268. Borderless Faith, with Seth Clark, Lead Pastor of The Border Church

05/13/25 • 45 min

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What does ministry look like when your church gathers at the very place that’s meant to divide? In this episode, Seth Clark invites us into the powerful story of The Border Church, where the simple act of worship confronts separation with the radical unity of God’s love, and where he and his congregants—on both sides of the wall—have had to adapt to a reality in which the powers make it harder and harder for them to worship together.

THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Seth Clark describes the Border Church as a practice of publicly experiencing God's presence and unity at a site of division.
The Border Church centers its ministry around sharing holy communion as a visible act of God’s love in a divided context.
Seth Clark explains how families from both sides have long used Friendship Park to connect despite restrictive border policies.
Border Church started as periodic communion services at the border and gradually grew into a more structured worship community.
Seth Clark recounts the agreement that allowed Friendship Park to open for limited hours on weekends, enabling regular gatherings.
Physical barriers at the border forced participants to adapt, sharing only a pinky touch through the mesh as a sign of peace.
Leadership of the Border Church came by community discernment when the founding pastor stepped down, Seth Clark shares.
Border Church functions without a traditional building, requiring creative leadership and adaptability in its pastoral approach.
The COVID-19 pandemic and persistent border lockdowns have forced the church to continually reinvent how it worships and connects.
Seth Clark highlights the shift of pastoral needs toward the Mexico side as waves of migrants and asylum seekers increased.
Border Church supports partnerships with local shelters, providing meals and spiritual care for migrants waiting at the border.
Markus Watson explores the deep sense of loss, frustration, and adaptation that accompanies changes to how the Border Church operates.
Seth Clark emphasizes the importance of faithfulness over visible results, especially when facing circumstances beyond one’s control.
Leading through loss involves distinguishing between what can and cannot be changed, and supporting people in navigating change and grief.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

The Border Church:
- Facebook
- Instagram - @theborderchurch
Books mentioned:
- Church at the Wall, by Seth Clark
Related episodes:

Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!

THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Seth Clark describes the Border Church as a practice of publicly experiencing God's presence and unity at a site of division.
The Border Church centers its ministry around sharing holy communion as a visible act of God’s love in a divided context.
Seth Clark explains how families from both sides have long used Friendship Park to connect despite restrictive border policies.
Border Church started as periodic communion services at the border and gradually grew into a more structured worship community.
Seth Clark recounts the agreement that allowed Friendship Park to open for limited hours on weekends, enabling regular gatherings.
Physical barriers at the border forced participants to adapt, sharing only a pinky touch through the mesh as a sign of peace.
Leadership of the Border Church came by community discernment when the founding pastor stepped down, Seth Clark shares.
Border Church functions without a traditional building, requiring creative leadership and adaptability in its pastoral approach.
The COVID-19 pandemic and persistent border lockdowns have forced the church to continually reinvent how it worships and connects.
Seth Clark highlights the shift of pastoral needs toward the Mexico side as waves of migrants and asylum seekers increased.
Border Church supports partnerships with local shelters, providing meals and spiritual care for migrants waiting at the border.
Markus Watson explores the deep sense of loss, frustration, and adaptation that accompanies changes to how the Border Church operates.
Seth Clark emphasizes the importance of faithfulness over visible results, especially when facing circumstances beyond one’s control.
Leading through loss involves distinguishing between what can and cannot be changed, and supporting people in navigating change and grief.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

The Border Church:
- Facebook
- Instagram - @theborderchurch
Books mentioned:
- Church at the Wall, by Seth Clark
Related episodes:

Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Previous Episode

267. Moving Past Plateaus, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson

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This conversation reflects on the urgent need for genuine transformation in the church, rather than simply tweaking what isn’t working. Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson explore the signs that point to deeper issues—like plateauing membership, aging congregations, and stagnating giving—and why now is the time for a true “hero’s journey” of change, not just rearranging the chairs on the Titanic.

Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Rex Miller in Ep. 254: Digital Disruption and the Future of the Church:

"There are some telltale signs that it's time to go on a hero's journey. One telltale sign is we're plateauing in our membership. Or our members are getting older. Or our giving is plateauing. Now is not the time to try to rearrange the chairs on the Titanic.”

THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Church leaders recognize critical signs—like plateauing membership, aging congregations, and stagnant giving—that indicate the need for deep transformation.
Leaders create only superficial change when they settle for “rearranging the chairs on the Titanic” instead of tackling the root issues.
Effective leadership requires admitting when you don’t know what to do and being willing to learn all over again.
Leaders lose key, healthy members when they make ministry primarily about themselves rather than about something greater.
Transformation happens when leaders embrace adaptive change, let go of their expertise, and journey into new ways of leading.

Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Next Episode

269. Balancing Mission and Consensus in Leadership, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger

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In this episode, Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger explore what it really means to lead with care—especially when consensus isn’t possible and someone might get hurt. Tod brings his insight on adaptive leadership, highlighting the tension between seeking unity and making tough, missional choices that can disappoint or cause pain. Together, Markus and Tod reflect on how Jesus modeled mission-centered leadership, caring for people while staying true to his calling—even when it meant letting others down.

Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Marc Schelske in Ep. 258: Walking the Path of Other-Centered Leadership:

“If I really love all the people that are impacted by this decision, then this decision has to be consensual."

THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Leaders foster togetherness when they involve everyone in the decision-making process.
Healthy leadership accepts that some decisions will inevitably cause pain or disappointment.
Groups achieve consensus when everyone commits to follow the chosen path, even amidst disagreement.
Leadership requires balancing love for people with dedication to the organization's mission.
Leaders best serve their communities when they offer care to those most affected by painful decisions.

Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.