I met Jamie at the Image of God Conference at Grace Church in Middleburg Heights. She wrote –

So much of what you said really resonated with me. My husband and I recently endured the loss of my husband’s father. It occurred to us as we were going through that difficult time that we really only had one set of neighbors that we could call on for help, prayers, conversation, etc.

While we know many of our neighbors, we don’t really know them.

It  made me wonder, how many of them might be going through a difficult time in their lives and could use the help and support of others….especially those close by.

I’d like to start a Neighborhood Cafe but I’m a little overwhelmed at the idea of it. I have many of the same excuses that you had when your idea first came to you! I think your advice of starting with an open house is a good one but how do I make the transition from an open house (i.e. meet and greet) to something more personal.

I’d love to get some ideas on how to set my plan in motion.

From How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird – pages 149-150

Since I also host a Neighborhood Café Bible study after my Open House, I always mention it. I don’t ever want my neighbors to feel that I’ve pulled a bait-and-switch tactic to trick them into Bible study. I usually say something like this—

“After the Open House, we’re going to continue to get together every other Friday morning. We’ll always have some good food to share, and I’ll read a devotional after we spend some time getting to know each other. The dates are on the back of your invitation.”

This is met with either excitement or indifference. Women who never go to church have embraced the idea, and faithful churchgoers have said, “That’s just not my thing.” Their response is not my responsibility, I remind myself. Sometimes a woman will reply, “I already have a church,” in which case I assure her that a neighborhood Bible study unites women from many different churches; I also let her know all women in the neighborhood are invited regardless of where they attend church— even if they don’t attend church at all.

“Even if you aren’t able or interested in the devotional, I do hope you’ll come to the Open House just to say hello and meet some of our neighbors. I’m inviting everyone on our street.”

I want my neighbors to know that the Open House is for everyone, even if they have no intent or desire to come to the Bible study.

• Read more STORIES