My Muslim friends at the Prophet's Birthday (Mawlid)

Resources >Engaging Muslims> Engaging as individuals > My Muslim friends at Mawlid

My Muslim Friends at the Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid)

Maulid (or Mawlid) al-Nabi means 'birth of the prophet'. The exact date of Muhammad's birth is not known but is often regarded as the 12th day of the month by Sunni Muslims, although Shia Muslims believe the prophet's birthday was on the 17th day. This date is observed by praise, fasting, public processions, poetry, family gatherings and the decoration of streets and homes. It is on 19th October 2021.

The Contested Eid

A column of 5000 men processing up the narrow streets was hard to miss. And in case we weren’t looking, there was sound of chanting blaring through loud speakers mounted on top of a car, not to mention a plane flying overhead trailing a banner reading ‘Muhammad a mercy to mankind.’ This was not happening in Pakistan, but on the terraced streets of a former industrial town in Lancashire.

This was my first experience of the Muslim Eid of Mawlid, the celebration of the birth of Muhammad. It comes around once a year, much as you might expect, but since the Islamic calendar is eleven days shorter than ours, the date is different each time. In 2021, it falls on 19th October. The processions are generally held on the closest convenient Sunday, Covid permitting, of course. This particular activity is the most visible part of the celebration, but special events are also held inside the mosques.

Some months later, I got to know the imam who leads this particular event and we became friends. He invited me to join him on the next Mawlid procession. I had been to events such as Iftar (the break of the fast during Ramadan) and I had attended community events in the mosque as a guest and observer. Joining in the celebration of Muhammad’s birth was a step I could not take, so I declined as politely I could. Now, one could argue that it is only a cultural event, a joyful celebration of Muslim community life and freedom of expression in this country; our MP may have seen it that way when he walked with the leaders of the procession one year, but, in all conscience, I did not feel I could.

There is another aspect to this particular Eid. It is bitterly contested within the Muslim community. It is openly denounced by the growing Salafi movement as a monstrous corruption of true Islam. Where different traditions are found side by side in the same locality, Muslims may be sharply divided over it. For some, it is a glorious expression of love for the prophet as required in the accepted saying “None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind.” For other Muslims, it is a manifestation of wicked idolatry.

For many of our Muslim friends this is a live issue. They will have an opinion about it. How should we Christians interact with them about it? If they commend it, what might we say? If they condemn it, where do we go with that? If they say it is merely culture (“you know, like Christmas”), how do we answer? Mawlid is an opportunity to talk about faith and worship; can we use it to speak of our love for and faith in Jesus, before whom God said every knee will bow?

Ted Collins

See also The Other Islam, Ted Collins, p93.

Calling on the Prophets in Christian Witness to Muslims - Colin Bearup

Resources >New Books> Calling on the prophets

Calling on the Prophets in Christian Witness to Muslims - Colin Bearup

All the prophets are to be taken seriously by Muslims. They know the names of many Bible characters and often know Islam’s version of their stories. Most Muslims, however, are also aware that they do not know the whole story. This book is about sharing the precious truth of the gospel by referencing characters on whom Muslims themselves set a high value.

Calling on the Prophets offers helpful, practical conversational habits to initiate, navigate, and steer conversations through the common ground of our prophetic heritage. This is not a method to replace all others; it is an extra ability to add to our skill set. In the first four chapters, Colin Bearup lays out the principles and sets ground rules for respectful, fruitful conversations. The next ten chapters apply these principles to fourteen Bible characters known to Muslims as prophets. If we master the approach, we can engage in these example conversations and successfully delve into others.

None of these ideas are totally new, but they are brought together in one slim volume by a worker with forty years of mission experience who can illustrate the approach with real-life examples. Here is an opportunity to learn new ways to enhance our effectiveness in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Calling on the Prophets delightfully illustrates how to utilize the Old Testament Prophets to open Muslim hearts, creating a desire in them to “bow the knee” to the Lord Jesus, Isa Al Masih. - Rev. Dr. Greg Livingstone, founder, Frontiers

This is exactly what the mission world needs today—a practitioner sharing his inside experience and wisdom. Colin is both personable and practical, making this an extremely valuable resource for those wishing to share their Christian faith with Muslims. - Roland Muller, author of Honor and Shame and The Messenger, the Message and the Community

Well Mister Bearup...All I can say is 90 points out of 10 for your latest book! Too much is written on apologetics and polemics nowadays...But your book is a treasure of HOW to connect with the Muslim heart using the prophets and push/place the Muslim in the direction of Christ through arousing curiosity, thoughtfulness, and respectful discussion. Every page of your book is a treasure chest of gems. May Jesus (his peace be upon us!) use this book to fuel the body of Christ with practical tools to win Muslim hearts for Christ...Rather than pummel them into the ground! - A full time worker with Pioneers with a full time love for Muslims.

Available from Amazon and other bookshops

Christian and Muslim Discussions

Resources > Engaging Muslims > Engaging as groups > Christian and Muslim discussions

Hikmah Guides

'Hikmah' is an Arabic word for wisdom.

Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies

Hikmah Study Guides are short booklets of 20 or so pages which present a Muslim and a Christian perspective on a particular topic. They end with a conclusion and further reading. An important part of the booklets are the questions at the end designed to help both Muslims and Christians think more deeply about the issue.

These booklets are written by both Muslim and Christian scholars to encourage engagement and understanding between Muslim and Christian people.  The topics presented are often challenging and controversial ones but are presented in such a way that people will be able to move forward and talk together with a common foundation.

These booklets can be read online or downloaded as a PDF document.  They can be used as conversation starters for small groups whether people of the same faith or for dialogue between those of different faiths.

