Challenge #5: Call a Neighbor

New here? You have stumbled onto Challenge #5 of my neighborhood outreach challenge. We are reclaiming our streets, one prayer (and one phone call) at a time. You can get the full 10-challenge framework in my new book, How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird, but today, let’s dial in.

The Challenge: Make the Call

From the Book:

Identify a neighbor who lives alone and give them a call. Today, one in four households consists of a person living by themselves. Whether it’s an elderly widower, a single executive, or a student, loneliness is a rising “pandemic” on every block. Pick up the phone—don’t just send a text—and spend five minutes checking in. If you don’t have their number yet, use the tools from Challenge #3 to find it, or use this as an opportunity to stop by safely and ask for it so you can check on them in the future.

Go Deeper: Why We Must Call

The book mentions that loneliness is a pandemic, but the stats on the blog paint an even clearer picture.

“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”

In 1949, when Hank Williams Sr. wrote that song, less than 10% of homes had just one person. Today, that number has skyrocketed.

• The Reality: Lonely people are more likely to experience depression, heart conditions, and even a shorter life expectancy.

• The Cure: You hold it in your hand. A simple phone call breaks the cycle of isolation.

5 Conversation Starters

If “calling just to chat” feels foreign to you, try one of these openers – or here are even more:

The Rules: No Weirdness!

From the Book:

Calling doesn’t have to be a long, deep counseling session. It’s just a five-minute hello.

If you’re nervous about what to say, keep it focused on the weather, a recent neighborhood event, or a simple offer to pick something up from the store. You aren’t being intrusive; you’re being intentional.

If they seem busy, just let them know you were thinking of them and wish them a great day.

God’s Way

From the Book:

Jesus’s command to love our neighbor is the ultimate cure for loneliness. By reaching out to just one person, you are participating in a movement that can end isolation in your community.

Loneliness isn’t just a feeling; it has physical consequences like increased stress and shorter life expectancy. When you call, you are offering a “cup of hope” and reflecting God’s heart for the solitary (Psalm 68:6). You are showing them that they are seen and valued by their Creator.

The Words: What to Say

Use this simple script from the book to break the ice:

“Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] from across the street. I haven’t seen you in a few days and just wanted to call and say hello! How have you been doing with all this [hot/cold/rainy] weather lately?”

Ready for Challenge #6?

You’ve got the name—now what do you do with it?

You’ve made the call—now let’s get out and have some fun.

In the 10th Anniversary Edition of How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird, I walk you through 10 specific challenges to move from “stranger” to “neighbor,” including how to turn “play” into a ministry and how to connect with the kids on your block.

Here are more simple conversation starters –

Instead of vague questions, Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly in Chicago recommends you ask specific questions during extremely cold weather:

• “Is your heat working?”
• “Are you warm enough?”
• “Do you have enough food to get through the next few days?”
• “Are you dressing in layers?

FAQ