| defenders of the faith |
January 2006 index|
It’s easy to think of mission to those of other faiths as something that happens ‘over there’ in some far-flung corner of the world. Of course, increasingly in our multi-faith society, mission opportunities are right here on our doorstep. Elsewhere in this magazine, we learn about Faith to Faith’s ‘Cross & Crescent’ course (click here) – an excellent way of helping lay people understand those who follow other religions. We can also read of the experiences of a Crosslinks short-term volunteer working amongst the Bangladeshi community in Britain, (click here). Here, we focus on the faithful long-term work of witness that happens day in and day out in one of our multi-cultural communities . . . |
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There are more cars parked outside the church and vicarage these days than ever before. The owners and occupants are attending worship. But revival hasn’t broken out yet in this northern inner-city parish. The worshippers are attending prayers in the local mosque just around the corner (all of the spaces near to the mosque are already taken). In this by no means unique parish the Asian population outnumbers the white Anglo-Saxon community, the black Afro-Caribbean and the more recent immigrants and asylum seekers. The dress and foodstuffs could have come straight out of urban Islamabad and the languages reflect rural Pakistan more than a Yorkshire mill town. But there are differences too. For example, the younger generations are increasingly questioning their identity and are open to values and ideas that would be alien to more traditional Islamic society. Some of these values are the ones many of us struggle with – increasing materialism, relaxed to non-existent morality, disillusionment and liberality. Some, such as freedom of speech, offer opportunities to share our homes, our lives and our stories – including the most important story of all. At the local church school we are bound by law to have Christian assemblies. 90% of the children are Muslims and in school they hear about Jesus from Christians. But if the church becomes too weak to fulfil its governing responsibilities this opportunity might be lost forever. Inner-city cross cultural mission; it’s an uphill struggle at times. Lack of resources, overwhelming need, able personnel moving out to the suburbs. Yet opportunities galore, colour and life. And you don’t have to go to Mumbai to do it.
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