Topics covered so far are:

• Muhammad

• The Qur’an

• Women in the Scriptures

• Law

• The Bible

• Sectarianism

• Persecution

• War and in preparation are Jesus

• Water

• Martyrdom

• God

• Islamophobia

For more information and also to learn about the Oxford Centre for Muslim Christian Studies (OCMCS) go to their website https://www.cmcsoxford.org.uk/ and look for the link to Hikmah Study Guides.  There are many other interesting things on this website including talks, newsletters and research briefings.

Mountains Move - Steve Bell

Resources >New Books>Mountains Move

Mountains Move - Steve Bell

Public discourse has become increasingly strident, aided and abetted by political correctness. Some Christians are intimidated by this and withdraw, while others unwittingly tread on social landmines, damaging their message and giving Christians a bad reputation.

What the book is about The book is an insight into Christian engagement and mission in the 21st Century, how Christians can follow the risen Christ through church walls into society as effective ‘moral salt’ and ‘spiritual light’. The social “marketplace” of ideas has shifted online, which is the latest frontier for Christian presence, engagement and mission, and where we “teach” the relevance of the gospel as an entre to “preach” it amidst the social landmines strewn around in a post-Christian society. How do we navigate our way with unconscious biases such as the colonial era or white supremacy; the notion of political correctness or the danger posed by fundamentalist Muslims and Christians; the challenge of secularism and the new atheism. What do we do in light of the flow of ex-Muslims who are attaching to local churches? Mountains are moving but are we moving with them?

‘The topography of Steve Bell’s “mountains” is enlightening and humbling. There is a steep but rewarding learning curve here for those longing for a more honest and humble witness to Muslim friends.’ Chris Wright, PhD, Director of the Langham Partnership

In an original, easy-to-digest, experience-born style, this is a timely analyses that is intellectually rigorous and gently persuasive. Muslims and others are, at heart, in pain. How can followers of Jesus best help?’ Rt Revd Dr Bill Musk,author and former bishop in North Africa

‘Finally, a book which sets the complexity of public discourse with Muslims in a social and historical context. I appreciate Steve’s sensitive handling and wise counsel on the difference between American and British attitudes to polemics. This book is a must-read on both sides of the Atlantic.’Jay SmithPhD, founder of Pfander, apologist, polemicist

‘This book, provides not only understanding of our Muslim neighbours, but also of the opportunities among the many Muslims who are open to Christ. This framework gives me confidence to reach out with the good news of the gospel.’ Rico Tice, Senior Minister –All Souls’ Church Langham Place

‘Steve Bell has given us, a clear analysis of the track record of interaction between Christians and Muslims that is precise and constructive. If taken on board by churches and Missions, it could cause a small revolution, in training for clergy and mission.’ Ron George, founder of People International, World in Need & Eurasia Education Foundation

Steve Bell is an internationally recognised communicator, analyst, speaker, author, trainer, and consultant. He has over forty years’ experience in cross-cultural engagement in over 120 countries. Steve pioneered two missional initiatives for South Sudan and the Horn of Africa, directed three agencies, and chaired two NGOs. He studied theology under Nottingham University and the Evangelical Seminary Cairo, as well as cross-cultural mission studies at All Nations Christian College Herts and the Southern Cross College Sydney. He has served on the speaking teams of Spring Harvest, Word Alive, Keswick Convention, and New Wine. Other published titles by Steve Bell include: Friendship First;Grace for Muslims;Gospel for Muslims;Between Naivety & Hostility (Ed)

Where to obtain a copy: www.authenticmedia.co.uk or all reputable bookshops Price: £12.99 (Ebook £9.99)

Sharing the Gospel with a Muslim Neighbour

Resources >Engaging Muslims> Engaging as individuals > Sharing the gospel with a Muslim neighbour

Phil caught up with Rob Scott to ask him about his new book: Sharing the Gospel with a Muslim Neighbour.

Rob is on staff at St Helen’s (Bishopsgate) where he oversees international outreach, is part of the Mahabba Network and reaching out to the Bangladeshi community in Central London.   

The book takes us from first conversations, through deeper discussions with friends, to the discipling of a new believer. It helps in us taking next steps and going beyond wherever we might be with our neighbour - beyond ‘hello’ for some of us and beyond general conversations to deeper things.

Listen in here as Rob shares about his journey and provides insights on topics such as: asking good questions, introducing Jesus and discovery in the Bible.

Click here for more details of the book and where it’s available to buy

Sharing the Gospel with a Muslim Neighbour - Robert Scott

Resources >New Books>Sharing the Gospel with a Muslim Neighbour

Sharing the Gospel with a Muslim Neighbour - Robert Scott

Listen here to Mahabba’s interview with Rob talking about the book

We can often find it tricky to start a gospel conversation with our Muslim neighbours. Maybe we worry that we don t understand our Muslim friends' beliefs and will get caught out, or we might be wary of stepping on cultural toes and offending them, or perhaps we simply have no idea where to start.

In this practical guide to Muslim people and their faith, Robert Scott draws on his experience in Bangladesh and Central London to explain what Muslims believe. He presents the key pillars of Islam, unpacks Muslim beliefs about the Bible and Jesus, and answers questions about the Qur'an, Muhammad and more. This book will help you engage with whatever objections your Muslim friends may have and invite them to discover what the Bible says about Jesus.

If you ve ever wondered how to open a conversation about the gospel with your Muslim neighbour, this book will provide encouragement to help you to start.

You can buy the book here - ideal for giving to Christian friends to encourage them

The Other Islam - Ted Collins

Resources >New Books> The Other Islam

The Other Islam - Ted Collins

“We serve God out of love and gratitude, but you Muslims serve God out of a desire to earn acceptance and forgiveness,” said my well-meaning friend, a vicar in the Church of England.

