Life Proximity

Proximity is defined by dictionary.com as nearness in place, time, order, occurrence, or relation. Webster calls in “closeness.” And still others define it mathematically as one objects relation to another.

Over the last few months I have been faced with the importance of proximity neighborhood discipleship. Although I knew that Baltimore had a lot of very specific communities I didn’t realize the impact and importance of proximity until I began living it. I guess ultimately the word “proximity” alone doesn’t do justice to what I have learned… Instead I now believe that “life proximity” is an essential part of city church planting.

Life proximity is going through the same line at the grocery store every couple of days and getting to know your regular checker. It’s having a cup of coffee every morning in the same local shop and running into the same crowd of people. It’s meeting other parents regulary at the local “walk to” play ground. It’s stopping in for appetizers in the same little pub around the corner every friday night. It’s walking with our kids to the same pharmacy and talking to the same clerks. It’s joining the neighborhood pool, supporting the neighborhood deli, and jogging the same path morning after morning. Life Proximity is not just living close to where you want to plant a church, it is living within and taking part in the community you want to reach. It’s not about creating a new community, its about finding a community and engaging with it.

Life proxoimity in itself is nothing special, it doesn’t make disciples, and it doesn’t plant a church.  All it does is recognize the importance of being on mission in our everyday relationships and local.  It is a means to and end and the ultimate way to enjoy life and develop lasting relationships. more on this later…