aaron norwood

the bridge

tempe, az

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1.  we will ask this of everyone, what is your understanding of a pomo ministry?

I see “postmodern” basically as a worldview without absolutes; for ministry that begins with the lack of absolute Truth (in our case, the Bible, Jesus, etc.). Therefore, in order to relate the person of Christ to our world, our “ministry” requires us to share our lives: our love, our stories, our serving the world, our passion, our emotion, our faults, and our experience coupled with the Truth of scripture. Through selfless giving, loving, and accepting, “ministry” in the postmodern world becomes so much more of a “life” than a programmed event.

2.  what makes the bridge different from the others churches in the area?

The most obvious differences are that we meet in a nightclub, have our primary worship on Sunday night, and have a great, loud worship band. But that’s so surface. The real difference, in my mind, is that we really aren’t trying to be a “cool” church, but to be authentic. (our music, setting, style just happen to be “cool” this year). We want to shape culture from within, not copy it from the outside. We strongly encourage our people to volunteer regularly in existing service organizations, to do simple things like getting to know their neighbors, to pick up trash in our community, to serve, to value conversation, and to share their stories. to follow the person of Jesus and inject the world with love and let people ask “why” we do what we do. I guess my hope is that that is not different at all from other churches.

3.  what are some of the ways the bridge helps build community?

From day one we’ve gone to eat Sunday nights after worship (for the last year, it’s been the Taco Bell across the street). This sounds so simple, but it has been the most effective. From this, groups regularly leave there to go do things, great discussions almost always come up, and most importantly, people act like themselves. It’s been our true community event!

We also have community groups that meet weekly (or small groups, discipleship, etc.), we have church picnics every so often, and we have started a weekly lunch on campus (Arizona State). I think we have a softball team now, too.

4.  how did the bridge develop its "style" of ministry? what was it's driving force?

The driving force of our church is our worship. No doubt about that. Our style of ministry comes from Matthew 22 – love God, love others. Ministry must be the “overflow” of our love for others, the result of being so in love with Jesus that he pours out of us. I guess our “style” would be to encourage people to meet needs in love.

5.  being mission oriented is important to a pomo-gen, how does the bridge see missions and how does it get people hooked in?

Our best example is a trial run we’re in right now. It’s called “catalyst”. We accepted applications, and we currently have 7 people involved. We rented a house, and the catalysts (all from the Bridge) spend the summer serving. They volunteer, they work part-time, they walk the neighborhood weekly, they plan ministry events as a team, etc. it’s a mission journey in the city.

But, we also encourage our people to “go”. I think in addition to the seven above, we sent out about 11 more for summer mission opportunities (through Campus Crusade, International Mission Board, and other organizations). We give them all a notebook, and tell them to bring their stories back to us – we’ll celebrate our missionaries. Hook them in? I think a pomo generation is SEEKING to give energy for a cause (and Jesus is a pretty good cause).

6.  i like the "worship one, love all" idea, can you unpack that for  us?

That’s it, simply.  All of our “worship”, the focus of our lives, the fame that we spread is to be about One. God. He deserves every ounce of worship we have. We aspire to “love all” – this isn’t so popular in many modern churches. I believe that loving people that are morally, socially, physically, and spiritually different is a command, not a neat idea. I guess we figure that if we err, we want it to be on the side of “too much worshiping God” and “loving too much”, if that’s possible.

7.  how do you see small groups fitting into the future of pomo churches?

Let me get back to you on this. In theory, I think they’re essential. In practice, ours struggle. And die. And re-start. And struggle.

It seems they are necessary to foster discipleship and community. My hunch is that in the future small groups will accomplish those 2 things, if they are based upon service (or ministry).  I think the trend in churches will be groups that meet weekly to “adopt-a-highway”, or clean up a forest, or serve lunch in a soup kitchen, or do yard work in the neighborhood. These groups will obviously minister, but in those times, precious discipleship will be taking place by example and conversation, not lecture. And community is a given here.

any closing thoughts?

we are really not very good at the above ideas, concepts, and examples. I don’t want to try to pretend that we are. But, it’s what our leadership is trying to build into the culture of the Bridge.