand out for the wrong reasons. I once saw an invite card that said, “We’re probably not the church for you!”—followed by a list of things the church was against. The message came through loud and clear, but not in a way that pointed anyone to Jesus.
More often, however, churches are simply unknown. People drive by the campus daily without knowing anything about the congregation inside. In our research and consulting work across North America, this “neutral zone” is where most churches live. When we interview local residents, we hear the same phrases again and again:
“I’ve never heard of that church.”
“I didn’t know that was a church.”
“I have no idea what they do.”
Sometimes the church is literally across the street. Our goal should be to move from unknown or misunderstood to positively known by loving our neighbors well and building trust. How do you shift the neighborhood’s perspective?
Invite neighbors to worship—and to lunch.
Imagine if even ten percent of your congregation made it a regular habit to invite neighbors to worship and then shared a meal afterward, either at home or in a local restaurant. This simple act communicates hospitality, care, and a desire for genuine connection. Meals have a way of disarming people and creating space for spiritual conversations. Your neighbors may not remember every point in the sermon, but they will remember how your people made them feel over lunch.
Sponsor and coach local sports teams.
My church, West Bradenton, sponsors youth sports teams when a church member is the coach. It’s more than a financial contribution; it’s a relational investment. Practices and games become opportunities for gospel influence. Coaches pray with players, show integrity, and build relationships with parents. Over time, these connections often open doors for conversations about faith, life, and the church.
Join neighborhood civic organizations.
Most communities have local service clubs and nonprofits that are doing good work. Trust is built when church members and leaders show up not to control the agenda but to serve. You don’t need to turn every civic meeting into a Bible study. Just be present, consistent, and helpful. Over time, people begin to associate your church with care and concern for the community’s well-being.
Hold meaningful Christmas Eve services.
Christmas Eve is the one night each year when many unchurched individuals are open to attending church. They may be nostalgic, lonely, or just seeking hope. Don’t treat it like a checkbox on the calendar. Plan intentionally. Preach clearly. Make guests feel welcomed and expected. A well-executed Christmas Eve service can be the spark that ignites someone’s spiritual journey.
Support foster families.
Foster families often feel overwhelmed and isolated. Churches can step in with meals, supplies, prayer, and emotional support. If even one family in your church fosters, dozens of people in the community—caseworkers, biological parents, teachers—are touched by your church’s compassion. Foster care is hard and holy work. Supporting it makes your church an advocate for the vulnerable.
Open your facility to local nonprofits.
Too many church buildings sit empty six days a week. Why not use your space to bless others? We partnered with a Christian preschool, and now our campus is full of life from Monday to Friday. We also host meetings and events for local nonprofits, which help integrate the church into the community’s daily rhythm. These partnerships lead to gospel conversations and deeper trust.
Begin a prayer-walking ministry.
There’s something powerful about walking your neighborhood, praying over homes, schools, and streets. Prayer-walking helps your congregation develop spiritual sensitivity and local awareness. As members walk and pray, they’ll begin to see people not as strangers, but as neighbors loved by God. When people in the community know your church prays for them, it reframes how they see your presence.
Every church has the potential to make a lasting difference in its neighborhood, not by being the biggest or flashiest, but by being faithful, present, and loving. The goal isn’t to impress the community, but to serve it in the name of Jesus. When your church is known for hospitality, generosity, and compassion, people will take notice. Start where you are. Use what you have. And trust that God will use your church to shine a light right where He has placed you.
The Opportunity: Lead with Hope and Expect God to Move
My first church was a megachurch—of six people. When I arrived as a 24-year-old pastor, they hadn’t held a worship service in over two years. I was completely green, and they had done very little ministry in quite some time. One man was holding the congregation together. His name was Herbie. He had more tattoos than teeth and a spiritual gift of grit. I’ll never forget how, if my sermons ran too long, he’d spark up a Marlboro in the back of the sanctuary. He gave new meaning to 2 Corinthians 2:15: “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.”
One day, Herbie said, “We’ve got to start going door-to-door again.” I agreed. Our rural community had about 500 residents. I was bi-vocational and drove two hours each way on the weekends. So we picked a Saturday and set out to meet every neighbor in town.
At the first house, someone answered the door. I introduced myself as the new pastor. That’s when I realized Herbie and I had slightly different strategies. Without missing a beat, he jumped in and said, “We don’t have air conditioning in the church. You should give us some money, so you’re not roasting when you come visit.” Then he stuck out his hand.
Somehow, it worked. That summer, we visited most of the homes in town. The neighbors gave enough to pay for a brand-new A/C system, and about 30 people started attending church. Was our approach ideal? Not even close. But God honored our steps. We weren’t the best messengers, but we went.
Discipleship isn’t just about filling your head with knowledge. You’ve got to put your feet in motion, too. So, how can you use your feet to bring good news to someone nearby? Invite a neighbor to church and cover lunch afterward. Send an encouraging text and let someone know you prayed for them. Write a letter to a friend who’s going through a rough time.
Herbie taught me you don’t have to be slick or polished to love your community well. You just have to be real—and willing. He was rough around the edges, and let’s be honest, his methods were uniquely his. But God used him because he showed up and walked the streets with good news in his heart.
Too often, we use the word hope with a tinge of doubt. “I hope my team wins,” we say, knowing they probably won’t. “I hope our church grows,” we admit, unsure if it’s possible. And when I open the freezer and say, “I hope there’s ice cream,” past experience (and my kids’ appetites) suggests otherwise. But biblical hope is different. It’s not wishful thinking; it’s confident expectation. In Scripture, hope is rooted in the character and promises of God. It doesn’t waver or second-guess. It looks forward with certainty because it trusts the One who holds the future.
Yes, national statistics may indicate that the church in North America is trending downward. But that doesn’t have to be your story. Your church can defy the trend. As a leader, you cannot surrender to pessimism. Negativity is not only discouraging, but also contagious. And in the church, it becomes a heavy anchor holding back what God wants to do.
It’s time to choose optimism grounded in God’s power and promises. Pessimism is a burden; optimism is an act of faith. Not every optimist becomes a great leader, but every great leader must be an optimist. Your role as a church leader includes casting a vision of hope and possibility. People follow leaders who believe God is at work and act like it.
So take the first step. Be the one who moves forward in evangelism. If your church is stuck, be the person who gets unstuck and helps others do the same. Throughout Scripture and church history, God has repeatedly used one person to ignite a movement. Why not you? Start by leading with your life. Share the gospel. Model bold faith. The Great Commission can once again become central in your church, and it can begin with you.
Posted on March 9, 2026
As President of Church Answers, Sam Rainer wears many hats. From podcast co-host to full-time Pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church, Sam’s heart for ministry and revitalization are evident in all he does.
More from Sam