His Muslim friend frowned. “No, not at all. We serve God out of love. Loving God and loving our neighbours is what we are all about,” he replied.

Why would his Muslim friend say such a thing? After all, we all know that Islam is harsh, legalistic and driven by fear, don’t we?

Actually, there is a whole stream of Islam that doesn’t work like that. These Muslims are not assertive or aggressive so we often do not notice them. They are Sufis and they are a significant and growing presence among our Muslim neighbours. To share the good news of Jesus with them, it helps to know where they are coming from. That is what this book is about.

“Here is an accessible exposition, based on personal experience as well as academic research, of major themes within the Islamic world of Sufism. British readers may be surprised to learn of the adherents of this tradition who are likely to be as much their neighbours as Muslims with other orientations. Collins writes sensitively, yet with spiritual awareness and longing for Christian witness to such friends to be appropriate.” Bishop Bill Musk

“Ted’s book is like Goldilocks’ porridge. It neither too long nor too short, neither too detailed nor too un-nuanced, and neither too theoretical nor too practical. It is just right. It can help someone who has many Muslim friends think Biblically and listen carefully to their friends, so that they can present Jesus the Messiah more fully to them. . . .. It has helped me to get behind some of the things I see and hear in East London, and so, hopefully, to fruitfully show how Jesus both challenges and meets Sufi Muslim people’s deepest needs. I will also be using his insights in my teaching and training of others.” Robert Scott

“Ted Collins’ wonderfully written exploration on the nature, origins and expressions of Sufism is a much needed resource as it provides balance to numerous Christian studies based on conventional persp ectives of Islam. The effort is also very timely due to current Sufi resurgences observed in many parts of the world. Collins’ admirably articulates how Sufism departs from more traditional ‘text based’ Islam; examines Sufi developments in contemporary Bri tain; and offers helpful reflections on what Christ centred ‘good news’ can be for Sufis. . . . I enthusiastically recommend this incisive and concise work.” Dr L Mak

“Until reading Ted’s book I had no idea how important Sufi movements are to the spiritual life of Muslims, their mission, and accommodation with Western culture. Ted relates many personal experiences of attending Sufi gatherings, talking to Sufi adherents, and drawing on his MA research, which focused on “conversion” to Sufism in the UK. We are introduced to a Sufi world within an orthodoxy Islamic world, underscoring this when he writes, “The outlook of Sufis is significantly different from that described in typical Christian books about Islam.” Ted alerts us to the growth of Sufism, its strengths, challenges, and opportunities. Reading his book may we equip ourselves for gracious encounters with Sufi shaykhs and their disciples.” Keith Fraser-Smith

Creative Prayer - Audio

Resources > Encouraging prayer > Prayer groups > Creative Prayer

Creative Prayer ideas

Listen to Paul in conversation about Creative Prayer - thoughts about how to encourage creativity in prayer to make prayer times engaging and dynamic. Each section is about 20 minutes.

In Part 1, Paul talks about the principles of creative prayer, and different ways to focus on God to start - ‘Look up before looking down.’

In Part 2, Paul talks about different topics for prayer, and creative ways to engage.

In Part 3, Paul discusses using different symbols in prayer

See also: Prayer Ideas for Group Meetings, Some Helpful Group Models and Ideas for Prayer, Some Thoughts on Facilitating a Prayer Session, Praying Scripture, Prayer Walking

Helpful Phone Apps for Sharing Faith

Resources > Engaging Muslims > Engaging as individuals > Helpful phone apps

Here are some phone apps that have been recommended by others for sharing faith with Muslims:

Jesus Film Media app for smartphones

This is a great way to ensure that you always have quick access to the Jesus or Magdalena films (and others) in the languages relevant to your location. Videos can be easily downloaded to your phone or tablet so that you do not need a phone signal or other access to the internet in order to view them. More information here

GodTools

This app has several different Gospel presentations in 84 languages that you can use to walk someone through the Gospel, explain how to have a relationship with God, and give them an opportunity to respond. In addition to more typical Western gospel presentations, it has a Power/Fear one and a Shame/Honour one. There are even pictures that you can use in your language lessons! More information here. Also there is a series of videos here on how best to use these apps with a friend.

Create International App

This is one of the most useful evangelism tools for sharing Jesus with your neigbours who speak a different language. There are over 100 Gospel films you can view or download to your mobile device. More information here

The Chosen

This multi season series about the life of Jesus offers viewers a glimpse into what the daily and extraordinary life of Jesus Christ and his disciples might have looked like 2,000 years ago and invites the viewer into His story. Watch for free in the mobile app. The new app can be accessed via newthechosen.tv or watch online via watch.thechosen.tv

Resources for Addressing Mental Wellbeing

Resources for Addressing Mental Wellbeing, Safe Spaces, Spiritual Formation, Trauma, Abuse, Pornography, Domestic Abuse in Discipling Believers from Muslim Backgrounds 

The following is a list of resources, curated by categories, that are available for equipping the church to be a vital part of mental health and wholeness and sound discipleship with believers from Muslim backgrounds. These provide helpful tools for awareness, equipping, supporting, and being able to walk with others with mental health issues, abuse, and trauma backgrounds and who may be harming others while trying to minimise their own pain.

Not only do each of the following areas affect those coming into the church from various backgrounds, including from Islam, but they also affect those in the church and in greater society. The statistics in the church alone are staggering.
If we, as the church, are to offer whole-life wellness and discipleship, it’s imperative we get equipped. Discipling and pastoral care for pre - and new - believers may also reveal unexposed issues in the lives of long-term believers.

