Wells and fences (more incarnational stuff)

Hirsch and Frost provide a useful illustration of the difference between what they call a ‘bounded’ church and a ‘centred’ church. Briefly put a ‘bounded church’ is a set of people clearly marked off from those who do not belong to it – you’re either ‘in’ or ‘out’. Whereas a ‘centred church’ is defined by its core values, and people are not seen as in or out, but as closer or further away from the centre – the centre being Jesus. (No prizes for guessing which ‘model’ I prefer!)


Anyway, I was so struck by the illustration that I thought it was worth posting. They contend that the difference in emphasis is much like the difference between wells (not walls as I originally read it!) and fences. They write:

‘In some farming communities, the farmers might build fences around their properties to keep their livestock in and the livestock of neighbouring farms out (this represents a ‘bounded church’). But in rural communities where farms or ranches cover an enormous geographic area, fencing the property is out of the question. In our home of Australia, ranches are so vast that fences are superfluous. Under these conditions a farmer has to sink a bore and create a well, a precious water supply in the Outback, It is assumed that livestock, though they will stray, will never roam too far from the well, lest they die (this represents a ‘centred church’). As long as there is a supply of clean water, the livestock will remain close by.' (2003:47)

Let's get drilling!