More about Mahabba
Our operating principles
We are characterised by being:
Volunteer
Part-time
Cost-effective
Grassroots
Peer-led
Peer-accountable
Matrix”
Training
Resourcing
Our straplines
Loving all Muslims
This is also one of our core values, and is outworked through a wide range of expressions, but always with grace and truth.
Facing the facts not fuelling the fear
A key impact for Mahabba.
Our desired impact
What will it look like for those things to be outworked?
Prayer encouraged
Increased prayer. Churches and ‘everyday’ Christians energised to be involved with specific prayer meetings, prayer events and prayer initiatives, such as prayer walking.
‘Non specialist’ Christians enabled
Churches and ‘everyday’ Christians growing in awareness, overcoming fears, equipped.
Leaders / churches envisioned
Church leadership envisioned and seeing Mahabba as a ‘go to’ place for information, resources and training. The younger generation taking a lead.
Muslims and communities engaged
Churches and ‘everyday’ Christians engaged in witness. Believers with a Muslim background being spiritually nurtured and nurturing others in their own community.
The value we add
The Mahabba Network:
Champions the entire missional process
We help with help to develop friendship with Muslims. We continue by help with ways to witness effectively. We also help with ways to spiritually nurture the faith in Christ of people from a Muslim background.
Mahabba is a ‘one-stop-shop’
For advice, resources, support, training, fuel for prayer and guidance on the use of tools for initial interaction including the Prophets’ Stories and the Friendship First Course; and the systematic presentation of the gospel including Al Massira; to culturally inclusive fellowship including Joining the Family; to spiritual nurture including the Come Follow Me course.
Provides a platform
For Evangelicals, from a range of perspectives, who stand together in the ‘grace and truth’ attitude and response to Muslim people.
Is rooted in prayer
Mahabba links the needs among Muslims into national prayer networks.
Is an organic network
Rather than an ‘organisation’ or ‘agency’ Mahabba is a relational “network”.
Is for non-specialist Christians
Mahabba believes in the primacy of the local church and serves its needs.
Our distinctives
If Mahabba didn’t exist, it would need inventing. The “value-addeds” the Network contributes, include that we:
Exist for non-specialists
Champion the entire missional scope including interacting with Muslims in the workplace; through the local church; community initiatives; academia; work with refugees; local politics; and Christian organisations
Champion the entire missional process from initial engagement (e.g. MBUs; Scriptural Reasoning etc); through to witness (i.e. the culturally and theologically appropriate transmission of the gospel); through to
Spiritual nurture; through to culturally appropriate fellowship (i.e. safeguarding needs of new believers)
Are a one-stop-shop for advice, support, training, fuel for prayer, supply of resources for the missional process (incl. Prophets’ Stories; Friendship First; Come follow Me; Joining the Family; Al-Massira)
Provide a platform for Evangelicals from a variety of perspectives, to stand together for a ‘grace and truth’ attitude and approach to Muslim people
Are rooted in prayer and links the needs of Muslims into the national prayer networks
Are an organic network, rather than an organisation or agency
Focus on the primacy of the local church
How we are making this happen
Mahabba is a ‘matrix’ structure that is closer to a “network” than it is to an “organization”. This means being relational with administration kept as ‘light touch’ as possible. A genuine and equal ‘voice’ is given to all, from the grass roots to the Trustees. The Network operates via devolved “Circles” (teams), which focus on key functions, which are described in Role Descriptors as follows:
Resource Circle
Monitoring needs, identifying best resources, creating required resources and courses, developing a ‘one-stop shop’ to access the best resources, identifying and utilizing resource people.
Promotion Circle
Raising awareness and profile of the network, its vision and values, using electronic and other means, seeking to communicate across age ranges, getting good news stories out, ensuring fruitful practices and the best of the network are shared. Networking, partnerships
Network Circle
To help support, encourage and resource the local in making the 4Es happen; to help start new Mahabba groups and run events; to help mobilize local coordinators, church leaders, regional support, catalysts and champions. To encourage and facilitate network-wide sharing
Dashboard Circle
As an extension of the “Network Circle”, monitoring and ensuring that all Circles are functioning well and planning ahead for the needs of the Network
Support Circle
To provide administrative and operational support to the Network
Governance Circle
Trustees ensure charity compliance; overall fiduciary health; relational well-being; policies; and the strategic development of the Network
Our beliefs
Mahabba is affiliated to Global Connections, through CRIB (Christian Responses to Islam in Britain), and is a member of the Evangelical Alliance, so shares its Basis of Faith.
Mahabba respects the right of both Christians and Muslims to freely propagate their faith through loving and peaceful interaction.
It draws inspiration from the Christian-Muslim Forum's Ethical Guidelines for Witness and the Grace and Truth Affirmation.