Resources include those for outward expressions of inward issues, including trauma/abuse, but also the outworking of other-directed abuse and trauma  (domestic and gender-based violence, including the effects of pornography). Victims sometimes become those who harm others.  

Trauma and harm are not respecters of faith background, ethnicity or gender, although some forms disproportionally affect girls and women. In these difficult and uncertain times, we see anxiety, depression, and a host of other trauma responses rising. People have always been experiencing “Big T” trauma and “Little t”  trauma, but the pandemic brought more devastation and uncertainty than most of us have ever seen in our lifetimes. The information coming from all quarters, locally to globally, repeats the deep concern regarding the avalanche of mental health issues that are now upon us.  The pandemic has exacerbated long-term issues.

NHS Mental Health services have been overwhelmed for years. However, there are also good resources for the church to be equipped to be the healing community God designed us to be. We all want to offer meaningful help while having assurance that we are indeed helping and not harming. It is amazing that God calls us into these healing relationships and equips us through Holy Spirit, best practice resources given to the church, and in partnership with professional therapists to be the healing hands and hearts of the Lord right where we’re placed – as the local Body of Christ. 

Many of the resources below offer a multiplicity of tools and trainings, including live and online training,  books, interviews, and podcasts. The beauty of podcasts is that one can hear something multiple times, learn from PhD level therapists and researchers who make information available, and gain valuable repetition and affirmation of what one has been experiencing and learning.

Mental health and wellbeing are important across all ethnicities and faiths (or none). Although the honour/shame components of some faiths/cultures may seem to be different on the surface, the reality is that we are all affected by shame and relational styles of hiding, trying to minimise pain. Many faith groups are seeking how to deal with mental health/wellbeing issues. In fact, exploring these issues and tools offer the potential for new ways of inter-faith engagement.

All but two of the resources below have been developed by those who are distinctively Christian. Tools and resources given are applicable for believers from any background.

Download the pdf for live links (button at top of page).

Contents

GENERAL RESOURCES

BIBLICALLY BASED RESOURCES: TOOLS FOR WORKERS, DISCIPLERS, AND PASTORAL CARE TEAMS – GROUP AND INDEPENDENT STUDY

1. SOUL CARE FOR PROVIDERS/VOLUNTEERS

2. TRAINING FOR GROUPS AND CHURCHES

3. TRAUMA AND REFUGEES/ASYLUM SEEKERS

4. FORMING SAFE SPACE IN CHURCHES AND COMMUNITIES

5. SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND DISCIPLESHIP IN EMOTIONAL MATURITY AND WELLBEING

6. TRAUMA TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS

   1. General Trauma

   2. Trauma and Sexual Abuse

   3. Storywork

   4. Trauma and Dissociative Responses (Dissociation and Dissociative Identity Disorders – DiD)

7. ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACEs)

8. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT & ADVICE AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING

9. ADDRESSING PORNOGRAPHY

10. PODCASTS – all can be found through any podcast server (iTunes, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, etc.).

11. CREATIVITY AND WELLBEING

12. BOOKS ABOUT TRAUMA

13. PRAYER AND HEALING RETREAT CENTRES

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GENERAL RESOURCES  

Mind - For Better Health. www.mind.org.uk National Mental Health Charity, helpful for generally understanding mental health. This organisation offers resources (many at no cost)  for individuals, businesses, and students. 

 Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth (ICTG) https://www.ictg.org/ This US-based organisation provides restorative strategies for leaders, organisations, and communities for personal and group growth after collective loss. Provides some faith-based training. Download Phases of Disaster Response chart: https://www.ictg.org/phases-of-disaster-response.html

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BIBLICALLY BASED RESOURCES: TOOLS FOR WORKERS, DISCIPLERS,  AND PASTORAL CARE TEAMS – GROUP AND INDEPENDENT STUDY  

1. SOUL CARE FOR PROVIDERS/VOLUNTEERS  

Overcoming Compassion Fatigue. https://learn.redcliffe.ac.uk/courses/compassion-fatigue course/
If you are someone who is involved in humanitarian work, volunteering for a charity or NGO, in aid or relief work, or, if you work in one of the caring professions, or in any kind of pastoral role or ministry, you no doubt have many one-off encounters with people who are experiencing difficult and sometimes traumatic life circumstances. This is a short course of four half-hour modules to help you identify, prevent, and recover from compassion fatigue, through good practices in self-care. 

Understanding Anxiety.
https://www.faithwalking.us/understanding-anxiety-independent study/.
A Faithwalking offering, this four-session independent study course will help you understand the impact of anxiety in your life and provide tools to practice managing yourself better in anxious situations. It explores anxiety and its impacts, the patterns of reactivity to it, leads into helpful practices for overcoming it.  

Introduction to Soul Care.
https://www.faithwalking.us/intro-soul-care-independent-study/
Another Faithwalking offering, this five-session independent study course will help you pay attention to the aliveness of your own soul. You will recognize the enemies of your soul and will be present to the struggle and the delight of caring for your soul as you minister to others. 

