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

[StillStanding]

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.

[Barb]

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...

[Arphaxad]

I make bridges with walls.



ARPH

[The Mrs]

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.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by The Mrs

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...

[Hoovie]

Is there a way i can vote for other people?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Is there a way i can vote for other people?

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

[Nahum]

Just call me Nehemiah.

[StillStanding]

*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.

[Scott Hutchinson]

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