When it comes to loving their communities, churches can get a bad rap for saying no until they have to say yes. But three decades as a pastor have made author Stephen Viars reconsider: Their church longs to move into indispensable roles that wrap arms around the entire community. Grab ideas to live in can’t-miss ways in your own zipcode.

It’s, “Go love your neighbor where they are right now. Go find a need and then just see how you can meet that need together, wherever they are.” Then, often, they’re going to ask, “Why do you love me like that?” In fact, we want our neighbors to constantly have reason to ask; “Why did you do that for us?” “Well, because we love you.” — Stephen Viars