by Jimi Calhoun.
I am delighted to introduce the first in a series of bridge-building, theological-cultural reflections by Jimi Calhoun, Pastor of “Bridging Austin,” in Austin, Texas. The title of the church is reflective of Jimi’s work in every sphere of life and across various disciplines as an author, pastor, musician, and ethicist. To find out more about my friend’s inspiring and creative endeavors, check out his website: jimicalhoun.com.
–Paul Louis Metzger, PhD, Director of The Institute for Cultural Engagement: New Wine, New Wineskins
My background is rooted in the black versions of the Baptist and Methodist traditions. One side of my family were ministers in the Progressive National Baptist Convention of Martin Luther King, Jr. fame and American Baptist Churches. My paternal grandfather was a Bishop in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. I was baptized in my parents’ Baptist Church before joining the Rosicrucian Order located a few blocks from my high school. Later, I was ordained through Hope Chapel Foursquare Church. That led to our denomination sending my wife Julaine and me to Belize, Central America, as long-term missionaries. There, I learned the full meaning of the words mission and bridging. When you consider all of this, it becomes clear why bridge-building comes naturally for me.
One lesson I have learned along the way is that mission is comprehensive. It includes social justice, pursuing peace, protecting the environment, and tackling issues like racism head-on, as difficult as that may seem. Secondarily, it often involves facing adversity, rejection, and challenges, just as Jesus and the prophets experienced. This is why it is important to constantly remember that love extends compassion even amid disagreement and disapproval when doing this work. Today, the centrality of God’s love is woven into everything I do and what I allow myself to think about others.
At Bridging Austin, we believe the gospel of Jesus is good news and shouldn’t be delivered in a way that causes people to abandon their cultural histories and ethnic identities; we need to bridge them. For some, even mentioning efforts to bridge cultural divides is dismissed as naive or irrelevant. However, bridging the separation between the differently-abled, economically marginalized, and racially excluded only highlights the need for building bridges of hospitality and belonging. We believe every human being is of equal value, and no one is born superior. It is troubling to us that many Christians allow so much separation to exist between people as though it is simply how things are. This is where the concept of bridges enters the frame. Consider this quote.
“Bridges often need to span great distances, traverse challenging terrains, and withstand varying weather conditions. This complexity demands innovative engineering solutions and design creativity. Engineers utilize advanced computer simulations, 3D modeling, and finite element analysis to optimize bridge design for structural integrity and load-bearing capacity.”[1]
It is faith and theology that gives Bridging Austin its structural integrity. Metaphorically speaking, we utilize a 3D model rooted in theology, spirituality, and ethics. The social bridges we have developed link people from various communities together, ensuring that the marginalized are included and feel loved.
The values that undergird our mission stem from this familiar Bible verse, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.”[2] The word order implies that the creation and sending Jesus to redeem it were actions fueled by love. It follows that we are to go and do likewise. Consequently, we take these words of Jesus literally and seriously: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[3] That is not only something we do at Bridging Austin; it’s who we are.
I look forward to sharing more about our philosophy of ministry and work in future posts.
You may contact Jimi Calhoun at Jimi@Bridgingaustin.org.
[1] https://www.masbuildingandbridge.com/blog/4-difficulties-when-building-bridges.
[2] John 3:16; NRSVUE.
[3] Matt. 27: 39.