2. TRAINING FOR GROUPS AND CHURCHES  

Churches that Heal.
https://churchesthatheal.com/
An all new digital resource created by the Christian psychologist, Henry Cloud (author of Boundaries), and based on the iconic book, Changes that Heal. This was created in response to Christian leaders all over the world saying essentially: “we feel ill-equipped to handle the issues of mental health in our churches and we need a simple programme to help.” This helps leaders and pastoral care ministries to handle issues of trauma and mental health in their communities through a biblical and psychologically sound plan of healing. This is an insightful resource. Link to a preview here: https://churchesthatheal.com/preview-content/  

Sanctuary Mental Health
https://www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org/
Mission: “Envisioning a  future where the Church plays a vital role in supporting mental health and wellbeing in every community.“ Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries equips the Church to support mental health and wellbeing by providing resources that meaningfully engage the topics of faith and mental health. Content is developed in collaboration with theologians, psychologists, and people with lived experience of mental health challenges. These resources prepare communities of faith around the world to raise awareness, reduce stigma, support mental health, and promote mental wellbeing. Podcast and blogs available (see below in Podcasts). Their introductory course: https://www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org/sanctuary-course/

Mind and Soul Foundation.
www.mindandsoulfoundation.org.
Christian Emotional and Mental Health Resources. Equipping and Education through books, podcasts, etc. Includes  the podcast found on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/mind-and-soul podcast/id375680041 

3. TRAUMA AND REFUGEES/ASYLUM SEEKERS  

The American Bible Society – Trauma Healing Institute. www.thi.americanbible.org
Stewards the Healing the Wounds of Trauma programme, supports global trauma healing and offers intense multi-day training for churches.

Life Transitions Refugee - Emotional Wellbeing & Resilience for Refugees.  www.ltrefugee.org
Provides resources and training to community groups and charities supporting displaced people.  

Refugee Resource.
https://www.refugeeresource.org.uk/training-and-consultancy 
Based in Oxford, they provide training for other organisations on mental health and effective ways to work with refugees and migrants, to ensure they are treated with understanding and compassion when trying to establish themselves in the UK.

4. FORMING SAFE SPACE IN CHURCHES AND COMMUNITIES  

Acorn Listening Pathways.
https://acornchristian.org/
An outstanding course for equipping the church in how to listen well and offer listening services to members, those in their communities and in various settings (local GP surgeries, hospital settings, schools, etc.). Highly recommended and offered online, Acorn Christian Healing Foundation delivers Healing and Wholeness to individuals and communities. It is committed to being a transformative agent in today’s multi-faceted society.
One of their offerings is training in listening well, Acorn Listening Pathways. https://acornchristian.org/event information#d1d0c412-9834-430b-bc0b-5d3aaa850384 We tire quickly, and long for space to breathe, talk, be heard. Acorn’s Listening Pathway responds to this longing in that listening is a vital part of the healing process.  

Renew Wellbeing.
https://www.renewwellbeing.org.uk/
Renew Wellbeing helps churches open spaces of welcome and inclusion in partnership with local mental health services and other community resources to improve mental and emotional wellbeing. Renew spaces are simple cafe-style spaces run by local churches where hobbies and activities are shared or co-produced. Each cafe space is attached to a quiet room or prayer space where inner habits of wellbeing are shared. Free online training is available for churches looking at setting up an online Renew Community.

Kintsugi Hope.
https://www.kintsugihope.com/
The Church is in every community across this country. It will outlast government schemes and is committed to people’s wellbeing – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Kintsugi Hope Groups work in communities through the local church with an attitude of humility – not to judge, fix or rescue, but to come alongside and love one another. We are all broken in some ways and we can all learn from each other. Kintsugi Hope groups enable churches to reach their congregations and communities with 12-session programmes to support people’s mental and emotional wellbeing. 

Journey UK.
https://www.journey-uk.org/
Found here and in the category below, Journey UK is a pastoral discipleship ministry helping Christians grow in a lifelong, experiential relationship with God as they learn to express His image as sons and daughters, enjoying security in their relationships. Through courses, events and resources, Journey offers a safe place where men and women can find hope for their lives and deeper connection with God and others.

5. SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND DISCIPLESHIP IN EMOTIONAL MATURITY 

Although good discipleship is desired, there have been few tools that provide a pathway for it. The following are solid helps, based on sound theology, social/emotional development, and how we learned to relate to others in our earliest and succeeding systems that God wants corrected so we can “possess our souls in patience” and develop the character of Christ in communities of faith.

Faithwalking.
https://www.faithwalking.us/
Developed by a Licensed Professional Counsellor and a Ph.D. researcher/human systems expert, Faithwalking is a spiritual formation process where people are increasingly following the way of Jesus, experiencing ongoing transformation, and developing effective practices for restoring individuals, social systems, communities, and nations to God’s intended design. Faithwalking utilises sound Biblical, theological, and relational work, practical daily transformation, spiritual disciplines, and coaching/mentoring woven together with family systems work pioneered by Edwin Friedman and Murray Bowen (Bowen Family Systems, https://www.thebowencenter.org/).
There are several low and no cost resources in FW Ongoing Transformation and Education offerings, in addition to the Faithwalking Foundations Course Modules. Blog and podcast resources are available. There are two online communities available at no fee:
Christian meditation and spiritual practices that nurture the soul in community https://www.faithwalking.us/meditation/
Keep Calm and Faithwalk On – a community of conversation, learning, and mutual support in these anxious times https://www.faithwalking.us/keepcalm/

FAMILY SYSTEMS READING, FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN FOUNDATIONS OF IT.

Edwin Friedman. Rabbi and Family Therapist. Friedman was a charter member of the American Family Therapy Academy, a fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a diplomate of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

A Failure of Nerve. Book by Friedman outlining self-differentiation and systems thinking. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Failure-Nerve-Leadership-Age-Quick/dp/159627042X.

Excellent Short Paper from Peterborough Diocese regarding Friedman’s work. https://www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/downloads/adult-education-and-training/familysystems.pdf

Murray Bowen.
https://www.thebowencenter.org/
Scholar, researcher, clinician, writer, and visiting professor in medical schools. Bowen trained at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, KS, and became a psychiatrist at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, MD. His work on Family Systems is key in leadership development and healthy systems of families, churches, and teams.

