Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself

We know that the “greatest commandment” in the Bible is to love your neighbor as yourself and to love God. But what does “loving your neighbor” really mean?

Join us on October 24 at Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. to delve deep into the meaning of this question.

This workshop, Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself, is based on ideas in a new book by the same title and authored by Ruby Payne and Vern Reed. With a focus on helping those who are under-resourced, workshop participants will examine what the Bible says about “orphans and widows,” why relationships are a requirement for loving one’s neighbor, the importance of mental models and hidden rules, and how to apply at church what they learn in the workshop.

Workshop participants will learn more about the causes and effects of poverty and help participants move beyond charity as a transaction toward understanding the hidden rules, mental models, and relational requirements that make ministry to those who are under-resourced actually life-giving for all involved. Rooting this work in the scriptural tradition of care for “orphans and widows,” it speaks a language our churches already know and extends it into practical, applicable skill. This training equips us not merely to feel the call to love their neighbors, but to answer it wisely and well.

Mr. Vern Reed, co-author of the book, Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself: Called, Equipped, Sent will be our presenter.

Itinerary

Welcome
8 a.m. – Registration and Coffee
8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. – Introduction to the Day

Problem with Perception
9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Who Is My Neighbor?

The Key is Accurate Mental Models
9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – The Plank and the Speck

Hidden Rules and Cues
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Break
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Let’s Connect

How a Basic Understanding of the Autonomic Nervous System Impacts Outreach and Building Relationships
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Resources That Make a Difference

It’s About Intentionality
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Lunch
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Fishers of People

No “Real” Relationship—No “Real” Learning
1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Break
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – Using the Learning

Identifying the Where/How/Who/When
2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Potential Next Steps and Close

Registration is $40 which will cover the cost of the book for each participant and assist in covering food costs. You will not need to purchase the book in advance as you will receive the book the day of the event as part of your registration.

Register by October 17. You can learn more about the book and the author here.