The Art of Neighboring

Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door

By: Jay Pathak, Dave Runyon

Narrated by: Carlos Erbach

Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

When Jesus was asked to sum up everything into one command, he said to love God with everything we have and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Most of us have turned this simple idea of loving our neighbors into a nice saying, putting it on bumper stickers and refrigerator magnets and then going on with our lives without actually putting it into practice. What would happen if every follower of Jesus took the Great Commandment literally? Is it possible that the solution to our society’s biggest issues has been right under our noses for the past 2,000 years?

Once upon a time, people knew their neighbors. They talked to them, had cook-outs with them, and went to church with them. In our time of unprecedented mobility and increasing isolationism, it's hard to make lasting connections with those who live right outside our front door. We have hundreds of "friends" through online social networking, but we often don't even know the full name of the person who lives right next door. This unique and inspiring book asks the question: What is the most loving thing I can do for the people who live on my street or in my apartment building? Through compelling true stories of lives impacted, the authors explain how to create genuine friendships with the people who live in closest proximity to us.

©2012 Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon (P)2012 Brilliance Audio

The great commandment in everyday life

This is a great book to help give you ideas, step-by-step instructions, and to help us show the love of Jesus! This book helps us build relationships with our neighbors that leads to better communities, better cities, and ultimately helps us fulfill our purpose Jesus called us to do!

Loved the story, not the robot.

I'm 100% on board with "The Art of Neighboring." I really want to reach my neighbors for Jesus.
I'm not on board with having a robot read to me. At least that was my conclusion after trying to listen to this. I managed most of the chapters but it was very distracting.

Recommended it to lots of people!

If you could sum up The Art of Neighboring in three words, what would they be?

Communities must read!

What did you like best about this story?

It lays out a very simple way to help people connect with their neighbors, anyone can do this. It then will lead to neighborhoods connecting and potentionally whole communities.

Have you listened to any of Carlos Erbach’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first Carlos Erbach but I would listen to others. Very easy to listen to.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from The Art of Neighboring?

I have already used it in a sermon and will use it as a study at my church. Have already shared it with two neighboring faith communities.

Any additional comments?

I live in a very rural neighborhood, but most of my neighbors and I practice this way of neighboring with intentionality. This will help me teach others to do what we have been doing!

Good advice, I'd like the non-secular version

What did you like best about The Art of Neighboring? What did you like least?

The Pros: Good advice and real world-ish examples of neighboring. The Cons: Jesus H. Christ, they bring up the Lord and Christianity a whole lot. I did not read the description carefully enough. This was like Sunday School!

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Nice wrap-up. Good use of sentences.

What three words best describe Carlos Erbach’s voice?

Non-offensive.Beaming with the Lord's juice.

Could you see The Art of Neighboring being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

God no. The corpse of Fred Rogers.

Any additional comments?

No, why do you ask?

Good reminder, but...

I enjoyed this book and the lesson of getting to know first-hand those who live around us. The importance of this message is one that needs not to be forgotten, though in our busied, hurried life, we often push aside personal contact with those right next door.

My only objections are that it is often repetitive and therefore a bit too long. It could have been said much more succinctly rather than trying to get the idea cross by repetition.

Excellent read!

This book really changed my thoughts on what it means to be a good neighbor and what Jesus said about it as well. If you decide to read this book go in with an open mind and heart.

Like a good neighbor…

We should be good neighbors to those living near us. My wife and I will begin this process within the next thirty days. Thank you for authoring a difference maker.

Narrator sounds like a robot

I genuinely thought this book was being read by a computer. the content of the book is good but the lack of emotion from the narrator makes it difficult to become enthralled.

Great Tools

encouraged after finishing this book to fulfill the great commission! Used with small group and enjoy the stories of how they are all building strong communication with neighbors

Exactly what I needed to hear

This was eye opening and insightful. In this season of my life it was exactly what I needed to hear. This was part of a women’s group book club in my neighborhood and it really showed me the areas which I have avoided and my being a good neighbor to others has suffered.