1. The nature and mission of God -- 2. The purpose of the church -- 3. A basis for relationship with your neighbors, listening -- 4. Local demographics: what is God doing (and trying to do)? -- 5. We're all in this together: relationships already exist -- 6. Modeling vulnerability in relationship -- 7. Putting it all together: joining God's activity in your neighborhood.

The purpose of this book is to provide a theologically sound yet easy-to-use resource, based on the image of God, that can help congregations engage relationally in their neighborhoods. Rather than using the neighborhood as a resource to help make congregations successful, The Neighborhood Church contends that God places congregations in neighborhoods to help make neighborhoods successful in accordance with God's vision. This book is intended as a resource for pastors and other church leaders who pour significant amounts of energy into their congregations but feel frustrated with the results. The problem isn't with church leaders' energy or commitment. On the contrary, it's a lack of awareness as to how that energy and commitment can be channeled within God's call, mission, and movement. This book is a crucial resource for congregations having difficulty navigating the treacherous waters of what it means to be successful according to God's vision.