Are We Bridge Builders or Bridge Bombers?

The movie Saving Private Ryan is set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II. The story follows a group of soldiers searching for a companion who is missing in action. The journey leads the group to discover the soldier is defending a strategic bridge. The mission of the enemy is to blow up the bridge.

Destruction of bridges is a strategy in warfare.
It cripples transportation and communication.
It isolates and dis-unifies.

None of us actively engage in strategic bridge destruction.

But in our teams and ministries, we need to ask a key question.

Are we bridge builders or bridge bombers?

The body of Christ is skilled in dividing ourselves.

Theologically
Culturally
Politically

We blow up bridges over the gray areas of life Scripture does not specifically speak to.
We create islands of isolation with those who think differently.
We seek unity through political party membership more than Christ’s commands.

In Philippians 4:2-3, Paul publically calls out Euodia and Syntche on their issues of disunity.

“I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

While these women do not make the list of popular child names, they teach us an important lesson.

These ladies were on the same team, both laboring as gospel workers. Yet their issues were a threat to the good which needed accomplishing in the Philippian church.

Paul did not say “Agree to disagree” or “Sweep it under the carpet.”

He publicly stated what the whole church likely already knew. These ladies did not get along.

Are we as committed to building bridges as Paul was? Even if it means calling disunity out?

Unity does not stem from group think. Unity is not having all the people think similarly on an issue.

Unity comes through conflict.

Building bridges occurs on the foundation of understanding and through the resolution of conflict.

So, in a season of both political and theological division…

Let me ask…

Are you a bridge builder or a bridge bomber?