Recently our local church, The United Methodist Church of Palm Springs, California, employed Gary Dexter as our first Bridge Builder. A Bridge Builder is a leader focused on a certain demographic or subset of the community, looking for opportunities of partnership and new programming that will build bridges between the church and community residents. The position applies community organizing practices in the quest to re-root a church with local people.
Our first Bridge Builder position is focused on LGBTQ populations and organizations. Already, Gary is collecting great local ministry possibilities, ranging from partnerships with Gay Student Alliances in our area to local community organizations that support LGBTQ thriving. A couple new Soul Circles (Fresh Expressions) will emerge as a result of his work along with a more strategic and comprehensive approach to our ministry with LGBTQ people.
Our next Bridge Builder position (2025) will focus on the needs of seniors in the community. Palm Springs is a retirement destination for thousands of people. Seniors are living longer, and housing is becoming less affordable for them. This next leader will be looking for ways that our church can advocate for seniors, and possibly help develop the relationship between our church and the soon-to-be residents of a seniors affordable housing complex on the backside of our church property.
The term Mixed Economy connotes the continuation of traditional paradigms of church (with Sunday worship) alongside gatherings designed for and with folks who will not typically attend conventional worship services.
Without someone charged to develop the church’s relationships with community populations, outreach may remain an unrealized ideal, just talk.
Does your church need a Bridge Builder or two? What population would you assign them to focus on.
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