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BY Christine Kumar
UMConnection Staff

Can authentic, intimate relationships be the bridge that connects people and makes disciples?

The Rev. Jim Walker who pastors Hot Metal Bridge faith community in inner city Pittsburgh thinks so. He led the Bible study at annual conference on May 25.

'The new wineskin is found in authentic, intimate relationships to pull people out of those places of superficiality,' said Walker, whose congregation has worshiped in a Goodwill building cafeteria for the past five years.

This former United Methodist youth director believes that true evangelism happens when authentic relationships cross inter-generational and cultural barriers, and churches are willing to step down to 'street level' to minister to people.

Why can?t church be a mission trip?' he asked. In order to be a missional church, Walker believes that people must be in koinonia with one another. 'I know my church members are tired of hearing me say this word,' he joked. 'But, it is important to be in community with one another.'

'Making disciples is a buzz word,' he said. 'Disciples will be made when they see and experience koinonia.'

According to Walker, people experience 'hell' when lives are superficial, alienated from each other and God, and selfishness takes center stage.

He explained that people on the street and even people in our pews are going through hell.

'What do we do?' he asked. He firmly believes Missio Dei (or God?s mission) is the answer. He suggested churches take their pews out in the streets and minister to those who are hurting, oppressed, and need true authentic love and compassion.

Each Sunday, Hot Metal Bridge?s worship service begins with a drama and visual arts to target young adults.

Bible study stretches to tattoo parlors, coffee shops, restaurants and other places where many dare not go to talk about God.

According to Walker, churches today fall into a store mentality with a market plan, offering spiritual fixes. He suggested that instead, today?s post modern churches be a bridge that helps people get from one place to another so that their lives will be transformed by the Holy Spirit.

He urged the clergy and laity to take authentic ministries to prisons, homeless shelters, bars and inner cities, where people are hungry and thirsty for salvation. According to Walker, Missio Dei will be experienced by listening and caring for one another, sharing Scripture, sacraments, prayers and meals together. 'These things become doorways to the kingdom of God,' he said.

Authentic ministry will be lost if church people think they are better than everyone else, said Walker. He urged God?s people to stop thinking that they are the 'good ones' and the 'bad ones' on the street are the only ones who need to be saved.

Walker, whose mission team is made of punk rock singers, also encouraged everyone to connect with each other regardless of first impressions. 'We need to stop making snap judgments on people,' he said. 'We live in fear and fear disconnects us from each other.'

'Drop titles, we are all in priesthood together,' he said. 'Lay down images of fame and fortune; in order to understand the poor, you might have to be poor, you might have to suffer to understand the suffering.'

During his childhood, Walker was immersed in diversity as he lived around the world because his father was in the army. 'I think that?s why I am able to understand and accept people who are very different from me,' he said.

Among the many ministries of Hot Metal Bridge is a Bible fight club, which is a Bible study for those who do not know about Jesus Christ. One of the club?s rules is that everyone must disagree with one another and not sit in silence and nod in agreement.

'We?re in a new ocean,' he said. 'And in a new ship, we need to find ways to pull people out of the water.'

Walker received a standing ovation at the conclusion of the Bible study and met with many clergy and laity afterwards.

'The Bible study gives us permission to worship creatively, said the Rev. Priscilla Boswell, pastor of Asbury UMC in Brandywine. 'If we can take things out of our emotional boxes, we can do more for Christ.'

The following day, the Rev. Kevin Smalls, Discipler Gbwc_superusere of the Baltimore-Washington Conference and the young adults led a Bible study that urged pastors and laity not to forget the young adult community and to let their voices be heard.