How to Have a Neighborhood BBQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Many neighbors enjoy connecting around BBQs, especially when the weather turns warmer.
Whether you are throwing a party with your Community Group or simply gathering
neighbors as a family activity, there are a few things you may want to consider in advance.
Here are answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about how to organize a
BBQ for your neighborhood.
Where do we start?
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The easiest place to start is by picking a date and time for your BBQ. If doing it with your
Community Group, plan it so that as many of your members will be able to attend and help out.
If you’re doing it as a family, look for at least one other neighboring family to join you to share
the load.
Pick a day and time that is usually good for BBQ. For example, Saturday afternoon at 4pm works
better than 11pm Tuesday night. Knowing your neighbors and the way they connect helps make
these decisions.
Once you’ve picked your time, decide if you want to have a particular theme. You may want to
go simple like a “Baseball” theme and serve hot dogs. You might also choose something more
seasonal like grilled rabbit for Easter. One group invited neighbors to sample “Grilled Chicken
with strange and exotic sauces.”
Is it scary?
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YES. There are a lot of unknowns, especially if you’ve never done one in your neighborhood
before.
Just remember that most neighbors want to meet each other and the ones who come will be in
that camp. The ones who don’t come aren’t a factor. Most people will be very appreciative of
the work you do to bring them together.
Neighbors often have varying reasons for wanting to meet. Some are very social. Some are new
to the neighborhood. Some like to show off their cooking skills. Others like to catch up with
friends.
What needs to be on our Shopping List?
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Service Items include: Plates, Napkins, Utensils, Cups, Ice and decorations.
Food items include: Drink Mix, Extra bags of burgers or hot dogs, case of water
Tools: BBQ, Propane, Charcoal, Lights?
Where do you hold the BBQ?
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Most neighbors feel more welcomed at someone’s home OR at a nearby neighborhood park or
homeowner association venue. Walking distance is a good guide for the kind of proximity to
shoot for. Closer is better.
Backyards are often more set up for BBQs, but consider holding your activity in the front yards
and driveways of several homes. If safety permits, you may look into sectioning off a portion of
your street to handle the overflow.
What about weather considerations?
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Bright sunny days are always the best, but if you get something different look for ways to turn
the rainy or cold weather into an opportunity.
On a cold day, one group turned their BBQ into a bonfire and roasted hot dogs instead.
On a rainy day, some neighbors broke out their pop-up shelters and created a funky tent city out
on their front lawns.
How do you handle invitations?
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Its best to make these invitations as
personal as possible. Remember, even if
your neighbors don’t come, you’ve built a
relationship with them simply by extending
an invitation by stopping by their house or
calling them on the phone.
Flyers are an acceptable way to get the
word out. (You don’t need to send
engraved invitations.) If you drop them off
at their house, be sure to see if someone is
home so you can introduce yourself and
encourage them to come.
When inviting a neighbor in-person say
something like, “Some neighbors wanted
to have a get together, so we picked this
Saturday to have a BBQ. We hope you can
come.”
Most people want to know if they can bring
something. If they ask, be prepared to
suggest a menu item that needs to be
covered or something specific like
“mustard” or “Salad” .
…Sample Flyer…
How do you know what # to plan for?
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If this is your first BBQ it will be difficult to predict. On a good weekend date when people are in
town, you could see a third of your neighbors respond to invitations.
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Logistically it’s helpful to have a couple extra bags of hot dogs to break out of the fridge, if
needed. The same is true for drink mixes like Kool-Aid or Ice Tea which can be prepared as
needed.
If you include a “bring a side dish and beverage” as part of your invitation, food is usually not an
issue.
You can also ask neighbors to bring folding chairs on the invitation if seating is a factor.
How much help do you ask for?
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Always include neighbors who want to help in the process, especially if they are not part of your
Community Group or family. Many people feel like they belong when the can participate.
Ask people to help flip burgers, serve drinks, set up chairs, get food for an elderly neighbor, start
up a game or anything else you can think of.
Clean-up time is a great way for everyone to pitch in before they leave.
What kind of “assigned” jobs should we have?
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It’s helpful to have the CG cover a few of the more mundane tasks that help everyone feel
welcomed and on board with the event.
Be sure to have a designated trash collector in case receptacles fill up fast.
Assign several people to welcome neighbors as they arrive and hand out name tags if you use
them.
If you meet at a home, think of ways to free up the hosts so that they are available to greet and
mingle.
What kind of jobs and activities should we plan for?
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Jobs: Invitations, Shopping, Set-up, Trash Pick-up and Clean-up come to mind.
Activities: Greeting, Conversation Starters, Games, Music and Child Supervision are some
suggestions.
Note: Don’t over organize the BBQ. The main thing is the gathering. Keep it simple and let the
connecting carry the day.
Who Cooks?
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Usually there’s an avid BBQer nearby or part of the Community Group. If not, recruit someone
from among your neighbors, even as the food is grilling. Sometimes the person you need
doesn’t show up until the need is obvious!
Most BBQs work well if they incorporate a Potluck for the side dishes. Everyone brings
something. There’s usually more than enough.
What about Safety considerations?
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Parents should be instructed of any safety issues that they may need to be aware of for children
as soon as they arrive.
If possible remove anything or even animals that may be a threat.
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If you use “street cones”, keep in mind that they do not remove liabilities for unsafe activities in
those locations.
Are there any legal matters to consider?
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Hopefully nothing happens. It would be extremely rare, but if it does homeowner insurance
usually takes care of those issues.
BBQs and block parties are usually a neighborhood activity welcomed by cities, anticipated by
the police and wholesome activities that monitor themselves.
When do you make a Gospel Presentation?
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Neighborhood BBQs are not usually the venue for giving a short sermon, or even church related
announcements.
Loving neighbors as yourself is a powerful proclamation of the Gospel that can even be heard
over the sputter of grilling meat.
Have fun and let your relationships prepare the way for future conversations.
Plan to follow up with neighbors who express an interest in getting to know you more, or ones
that you feel prompted to spend more time with.
What about prayer before a meal?
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In some settings, this is very appropriate. Let the Spirit guide your decision.
Whatever you do, make your prayer in simple everyday language. Keep it short.
How do you avoid the “Freak Factor”?
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BBQs get freaky when we invite people to enjoy a social gathering and then blast them with
something different. Expectations are everything. If you invite neighbors for a casual BBQ, keep
it casual. If you invite them to a scholarly account of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ,
then by all means be scholarly.
Keep the mix of CG and/or church folks below 50%. Invite double the number of
unchurched/pre-Christian neighbors than you have in your group.
Practice non-churchy language, references, etc to a minimum even during your exclusively CG
gatherings. Help each other identify when “insider” language is beginning to dominate.
Relax God is in control. He wants to reach your friends more desperately than you do. God
draws people to himself and opens doors for sharing the Gospel. He is the master at turning
conversations to himself. We only need to cooperate with the Spirit as He leads.
Remember… we are preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus said, “The Kingdom is near.”
When we are engaged in Kingdom work people experience the King, which stirs their curiosity
even more.
We hope this list of questions and answers helps get you started on the adventure of
discovering where Jesus is at work in your neighborhood. If you have further questions
contact Neil Tibbott by email at Groups@neiltibbott.com. We also have resources for
printing flyers and gladly receive your Grilling recipes. Keep the grill hot and shine some
light.