LIVING MISSIONALLY: Neighborhood 

by Rev. Tanner Fox


In order to make this document imminently practical, we gathered the wisdom of Kim Allen, Dr. Case Thorp, and Rev. Tanner Fox to address the specifics of missional living in FAMILY, VOCATION, and NEIGHBORHOOD. These lists are not exhaustive but will give you plenty to think on as you continue to shelter at home. 

*Please note: We are not encouraging anyone to break the social distancing and stay-at-home guidelines given to us by state officials.



Be Neighborly & Generous

  • You MUST continue to abide by the social distancing and isolation recommendations in order to help contain this virus but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be neighborly. 

  • Are there neighbors around you that are more vulnerable than you are? The elderly are at great risk of contracting and suffering greatly from the virus. The poor, hourly wage workers, and small business owners are at great financial risk. Consider asking those neighbors how you might be able to love and serve them. 

  • Does a neighbor need groceries - consider using Shipt to help your neighbors get their groceries! 

  • Is your neighbor's grass getting long? Ask them if they’d like you to cut it… Is your teenager bored? …put two and two together :) 

  • Did your neighbor lose their job? Ask them about their needs and see what you can do. If the needs are too great, reach out to the church. We may be able to help! 

    • Our COVID-19 RELIEF FUND has been established to help meet the needs of our covenant partners and others in our community! CLICK HERE for more information. You may also simply submit a need at HELP@FPCO.ORG. All submissions are completely confidential.

  • Does your neighbor own a small business? What could you purchase from their company to help their revenue stream while their brick and mortar store is closed? 

  • Use this flyer (or create a similar one) for neighbors to connect and share their needs. 

  • Be creative with how you could possibly connect with your neighbors without having to be inside someone’s house or in physical contact. (ie. driveway trivia night - invite your neighbors to come sit on the edge of their driveways and host a trivia night - winner gets a roll of toilet paper!) 

  • What other ways can you be creative in loving and serving your neighbors? Crisis moments can turn us even more inward or it can open us up to a world of recognizing and meeting needs all around us.

  • While doing these things, be prepared to listen. Your neighbors have their own webs of struggle just like you do and they may need a listening ear. Offer to pray for them. 



We want to hear and see the ways that you’re Living Missionally during our time apart. Take pictures, tell your story, and tag FPCO on social media. #WeAreFirstPres -- Please also send your stories and photos to SrPastorOffice@fpco.org so that we can share and encourage our FPCO Family.



Be Outside:

These are great ways to meet your neighbors who will most likely also be outside. 

  • Go on bike rides 

  • Take a walk around the neighborhood

  • Go to the park

  • Get in the pool

  • Do yard work



Be Intentional: 

  • Limit your screen time - We are at a high risk of binging shows, spending hours on social media, etc. Consider reading books, prayer, silence and solitude. What rhythm will you build to balance all of your options? 

  • Consider creating a rule of life. A rule of life is a pattern of life developed to better form you in the likeness of Jesus and to maximize your love of God and love of others. We use simple practices like, daily prayer, rest/sabbath, silence, and  scripture to shape our lives. As Annie Dillard said, “The way we spend our days is the way we spend our lives.” Consider creating a rhythm for your time in isolation, but also look beyond these few weeks and consider a new rhythm, shaped by scripture, soaked in prayer, and stilled in silence for when life goes “back to normal!”

  • Consider writing thank you cards or notes of encouragement to friends and family during your down time. 

  • Make phone calls. Who haven’t you caught up with in a while? Old college friends, family members, co-workers? They’re likely to have a little extra time lately too. 

  • Read a book - We will be offering recommendations as the time goes on but here are a few to get you started! 

    • The Chronicles of Narnia , Mere Christianity, The Weight of Glory - C.S. Lewis

    • The Prodigal God, The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, The Reason for God - Tim Keller 

    • The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry - John Mark Comer 

    • You Are What You Love - James K. A Smith

First Pres