Journey UK.
https://www.journey-uk.org/
Journey UK is a pastoral discipleship ministry helping Christians grow in a lifelong, experiential relationship with God as they learn to express His image as sons and daughters, enjoying security in their relationships. Through courses, events and resources, Journey offers a safe place where men and women can find hope for their lives and deeper connection with God and others.

Book: The Other Half of the Church: Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Half-Church-Overcoming-Stagnation-ebook/dp/B085FRH7LP.
This book helps make the case for using brain science regarding both hemispheres of the brain in forming relationally and emotionally healthy communities of faith. Using brain science, Wilder identified that there are two halves of the church: the rational half and the relational half. When Christians only embrace the rational half, churches become unhealthy places where transformation doesn't last. God wants us to be in healthy communities, not just places of intellectual assent and doctrinal “rightness”.

6. TRAUMA TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS.  

6.1 GENERAL TRAUMA  

The Allender Center, Seattle School of Theology.
https://theallendercenter.org/
One of the best resources globally in trauma knowledge combined with theology, human psychology, and the truth of God’s good heart towards us. Many of their resource workshops are now available through online learning, in addition to their books and workbooks. Resourcing the church, individuals, students/academics in engaging trauma, along with personal story, with the latest learning/research regarding the effects of trauma. There are online courses, onsite courses, and podcasts available to facilitate understanding of trauma and its effects. Many other trauma therapists and podcasters refer back to the work of Dan Allender and colleagues.

All Nations Christian College Arts and Trauma Healing Course.  
https://www.allnations.ac.uk/courses/short-courses/arts-and-trauma-healing 

In partnership with Dallas International University (DIU), ANCC offers a holistic interactive approach, engaging Scripture within the healing process for people who suffer from the mental, emotional, and spiritual effects of trauma. It combines biblical truths with basic mental health principles expressed in ways that can be easily translated into other languages. This course will emphasize the importance of performing and visual arts in trauma healing. 

6.2 TRAUMA AND SEXUAL ABUSE  

The Allender Center, Seattle School of Theology.
https://theallendercenter.org/
Resourcing the church, individuals, students/academics in engaging trauma, along with personal story, with the latest learning/research regarding the effects of trauma. There are online courses, onsite courses, and podcasts available to facilitate understanding of trauma and its effects.

Healing the Wounded Heart - book
https://theallendercenter.org/store/products/healing-wounded-heart/
This second writing of Healing the Wounded Heart considers recent discoveries about the lasting physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual ramifications of sexual abuse. With great compassion, Healing the Wounded Heart offers hope for victims of rape, date rape, incest, molestation, sexting, sexual bullying, unwanted advances, pornography, and more, exposing the raw wounds that are left behind and clearing the path toward wholeness and healing. This for victims and those who walk alongside them.  

Healing the Wounded Heart - workbook
https://theallendercenter.org/store/products/healing-wounded-heart-workbook/
Designed for use in small groups, this companion workbook is designed to help personalise the material from Healing the Wounded Heart. The exercises laid out in this workbook are meant to prompt, stir, focus, and invigorate transformation to move forward. This workbook contains two sections: the first is for those who have been sexually abused and are choosing to take this life-transforming journey. The second section is a companion guide for spouses of abuse survivors who intend to do all they can to make this journey successful for their abused spouse and their marriage.  

Healing the Wounded Heart - course 
https://theallendercenter.org/offerings/online-courses/healing-the-wounded-heart/
Featuring 9 sessions with teaching from Dr. Dan Allender, powerful interviews with survivors, and a downloadable journal for deeper reflection, Healing the Wounded  Heart is an online course designed to support your journey and/or those with whom you journey toward restoration. 

The Biblical Counseling Coalition: https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2019/02/15/sexual-abuse-prevention-and-sexual-abuse-healing-and-hope-in-christ/

One in Four.
https://www.oneinfour.org.uk/
Supporting people who have experienced child sexual abuse and trauma. Various resources for survivors and professionals are available, including narratives and poetry from survivors.

6.3 STORY WORK  

To Be Told, The Allender Center, Seattle School of Theology.
Our stories, in all their beauty and heartache, shape and influence every dimension of our daily life and relationships. Knowing the impact of our story and finding God’s redemptive work within it, is vital for emotional, relational, and spiritual formation and health. Far too often, when the true impact of our stories of wounding and heartache go unaddressed, we find ourselves bound to unhealthy and unfulfilling patterns without hope for change. To Be Told is far more than  the popularized movement to “know your story.” It is an invitation to truth-telling, healing lament, deep soulfulness, and lasting change. To Be Told is at the core of The Allender Center’s foundational story work and theory. 

Online Course: https://theallendercenter.org/offerings/online-courses/to-be-told online-course/ 

Book and Workbook: https://theallendercenter.org/store/products/to-be-told/;  https://theallendercenter.org/store/products/to-be-told-workbook/ 

6.4 TRAUMA AND DISSOCIATIVE RESPONSES (DISSOCIATION AND DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDERS –  DID)  

Carolyn Spring – Reversing Adversity.
www.carolynspring.com
Information and training about trauma and hope for healing. A wide offering of live and online trainings, a podcast, blog, and a Facebook page. 

• Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors (PODS) Supporting Dissociative  Survivors; https://www.pods-online.org.uk. This can also be found through the main website, www.carolynspring.com 

• Podcast: https://www.carolynspring.com/media/ also found on iTunes under  “Conversations with Carolyn Spring” https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/conversations-with-carolynspring/id1434539820 

• Facebook page: Carolyn Spring - PODS 

Carolyn Bramhall – Heart for Truth.
www.heartfortruth.org/.
The vision is that every church would be actively engaged in embracing every single hurting person. Carolyn offers live Taster Days and a series of workshops to educate and train churches. She is personally invested in helping local churches in setting up “Truth Teams”, with Jesus at the centre and each hurting person as a valuable part of their personal Truth Team.  

7. ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACEs)  

Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences Early Trauma Online Learning. 
https://www.acesonlinelearning.com/
A free online introductory course for practitioners, professionals and volunteers who work with children, young people, and their families.  

8. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT & ADVICE AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING  

Press Red
https://pressred.org
Addressing the issues of gender-based abuse and violence in the UK and abroad.  

Pressing Red.
https://learn.redcliffe.ac.uk/courses/pressing-red/
An online course created for churches and church leaders in partnership with the former Redcliffe College, referencing material in Elaine Storkey’s book, Scars Across Humanity.

Restored Relationships.
www.restoredrelationships.org
An international Christian alliance working to transform relationships and end violence against women. Offering equipping and resource for individuals and churches. Included in their offerings:  

First Man Standing Campaign. https://www.restoredrelationships.org/what-we do/working-with-men/
Violence against women is not a women’s issue; it’s a human issue. If violence against women is to end, we need men to help challenge the attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate it – in themselves, and in other men. A movement for men to eradicate violence against women.

Jesus Said Love. https://jesussaidlove.com/
Founded in 2004 by worship leaders Brett & Emily Mills, this charity/ministry exists to awaken hope and empower change in the lives of those impacted by the commercial sex industry—including human trafficking. Their resources and materials will help equip others coming alongside victims of human trafficking and work with those in the supply-side of the sex industry/perpetrators through Stop the Demand Schools https://jesussaidlove.com/sds 

Man in the Mirror. https://jesussaidlove.com/mitm. Man In the Mirror Collective was formed by Brett Mills, co-founder of Jesus Said Love. It’s an initiative where men are making a difference in the current culture of domestic and gender-based violence by changing the culture and educating themselves and their sons around sexism, sexual assault, and misogyny. It’s about standing WITH women. 

9. ADDRESSING PORNOGRAPHY  

Click to Kick.
https://www.nakedtruthrecovery.com/home
This is an online support group for men & women wanting to overcome porn use & dependency. It is an 8-week course using professional, tried & tested models which has been developed by one of the UK’s leading experts in porn addiction. Click to Kick will give you the tools & support you need to find freedom from porn. 

Covenant Eyes.
https://www.covenanteyes.com/
What people do online affects their lives offline. Bridging the gap between technology and relationships, CE is an internet accountability site to equip people to protect themselves and their families from online dangers and encourage accountability and trust in the fight against Internet temptation. Located in Owosso, Michigan, Covenant Eyes is the pioneer of Internet and Screen  Accountability™ software, empowering members to maintain their online integrity. Over 100,000,000 Covenant Eyes accountability reports have generated 18 years of conversation-based accountability. Covenant Eyes is the most significant corporate force in cultural recognition of the public health crisis of pornography and sex trafficking.  

xxxchurch.
https://www.xxxchurch.com/
Porn addiction is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome, but XXXchurch is your resource online for pornography addiction help. Helping individuals struggling with online porn get free by connecting them to have open and honest relationships through our resources and accountability app so they can live in peace and say goodbye to porn forever. 

10. PODCASTS

All can be found through any podcast server (iTunes, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, etc.).

Listening to podcasts can reinforce previous training and support understanding of trauma and abuse. They are not a substitute for training but rather an enhancement to training and understanding.

• The Allender Center. Dr. Dan Allender and colleagues.  
https://theallendercenter.org/category/podcast/ https://podcasts.apple.com/gy/podcast/the-allender-center podcast/id936250143?mt=2
The mission of The Allender Center is to help people tell their stories of trauma and abuse with awareness and integrity, and to train them to listen to the stories of others with care, artistry, and skill so that they may foster redemption and healing in their lives by entering stories in ways that facilitate transformation and hope. This podcast features Dr. Dan Allender and his team engaging topics on healing and restoration through the unique intersection of theology and psychology.  

• The Place We Find Ourselves. Adam Young, LCSW, MDiv.  
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/adam-young/the-place-we-find-ourselves;  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-place-we-find-ourselves/id1373926216  This podcast features private practice therapist Adam Young (LCSW, MDiv) and guests as they discuss all things related to story, trauma, attachment, and interpersonal neurobiology. Adam and his guests unpack how trauma and abuse impact the heart and mind, as well as how to navigate the path toward healing, wholeness, and restoration. Interview episodes give you a sacred glimpse into the real-life stories of guests who have engaged their own experiences of trauma and abuse. Adam’s work is informed by Dr. Dan Allender and The Allender Center.  

• Jesus Said Love.
https://jesussaidlove.com/ https://jesussaidlove.com/podcast
Founded in 2004 by worship leaders Brett & Emily Mills, they exist to awaken hope and empower change in the lives of those impacted by the commercial sex industry and those caught in human trafficking. These podcasts address trauma and abuse and their affects at every level, as well as the impact of neglect, trafficking, poor parenting, and pornography/addiction on not only individual victims and communities, but also on the perpetrators. Can be raw, but it’s honest and highly informative.

• Faithwalking.
https://www.faithwalking.us/podcast/. Available through podcast servers. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithwalking.us 

• The Leaders Journey.
Led by Jim Herrington and Trisha Taylor, founders of Faithwalking, regarding the non-anxious leadership skills and spiritual formation tools needed as we bring wholeness to ourselves and communities.

