Bridge to Nowhere

“The graceful arches of the New Choluteca Bridge stand abandoned, a white concrete sculpture far from shore, linking nothing to nowhere.” USA Today

In November 1998, Hurricane Mitch ravaged the Honduras. 5,600 people died. 12,300 were injured and 8,600 disappeared. In addition to the loss of human life, 150 bridges were damaged or destroyed. The most modern of all the bridges, The Choluteca Bridge survived intact but suffered perhaps the greatest indignity, the river moved right out from under it leaving its builders wondering what to do next.

“The Choluteca bridge itself is perfect - except that it now straddles dry land.  Mitch changed the course of the Choluteca River, and there is water where the access roads used to be … Now, there is no solution - it is very difficult to change the current.  [The river] is in a totally different place.”USA Today

Vince Muci, a gifted photographer, flew over the area just days after hurricane Mitch wrought its devastation.  Muci’s photograph expresses not only the story of a bridge, a river and a country but also provides a powerful metaphor for all things modern, triumphalistic and self assured, including from our perspective - a church suddenly facing unanticipated change.

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What happens when you "build it and they don’t come"?
What do you do when the culture shifts right in front of you?
Does the mission really matter more than methods?
Is the church in the bridge building or people reaching business?
The “No bridge? No problem! (syndrome)” - turning the bridge into a museum

“The first time I saw this striking photo, I felt it told a story - many stories really - full of meaning and impact. I’m glad that it will be made more available; believing as I do that learning is not the consequence of teaching but of thinking. This photo makes people think!”

Brian McLaren, author, pastor and emergent founder

The Bridge to Nowhere Teaching Series

Here are three titles you could use in a three part teaching series on the Bridge to Nowhere.

Use this image to validate their experiences that “things have changed” in the culture we are part of. Use it to explain why we need to open our minds up to new ways of thinking.  Use it to challenge people to decide what their mission really is, bridge building or people reaching.

Images move people - they sneak up on us like a song and get stuck in our head. Use this image to get your point across and create “stickiness” for your message. They may forget your words - they won’t forget the image.

Part I:  Who Moved My River? (The Problem:  Traditional evangelism is not “working”)
Part II:  Bridge Misses River - Now What? (The Paradigm:  The need for new approaches)
Part III:  Bridge Building 101 (The Practices:  If the river moves, we move)