| As others see us
 |
O wad some Pow’r the
giftie gie us
To see oursels as others
see us!
(Robert Burns) |
A Sikh colleague told me that
when he came to England
from the Punjab in the 1960s, he
was befriended by members of
his local Methodist church.
Over
time, close and supportive
relationships were formed
between Methodists and the
growing Sikh community. Only
after he met a Catholic priest
some time later did he discover
that not all Christians were
Methodists, that there were other
kinds too!
The diversity within the
Christian Church can come as a
surprise to many people of other
faiths. On more than one
occasion, I have been challenged
by Muslims asking ‘Why can’t you
worship together? Why do you
have so many different
churches?’
The implication is that
the existence of different church
denominations might reflect a
lack of shared community feeling
or that we hold different beliefs.
In response, I speak about the
distinctive Methodist ethos and
styles, but also about Christians
from different denominations
meeting together as well as
separately.
During such
conversations, I wish that we
didn’t use the word ‘church’ to
mean the whole body of Christ,
individual congregations and also
the buildings we use for worship.
It can make life difficult,
especially as people of other
faiths are most likely to have an
understanding of church as
meaning a building.
The Revd Geoff Reid, Team
Leader at Touchstone, a
Methodist project in inner city
Bradford, comments that his
Muslim neighbours know he is a
Methodist and a Christian. In
conversation, he might mention
that he has attended Methodist
Council or Conference.
However,
they don’t see his Methodism as
the most significant aspect of his
faith but rather as a matter of
personal choice. They see the
Christian ‘aspect’ as central,
indicating his faith community.
It is important, in a multi faith
context, that Christian unity is
visible as a witness to our belief
in one God and our love for one
another.
DR HELEN REID is Director of
Bradford Churches for Dialogue
and Diversity. Tel: 01274 488144
e-mail: director@bcdd.org.uk.
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