Saturday, November 04, 2006
Bridge Building
I read something this morning in the biography of Hudson Taylor in God's work in China, Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret. It reminded me of the vital ingredients that modern day fellowships need to recapture. The following account describes a sense of what the ministry was like:- "But there was something unmistakable, almost tangible about their spirit of service and love for the people [in that place]. It drew more and more people to the Bridge Street fellowship. Those who came brought others who also sensed the difference in that place-- a difference one new visitor recognized when he asked the friend who had brought him, 'Why does my heart feel so much wider when I come inside those doors?'
Perhaps it was because the Taylors' own hearts were as wide open doors as the doors of their mission to the people around them. For their ministry grew, and the promise of an even greater ministry grew with it."
In this account, Hudson Taylor's work was associated with Bridge Street fellowship. I found the name of this fellowship telling - Bridge Street, which brings to mind metaphors of building, reaching out and closing chasms. This picture is apt in a fellowship group that is focused on Christ, isn't it? It also reminds me how fruit does not come without sacrifice and cost. Bridges are often dangerous things to build. It takes effort, discipline and political will-- and more often than not, are built over risky terrains - be it over torrent rivers, deep ravines, or unrelenting flows of traffic. The building blocks and ingredients used need to be pure and not compromised.
In this metaphor of building bridges in a context for Jesus Christ, the foundations need to be present - individual and corporate hunger for more of God in Word and spirit; an increase in the stubborn obedience to follow Christ without compromise, and the solemn determination to manifest the reality of God's word to us through our many tribulations and failings.
"Why does my heart feel so much wider when I come inside those doors?"
Isn't that the essence of what Christ calls us towards in building communities? If every person who comes in contact with our fellowship has that sense, especially strangers, that would be incredible.
We need to get on our knees more to ask for more revelation, not merely on an individual level, but that the group could receive the "community-centered will" to be able to make strangers hearts feel "so much wider" when they walk through our doors. Our fellowships are not exclusive, paid-for membership clubs.
If we as a Christ-centered community are travelling together, but yet are not 'turning strangers into friends', then we have lost our way. If we have forgotten that Jesus was not only inclusive, but also went out of his way to embrace the lost, downtrodden and alienated, then we have forgotten who are are in Christ, and why we are here. In biblical language, we have 'lost our salt'. As usual, it's not our church/fellowship policy or creed that is the problem, it's our hearts. It's not "someone else's responsibility", it's mine.
Bridge building. We need to rediscover God's heart for strangers and outsiders. It often starts with this person called me.
Labels: Christian Living, Church Life, Relationships
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