Neighborliness by David Docusen

Do you want to love your neighbor as yourself but don’t know where to start? This practical, accessible guide to bridging the dividing lines of politics, race, and economics, both individually and as the church, will help you amplify Jesus in your community and build God’s kingdom.  

When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus gave a two-part answer: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and also “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   

Love God. Love others.   

Jesus’ simple command to love your neighbor can feel overwhelming when your neighbor looks, lives, and votes differently than you do. Racial and economic tensions across the country have resulted in deep dividing lines that seem really intimidating to cross.   

Docusen breaks down these lines in approachable chapters, including topics like these: 

• how to actively seek out people you can benefit and encourage,
• what it means to find a diverse and supportive community that fulfills needs, 
• examples of real-life experiences, including highlights and missteps of Docusen’s ongoing journey, and
• how churches can teach on difficult topics with grace and truth.

Neighborliness is a practical guide to bridging those dividing lines and learning to recognize and amplify the beauty of God in our communities. Backed by David’s speaking and training through the Neighborliness Center, this book will help individuals and churches reach out to their neighbors, love them through Christ, and build God’s kingdom. 

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MY REVIEW

In David Docusen's book, "Neighborliness," he teaches how to walk in the fullness of Jesus' commandment to love our neighbors. Our neighbors aren't just the ones in our neighborhood. We need to step outside our comfort zone and fulfill the commandment by reaching out to those who come from different backgrounds. We start with new relationships-get to really know them-their needs and culture.

We need to also learn to have honest conversations about tough topics-learn to love like Jesus. We are each given the commandment as children of God and with each of us showing love towards others, we can change our world.

David also reminds us we can't love God and be lovers of money. God has to come first in our lives. If we submit to HIS will for our life, we can walk in fullness and have peace and unity.

I received a complimentary copy and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Docusen has spent twenty   years investing in communities as a pastor, speaker, teacher, advocate, and author. After pastoring in the local church for twenty years, David and his wife, Dara, launched Docusen Ministries. Through this organization, David invests into churches, nonprofits, and businesses across the world through speaking, teaching, and writing.

After completing his doctoral degree studying the cyclical patterns of generational poverty, he worked with a group of businesspeople as a founding board member of Freedom Communities—an organization that focuses on equitable access to education, employment, healthcare, and housing.