CHAPTER 15
Building Bridges
A genuine leader is not a searcher for
consensus but a molder of consensus.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.In leadership literature, a distinction is sometimes made between
a leader and a manager. Managers work mostly within an orga-
nization while leaders also develop key relationships outside the
organization.
By that measure, Billy Graham was clearly a leader. While he
led those inside his organization, his primary efforts were directed
outward. Throughout his ministry, he built relational bridges with
key individuals whose friendship would prove valuable to the
cause.
Bridge building is not always a natural inclination. Bridge
builders risk upsetting the equilibrium a comfortable distance pro-
vides. Yet in today’s world that brings us into contact with all
kinds of diversity, the need to build bridges to people beyond our
own circles is more vital than ever.
Early in his career, Billy Graham had plenty of “natural incli-
nations” and even prejudices to overcome. After becoming
engaged to Ruth, who grew up in the home of Presbyterian mis-
sionaries, Billy infuriated her with his stereotypic Baptist suspi-
cion toward establishment denominations. Ruth claims Billy once
told her that “Daddy couldn’t be in the will of God because he
was Presbyterian. I almost gave him his ring back right there.”