Embracing Our Calling: The Neighborhood Church

Names carry deep meaning, shaping our identity and purpose both as individuals and as a community. Throughout Scripture, God often changed names to mark a new calling or mission—Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Saul to Paul—each transformation signifying a deeper alignment with God’s vision. Today, we stand at a similar threshold, not simply rebranding or changing a name, but reaffirming the calling God has always placed on us. The proposed name, “The Neighborhood Church,” is not about abandoning our heritage as Nazarenes; rather, it is about celebrating and deepening it, anchoring ourselves more intentionally in the soil of our community.

Jesus himself modeled this incarnational presence. As John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Jesus moved into the neighborhood—he entered our mess, sat at our tables, and walked our streets. Our calling is to reflect that same embodied presence, not as a church behind walls, but as a people who cross streets, love deeply, and serve sacrificially. This is not about trendiness, but about living out the heart of our Nazarene and Wesleyan tradition, which has always emphasized both personal transformation and social engagement.

The greatest commandments, as Jesus taught in Mark 12, are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is not a metaphor, but a mission. The early church lived this out in radical ways, as described in Acts 2:42-47, sharing life, resources, and faith so authentically that God added to their number daily. Our mission is to embody this same spirit—not just meeting in a neighborhood, but existing for the neighborhood.

To live out this calling, we embrace five daily rhythms: creating welcome, radiating joy, going deep (not just wide), living open-handed, and activating purpose. These practices are not just strategies, but expressions of our identity in Christ and our Nazarene heritage. Ultimately, our true identity is found in Jesus Christ—crucified, risen, and present with us. As we gather at the Lord’s table, we remember that names may change, but our foundation remains the same. Let us be a church where names change because lives are being changed—connecting lives, deepening faith, and transforming neighborhoods for the glory of God.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Names in Scripture often mark a shift in calling and identity, reminding us that God is always inviting us into deeper purpose. Our own name change is not about abandoning our past, but about reaffirming and celebrating the calling God has placed on us as a church rooted in our community. [02:24]
• 2. The incarnation of Jesus—God moving into the neighborhood—calls us to a faith that is present, embodied, and engaged. We are not meant to be a church behind walls, but a people who cross streets, enter into the messiness of life, and love as Jesus loved. This is the heart of holiness: not isolation, but incarnation. [05:28]
• 3. Loving our neighbor is not a metaphor or a slogan, but the very heartbeat of discipleship. The early church grew explosively because their love was visible, practical, and sacrificial. Our mission is to love God passionately and love others actively, embodying holiness in action rather than just in words. [08:29]
• 4. The Acts 2 blueprint shows that authentic community, shared life, and generosity are at the core of the church’s witness. When we devote ourselves to God’s word, to fellowship, and to meeting real needs, we become a church that exists not just in a neighborhood, but for the neighborhood—transforming lives day by day. [10:57]
• 5. Living out our calling requires intentional daily rhythms: creating welcome, radiating joy, going deep in relationships and faith, living open-handedly, and activating purpose in others. These practices are not just strategies, but the outworking of our identity in Christ, empowering us to be a sending, serving, and transforming presence in our world. [15:33]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:06] - The Meaning and Power of Names
• [02:24] - Name Changes in Scripture and Our Calling
• [03:28] - Reaffirming Our Heritage and Mission
• [05:00] - Jesus Moves Into the Neighborhood
• [06:22] - Incarnation Over Isolation
• [07:46] - The Greatest Commandments: Love God, Love Neighbor
• [09:19] - Why Our Name Matters: Clarity and Mission
• [10:29] - The Acts 2 Blueprint for Church Life
• [12:25] - The Church’s Transforming Mission
• [13:55] - Living for the Neighborhood
• [15:20] - Introducing the Neighborhood Way
• [16:52] - Five Daily Rhythms: Creating Welcome
• [17:37] - Radiating Joy
• [18:35] - Going Deep, Not Just Wide
• [20:08] - Living Open-Handed
• [21:01] - Activating Purpose
• [22:22] - A Hopeful Moment: Mission Alignment
• [25:00] - Communion: Our True Identity in Christ
• [28:13] - Closing and Invitation to Worship

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “What’s in a Name? Living as The Neighborhood Church”

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Bible Reading

John 1:14 (ESV)
> And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Mark 12:30-31 (ESV)
> And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
> And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

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Observation Questions

1. In John 1:14, what does it mean that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”? How did the sermon describe Jesus “moving into the neighborhood”? ([05:00])
2. According to Mark 12:30-31, what two commandments does Jesus say are the greatest? How does the sermon connect these commandments to our church’s mission? ([08:15])
3. In Acts 2:42-47, what were some specific ways the early church lived out their faith together? What stood out to you from the description in the sermon? ([10:57])
4. The sermon mentioned several people in the Bible whose names were changed (Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Saul to Paul). What did these name changes represent? ([02:24])

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Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that Jesus didn’t just send blessings from afar, but “stepped into our lives” and “got into our messes.” Why is this important for how we understand our calling as a church? ([05:28])
2. The pastor said, “Loving our neighbor is not a metaphor. It’s a mission.” What does it look like for this to be more than just a slogan in our daily lives? ([09:05])
3. The Acts 2 church was described as having “favor with all people” and sharing everything in common. What might it look like for our church to have that kind of reputation in our neighborhood? ([11:38])
4. The sermon outlined five daily rhythms: creating welcome, radiating joy, going deep, living open-handed, and activating purpose. Why do you think these are important for living out our identity as “The Neighborhood Church”? ([15:33])

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Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about “creating welcome” by eliminating barriers and making it easy for anyone to take their next step toward Jesus. What is one practical way you could help create a more welcoming environment at church or in your own home this week? ([16:52])
2. “Radiating joy” was described as bringing our best to everything and infusing joy into all we do. Think of a recent church event or interaction—how could you have brought more joy or celebration into that moment? ([17:37])
3. The pastor challenged us to “go deep, not just wide” in our relationships and faith. Is there a relationship in your life where you feel called to go deeper? What is one step you could take to move beyond surface-level conversation? ([18:35])
4. “Living open-handed” means taking risks and valuing growth over comfort. Is there an area where you feel God is asking you to step out of your comfort zone? What’s holding you back, and what would it look like to take a risk in faith? ([20:08])
5. The sermon said, “We activate purpose” by empowering others and believing every neighbor has a calling. Who is someone in your life you could encourage or equip to use their gifts for God’s purposes? ([21:01])
6. The pastor reminded us that our true identity is found in Jesus, not just in a church name. Are there ways you’ve been tempted to find your identity in something else? How can you refocus on Jesus as your foundation this week? ([25:35])
7. The early church “existed for the neighborhood.” What is one specific need in your neighborhood or community that you feel God is calling you (or our group) to respond to? ([14:10])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for open eyes to see their neighbors as Jesus does, and for courage to live out these five rhythms in the coming week.