Building bridges into your community 

How do we build bridges and at the same time defend the faith? No denomination can claim that it has not relaxed or even in some cases changed the way the traditional scriptural beliefs apply to their church doctrine or tenets. 

We know that bridges make it easier for us to go to different places and in real time make it easier for people to come to us. Building bridges between church and communities is integral to church growth. I’d like to expand that a bit. Building bridges is important and necessary in order to fulfill our Christian calling.

The Great Commission (Matthew 28New International Version (NIV))
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

It is a very simple, straightforward charge that leaves no doubt as to our focus and task. The problem comes as we decide how best to do this and how long we will get it done. We usually become entangled with various programs and many of you will disagree, the cosmetics of it all, being more concerned with the appearance than the substance. 

BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

1. Welcome whoever walks through your door.

A good place to start in cultivating the congregation’s commitment to reach out to the community is by loving the people in the community who come to you.

2. Network in the community.
Networking is the exchange of information, ideas and resources. The goal of networking is to build relationships as you gather information, scout out potential allies, and let others know about your church.

3. Cultivate a sense of belonging to the community.
“Your people shall be my people,” said Ruth to Naomi (Ruth 1:16). In the same way, help the congregation to think about residents of the community as “our people.” Find ways of identifying with the struggles of those in the community. (Heb. 13:3)

4. Incorporate a commitment to outreach mission into church life.
How much does a concern for community outreach enter into the life of our church? Consider ways to enfold a loving awareness of the community of ministry into “ordinary” aspects of church life. The church should be a refuge for members from the bruising realities of the world, but not a fortress where people go to shut out the world.

5. Interweave the interests of church and community.
Help to develop the habit of talking about inward ministries and outreach ministries in the same breath as all part of the church’s mission.

6. Take the church out into the community.
A congregation cannot hope to build loving relationships with the community, particularly those who are most needy and vulnerable, by “sitting in the four walls of the church.” Develop the attitude that everywhere we go we are the church.

The more your congregation enters your community's life, the more the life-giving Spirit can flow through you to your neighbours.