Bridges

Bridges for Congregations

A Path Towards Curiosity and Community

Cultivating Curiosity and Building Community

Your path towards cultivating curiosity and deepening relationships across generations within the community transforms your congregation’s impact.

I will teach you hidden lessons from our past – stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We’re not keeping this to ourselves; we’re passing it along to the next generation. - Psalm 78:3-4

Why should our congregation seek to cultivate curiosity?

Curiosity is a strong desire to know or learn something. To meet needs, we must be curious about what they are. Curiosity helps us build relationships and to love one another. Cultivating curiosity is not easy because we are invited to wait for Jesus to step in and fill the gap like only he can and ask good questions. May we be curious and full of wonder as we ask, “What is God doing in our midst and how do we join in that?”

How can our congregation receive help to cultivate curiosity and build community across generations?

In Bridges, you’ll explore tools that strengthen connection within your church and with your neighbors, while identifying spiritual practices that embody love for God and others. With a focus on intergenerational ministry, Bridges brings faith to life as children, youth, adults, and elders share learning, worship, and service together—revealing the fullness of the Body of Christ. Together, we extend these practices beyond church walls, building natural bridges into our neighborhoods that foster spiritual growth, communal well-being, and meaningful engagement with the world around us.

Your congregation will be doing this work as a team, guided by the pastor. This Pathway requires attendance at in person and virtual gatherings. A Pathways coach will support your congregation’s leadership through a 12-month cohort. Join us as we build bridges for lasting change. Start your journey today! A Pathways Bridges team member will be in touch with you shortly. Address all questions to Alyssa Ruch aruch@epagnj.org, Director of Pathways Bridges or Ashley Wilson awilson@epagnj.org, Program Coordinator of Pathways Bridges.