Are You a Wall Builder or Bridge Builder??????
 

Wall Builder - A person who tries to protect them self from outside influences that they don't agree with. This person will abort associations or friendships to keep themselves "pure". This person puts a high value on separation and purity.

Bridge Builder - A person who holds to friendships and associations even when they may disagree on certain issues. This person will keep friends even when their belief system is totally different than their own. This person puts a high value on friendships.

Which are you more like? I understand that there is a little of both in most.

This is a good thread, PM...

I try to be a bridge builder because I believe this is the right thing to do.

Learning from our differences and working together on those things with which we do agree is what matters most, IMO.

Those of us who think we have it all or know it all are sadly mistaken...once I came off my high-horse of "you can't tell me anything," I discovered how immature and arrogant this thinking was.

It was then that I opened my mind and heart, closed my mouth, and learned...and I am still learning.

I wouldn't trade this new mindset for the world...

I make bridges with walls. :thumbsup



ARPH :doggyrun

Because I've been on both sides of this spectrum, I can say I've been both.

I doubt you will have very many that will admit to being a wall builder. This definition that you have supplied sounds a bit too harsh for anyone to admit to it.


~I used to be a wall builder.

We were always careful about who we fellowshipped with, and for how long. Always protecting ourselves from worldly influences. Our fences and guards were in place.


~Now I am a bridge builder.

I see the value in reaching out and really loving someone no matter what they believe. Especially my family. We had alienated ourselves from all of our family. We realized the value of family a little late, but have since made it a point to make sure that we have monthly get-togethers. It has brought peace and healing to us all. And I can say that I genuinely LOVE my family.


I always told myself I loved others, but looking back in hindsight, I realized I really didn't. I loved myself. It was all about protecting myself from being tainted. My 'love' was superficial at best. Not a genuine bone in my body toward those who I deemed to be ungodly and unsaved. Which was everyone outside of our own church family. We even had a certain degree of protecting ourselves from the neighboring UPC churches.

I can identify with this post...

Is there a way i can vote for other people? :)

If you do you might just end up burning a bridge. :)

Just call me Nehemiah.

*bump*

Everybody fits into one of these two categories, although some have changed their philosophy in their lifetime.

Also realize that these are not absolute, as a bridge builder will find it necessary to build a wall at times. Rarely does a wall builder build a bridge.

I say Bridge Builder because I'm friends with alot of folks whom I disagree with.

I build walls....Then I build bridges so you can get over it....LOL.

I know the importance of being a bridge builder…. And I really try to do my best… but I would be lying if I didn’t admit to having a tendency to build walls because of fear and insecurity… it is insecurity in myself… not God. I wish I was more like others I know that have enough faith in God and themselves so they are bridge-builders… I'm glad God has put people in my life that reassures me... and I work at keeping the walls down.

We've always been bridge builders, no doubt about it, but there are walls that need to be maintained and walls that need to be built too.

There's a time for everything under the sun and that includes wall building. Some things need to be kept out and some things need to be protected.

Good post.

This is interesting that this thread appears today. I was just reading an article that was inspired by something Eisenhower said in 1961 in one of his speeches. He said that the world must beware of becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate. It, instead, must become a confederation of mutual respect and trust. The weakest must come to the conference table with the strongest.

A writer then commented on the speech and compared the thought with Jesus' ways in the first century. He said it was interesting that Eisenhower used the terms "coming to the table". Jesus sat at tables with thieves, prostitutes and publicans. This was a direct message against all the sects and groups of his day that were actually based on division and hatred.

Every group and sect, of the first century, be it religious or political, was based upon division. Their DIFFERENCES were highlighted and made the foundation of each sect. And the differences were exploited -- Jews versus Gentiles -- Palestinian Jews versus Jews of the Diaspora -- Aramaic speakers versus Greek speakers -- Priests vs. scholars -- violent revolutionaries vs. accommodationists. And each sect carved out thier own niche in ideology and depended upon a concept of prophetic doom to fall on the others in order to vindicate their stand.

Jesus attacked this entire divisive method by inviting everyone to his table! This threatened the authority all around Him that was based upon division. He would not accomodate passively, nor choose violent opposition. His Kingdom was not of this world and never will be. Instead of emphasizing the differences, He proposed a truth and appealed to all people of every other sect and category to understand it, inviting them ALL!

Amongst denominations today, we see the trend of emphasizing the differences to the point of heaven or hell rewards. Instead of proposing truths, religious groups attack each others' beliefs and claim their own belief is was saves a person while they throw mud on the other beliefs.

So instead of basing a new group on emphasizing the differences and contrasting what WE believe while we explicitly throw down what THEY believe, thereby making a new wall in the world, why not preach TRUTH without mudslinging???? Why not share truth without contrasting it with so-and-so's group "who preaches this other thing"????

Why not build bridges instead of walls?

Walls need to be held onto for SOME reasons, as Felicity said, though.

This is excellent Bro. Blume!!! :thumbsup

Makes one wonder about the whole idea of separation.

Right! True Separation might be about not building walls instead of bridges! lol The WORLD builds political groups based upon divisions. Jesus came to bring a sword, but His separation was against the world's ways of walls.

I didn't vote in the poll but I am definitely a wall builder! I won't have anything to do with those misguided legalists like Elder Groce, Steve Epely, Phil Jones, Bishop1, etc,etc.

:pirate:pirate:pirate

:scoregood

This is powerful, I have thought often of the analogies of secular politics and the church. I definitely agree that there is a need for walls in some aspects, and at some times in our lives, but I believe that to be a true Christian you have to be, to some degree a bridge builder.

Aren't both needful?

Both walls and bridges can be means of protection!

While I hear you, we must remember that separation is a Biblical principle. :) Now if you can navigate that wall some would say I just built, I have a bridge and some ocean front property I want to sell you in Arizona. :D

THANK YOU for putting me in such exclusive company.. What great men.. to be named among them is indeed an honor!:pirate:scoregood

I actually preached about this subject on Friday night.. and I used the well worn Reaganism " Mr. Gorbachev, this wall must come down!" Not sure about any one else but I needed to hear it!

I believe the 'separation' as mentioned in the bible means separation from the WORLD, not other parts of the body of Christ! :)

Shhhh!!! Don't tell anybody we ever met. I have a "walls" image to keep up!

No argument from me on this statement... I was just responding with a gentle reminder not to questions separation too much as it is indeed a Biblical principal.:pirate:pirate

How about RevDWW's comment about the importance of both? It almost sounds like he needs spiritual angioplasty since we are talking about the body... any walls that separate the body must be arterial blockage and a matter of the heart!:)

Hey everyone.. I just want to testify that while I was fellowshipping the men on the outside of CC1's wall at AMC, I attempted to build a bridge for CC1 to cross over... he chose not to cross but i did try to build the bridge...


He said his not crossing had something to do with his tank tops and short shorts.:pirate:pirate

That last sentance brought up a mental image that is going to be hard to shake. I may stay awake for hours tonight!

I am mostly a bridge builder! When Jesus was on this earth, if he wasn't a bridge builder, where would we all be? Nobody was to His standard!