A question of context: neighbours

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Do you know your neighbours?

The research below is very interesting and I have been greatly challenged by it in recent days.

Some 96% of the over-65s among the 2,000 people asked said they knew their neighbours' names, but the figure fell to 66% among those aged under 25.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8393872.stm

On Tuesday morning two of the Children from next door came and gave me a Christmas card with "To Lizzy, Matt and Ruby the dog" on the envelope. Sadly I can't remember their names and can't say that I have had a long enought conversation to find out what they do, what school the kids go to or what faith they are.

Memo to self: Practice what you preach.

Matt

Books

A new kind of Christian by Brian Mclaren - this book did my head in, in a good way.
Blood and Fire by Roy Hattersley - Hard going but well worth a read.
Fearfully and wonderfully made by Phillip Yancey and Dr Brand - this is a really good book. Helpful insight into the connections between our physical bodies and the body of Christ, the church.
Intelligant Church by Steve Chalke - A really great read and has challenged a lot of my thoughts about the place of the church in community.
Life on the Edge by Richard Hammond - really interesting book and and easy read.
Prayer by Phillip Yancey - A deep insight into prayer but it was hard work.
Seven Ways to Change the World by Jim Wallis - If you care about the world and how to go about making a difference in it then you need to read this. It is written with from an American Political perspective but it is brilliant.
The Secret Message of Jesus by Brian Mclaren - Brilliant, will challenge all you pre-concieved ideas about the gospel.
Total Church by Steve Timmis and Tim Chester - I got a lot out of this book but found some of it a little idealistic.
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell - Awesome