Ministry in multi-faith contexts

Here are some thoughts on ministry in multi-faith contexts that I have shared with colleagues recently:

1. The need to broaden our theological understanding of dialogue. This is so that dialogue cannot be bracketed in people's minds as something that is done only in an inter-faith context. Instead, dialogue needs to viewed as something that characterises our relationship with God, with scripture and with each other, so that our dialogues in the inter-faith arena are not seen as peripheral to our faith but emerging out of the dialogues that are central to our faith and spirituality.
2. The importance of the workplace as a place of encounter between people of other faiths. In a Diocese such as Chelmsford, people can currently live or choose to live in places where they will not encounter many or any people of other faiths (with the exception of atheists or humanists). However, because many of these same people commute into London (in particular) for their work they inevitably encounter people of other faiths in their workplaces, making the workplace a key arena for inter-faith encounter. As a result, we should support and challenge our congregations to consider and evaluate their approach to those of other faiths within their workplaces. The Diocese of Chelmsford has resources available to help in addressing this issue. Firstly, we publish a 'Christians in the Workplace' parish resource pack (see http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/CITW.html) and secondly, those of us involved with Mission in London's Economy are also involved in building a network called Faiths in London's Economy (FiLE) of people across faith communities interested in addressing issues of faith and work (see http://www.mile.org.uk/file.htm).
3. Mission in a multi-faith parish. The parish of St John's Seven Kings now has a majority Asian population with significant Hindu, Sikh and Muslim communities present within that catch-all categorization. This adds to the decline in occasional offices that was already apparent through secularization and diminishes the effectiveness of those forms of social and fundraising activities that had been traditional in what was originally a reasonably affluent, white community. To survive or thrive with a viable congregation and a relevant ministry in the community has to involve reassessing and revising, but not abandoning altogether, traditional forms of mission and ministry. My view, at present, is that churches like St John's need both an incoming and outgoing ministry. Incoming ministry involves developing and marketing as broad a set of reasons why people should come to the building as possible. These will include: the vibrancy and welcome of the worship and fellowship (occasional offices will continue to feature here); the range of community activities happening within the building; and development of any other viable draw to the building such as its history or its Arts traditions/works/events. Outgoing ministry would then be about identifying key community issues and initiating a public conversation (through the local press, local authority consulations and forums, and involvement in community networks and organisations) on these issues from a Christian perspective. Involvement in both aspects increases the visibility of the Church within the local community and brings the staff team and congregation into contact and dialogue with as broad a range of local people as possible. Both then enable 'face-to-face' and 'side-by-side' dialogues and activities to be developed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sigur Ros - Hoppipolla.