Something Different

Very early in the planning stages of starting thebridge a topic of conversation kept coming up. The importance of how we welcome people was something everyone had strong opinions on. The consensus was that we didn’t want to be a church that just shook a hand or worse didn’t greet anyone at all. We didn’t want to only talk to the people we knew nor did we want to single out the people we didn’t know. We were searching for a way to welcome people just as they are as intentionally and authentically as possible. Teams eventually formed and although we have had many participate two people rose to the top of our greeting team, Ed and Mary. If you have ever been to thebridge the odds of you being greeted by Ed and Mary are very high! Their smiles are genuine and their concern for each and every person is real. They will be the first to tell you that it isn’t just them. They would throw out the names of Mike, Melanie, Chris, Micah, Steve, Bryan, and a host of others who joyously partner with them at the front doors in making our welcoming as amazing as it is.

Ed and Mary are often aware of far more than I am and they do a great job of not only updating me on different prayer requests but visiting people in the hospital and making follow up phone calls. They are generous with their time and treasures and we are so blessed to have them at thebridge.

In January they joined five others in partnering with thebridge and becoming Spiritual Leaders. The role of the Spiritual Leader is to come along side the staff and the church in an elder like role. Some Spiritual Leaders will have up front roles and others will have behind the scenes rolls. Some will partner in prayer and blessing while others will partner in serving and organizing. As we continue to grow the need for Spiritual Leaders will grow as well and we look forward to seeing how God will use them.