Kinship
What do we mean by kinship?
Our “being like Jesus” is measured not by our ability to perform good deeds or help others for our own sake, but our willingness to see people on the margins as our brothers and sisters—to see ourselves in kinship with them. People are not statistics, or causes to champion—they’re image bearers of God; we want to dignify all we encounter as equals and welcome them as family. The relationships that develop as a result are what we mean by kinship.
Kinship is an ethic that requires us to be proximate, consistent, and vulnerable. It’s costly and inconvenient, but draws us into true relationship. Instead of power, we offer presence. Differences are celebrated and dignified. Compassion is not a gesture, but an overflow of the love we’ve received from the Father.
How do we practice kinship?
Kinship type relationships happen as we share life with the people we encounter. We practice being interruptible and intentional for the sake of others, striving for selflessness in actions and honesty in friendships. We don’t reach down or try to fix; we walk alongside, discovering that the line between “us” and “them” is only an illusion.
Service: Loving others by meeting their practical needs, even when there is no benefit to you
Witness: Proclaiming Jesus as King, by bearing the “fruit of the Spirit” in both word and action
Who do we serve?
Every one of us was once far from God, and Jesus met us in our need. We commit to following Jesus’ example of genuinely serving others and treating the stranger as family, or kin. We serve out of shared weakness, not power or pride, walking humbly alongside those who may feel unseen, alone, or cast out.
At Bridgetown, we join Jesus in extending kinship to people experiencing:
Limited Accessibility & New Neighbors: People facing physical or developmental barriers and those adapting to a new culture and community.
Foster Care & Aging: People without stable families and elders experiencing isolation or neglect.
Homelessness & Addiction: People navigating housing instability and/or substance dependence
Oppression & Injustice: Communities burdened by inequity, discrimination, and systemic harm.
Prison & Re-entry: People impacted by incarceration and rebuilding life after release.
Who can serve?
Every one of us was once far from God, and Jesus met us in our need. We commit to following Jesus’ example of
Bridgetown Communities: Opportunities for whole community groups (10–15 people) to serve together—or “wrap around” a project—are available.
Smaller Groups: Opportunities for smaller groups of people (2–6) to serve together are available.
Individuals: Individual opportunities available.
Kids: Kid friendly service opportunities are noted (*), and we encourage legal guardians to accompany all minors in service.
Service & Witness Pathways
Join us in serving our city—whether together in a Bridgetown Community or as individuals—through monthly participation with one of our partners or through the everyday practice of loving our neighbor.
For more information, email us at justice@bridgetown.church.
Build kinship with your neighbors through everyday service:
You do not have to partner with a nonprofit or with Bridgetown to build kinship relationships or serve others well. God has placed you in your context—your apartment complex, your workplace, your favorite dogpark—with intention. Loving like Jesus did, knowing and serving the men and women around us, is a crucial part of doing what Jesus did. Here are a few simple steps to get started on building relationships with your neighbors, in the “everyday ordinary”:
Know: Learn four neighbors' names on your block or in your apartment building.
Pray: Pray for those four neighbors, by name, weekly. Prayer moves the hand of God.
Serve: Look and listen for needs, and meet one of your neighbor’s needs monthly. These could be relational or physical needs, like sitting on the front porch with someone who is lonely, mowing a yard, or picking up groceries, etc.
Repeat: Implement steps 1–3 in additional “neighborhoods” in your life. Think of your workplace, your kid’s sports teams, the gym, or places you live your life that are full of people who need to be seen and served. Look for ways to partner with other individuals, groups or organizations.
Stretch: Go out of your way to serve a neighbor or neighborhood that is in great need and repeat steps 1–3. (Examples may include: Old Town, Gresham, or use www.neighborlinkpdx.org platform.)