Bridge Building

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this, not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast ( Eph. 2: 8-9).

     Our new ministry is intended to be inter-denominational.  Why inter-denominational and not non-denominational?

     In my mind, non-denominationalism has become something of a denomination in itself.  Certain things come to mind when someone says I go to a church that is Baptist, Methodist, or Non-Denominational.  Non-denominationalism testifies, I think rightly, of the evils of religious tribalism, but may deny some of the achievements that various denominations have contributed to the Kingdom.

     Inter-denominationalism speaks to the fact that no sect of churches has a monopoly on God's will, and chooses to celebrate the value of each (each that is orthodox, of course, and consistent with the essentials of Scripture).

     Non-D. may be thought of as a "fence" that separates itself from others, while inter-D. can be viewed as a "bridge" that identifies and connects and learns from the traditions of others.  We should study history in light of Scripture and learn to borrow from the best and discard the rest.

     Four recent Texas Aggie graduates are on a quest to ride mustang horses from the Mexican border to Canada in order to shoot a documentary that portrays the plight of the American mustangs.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it is still possible in America to travel 3,000 miles on public land void of fences.

     While fences must be built to separate ourselves from heresy and unbiblical models of doing church, it is imperative that we strive to connect with the very best that we can learn from others, and work together with them to obey God's commands and purposes.  The landscape of church life in America reveals far too many fences and not enough bridges.  May we extend the grace we receive from God toward others, and resist boasting of works as though we were the only one doing them.

     I dream of a congregation of members of various denominations that share a pew and a concern to reach the lost for Christ, and not to win "christians" to their particular denominational or non-denominational tradition.


Praying blessings for you as you seek a Sabbatical rest from striving to convert Christ followers to your brands be it Baptist, Charismatic, Methodist, Catholic, etc. and etc.,

Pastor Tim