• Sanctuary Mental Health
https://www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org/podcast/ and https://www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org/blog/

• Reversing Adversity - Caroline Spring.
As a survivor of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DiD), Caroline has devoted her life to helping others reverse the effects of trauma. Enhancing and reinforcing the information she teaches and shares, this podcast will help the listener more fully understand trauma, the accompanying effects, and a path of healing. She offers a biblical and therapeutic view of hope and healing. Also found on iTunes under “Conversations with Carolyn Spring”

• Mind and Soul Foundation.
www.mindandsoulfoundation.org.
Podcast found on  your favourite podcast provider.
iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/mind and-soul-podcast/id375680041 

11. CREATIVITY AND WELLBEING

There seems to be an explosion of communities of creativity that are also focused on wellbeing and connection, providing places of healthy processing. They don’t emphasise being “artists” so much as making space for everyone’s creativity, often tapping into the fun of being a “maker” that we all knew as children, allowing space to freely talk and process. There are podcasts, Facebook groups, Twitter groups, online interfaith groups, groups for all faiths and none. A few are included below to help jump-start the search (and fun), following the rabbit trail into other good resources.

Books – Getting Started

Healing Through Creativity, Fiona Horrobin.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healing-through-Creativity-Fiona-Horrobin/dp/1852408375

Drawing to God, Jeri Gerding.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drawing-God-Art-Prayer/dp/189373224X

Praying in Colour, Sybil MacBeth.
https://prayingincolor.com/

Social Media Groups

Creative(ish) Not A Bible Study Community.
Twitter: https://twitter.come/bible_na?s=21
It’s a new (ish) group with a Facebook presence as a private (but not closed/secret) group.

Community Groups

Varying by city and community; growing since the pandemic. Local artists are also involved in offering projects that can be used by faith and community groups.

Interfaith Groups

These are usually found in local communities, having developed around creativity and sharing life together. Although they’ve been frequented by women through the years men are now exploring them and talking about establishing their own.

Tools for conversational groups (often used in conjunction with creativity).

Table Talk. Games for Starting Conversations.
A game of conversations and important questions of life. There are 21 different conversational packs, available across ages. http://www.table-talk.org/ and https://uglyducklingresources.org/collections/table-talk

12. BOOKS ABOUT TRAUMA

The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma, Dr. van der Kolk (2015).
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748
In six years, this has become a masterpiece in explaining how trauma is buried in the body, mind, and brain. Dr. van der Kolk, one of the world's experts on traumatic stress, offers a bold new paradigm for treatment, moving away from standard talking and drug therapies and towards an alternative approach that heals mind, brain and body. Filled with solid research and the stories of patients, this book has become a reference for victims in healing, psychotherapists, massage and body-work therapists, and everyday people.

Surviving Trauma, Crisis, and Grief, Dr. Michelle J. Simpson (2020).
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Surviving-Trauma-Crisis-Grief-Practical/dp/1985055775
In an encouraging, personable and easy-to-read style, Michelle avoids professional jargon and writes in a way that makes the book easier for trauma sufferers to take in. Surviving trauma is a day-by-day journey, and often an hour-by-hour one, where every positive experience adds up to help the survivor along a journey where hope, joy, beauty, creativity, confidence and self-worth can be gradually restored and move them forward to a better place.

13. PRAYER AND HEALING RETREAT CENTRES  

Harnhill Centre of Christian Healing
www.harnhillcentre.org.uk
A gentle and well-administered centre for inner healing and prayer.

This page contains links and descriptions of websites which people in the Network have found helpful and which relate to loving all Muslims. This is by no means exhaustive. The inclusion of a link to an external website does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

From Nowhere to Network

Resources >Engaging Muslims> Engaging as groups > From nowhere to network

This fifteen minute conversation describes how a university dental lecturer got to know the Muslim students and started Christian/Muslim friendships and discussions.

A vicar meets his Muslim parishioners

Resources >Envisioning the Christian community> How churches can get involved > A vicar meets his Muslim parishioners

This twenty minute conversation describes how a vicar got involved with the Muslims in his parish - and encouraged his church to get involved too.

I didn't know any Muslims, but then.......(1)

Resources >Engaging Muslims> Engaging as individuals > I didn’t know any Muslims, but then…

This fifteen minute conversation describes how a couple got involved and are able to share their faith - and their home.

It mentions Nabeel Qureshi - you can find out about his books here

I didn't know any Muslims, but then.......(2)

Resources >Engaging Muslims> Engaging as individuals > I didn’t know any Muslims, but then…

This ten minute conversation describes how two women got involved and are able to share their faith.

It mentions Nabeel Qureshi - you can find out about his books here

Ten Ways to make Ten Friends from Unreached People Groups - right where you live

Resources >Engaging Muslims> Engaging as individuals > Ten ways to make ten friends

Jeannie Marie, author of Across the Street and Around the World, has written this excellent guide to taking some first small, strategic steps to make friendships with people from hard to reach countries who live right here among us. And these are steps you can take even during a pandemic!

Click here to email Jeannie for the guide - and she will send other helpful stuff too!

Jeannie Marie’s book, Across the Street and Around the World, is available from Amazon.

Welcoming Refugees

Resources >Envisioning the Christian community> How churches can get involved > Welcoming refugees

The following organisations can help you with advice and training in reaching out to refugees and asylum seekers:

Welcome Churches

Our vision is for every refugee in the UK to be welcomed by their local church. Whether your church is big or small, old or young, urban or rural, traditional or contemporary, there IS something you can do to join with our vision. No matter how refugees are arriving in your area, we want to help you to be a welcoming community for them. Click here for more information

Jubilee Refugee Network

Our vision is to see churches increasingly playing a major role in welcoming, loving and supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, both through practical action and as a voice for justice, so they can integrate, flourish and play a full part in society. This website has been set up to facilitate churches and individual Christians (of all denominations) to work effectively towards that vision.

Boaz Trust (Greater Manchester area)

The Boaz Trust works to end destitution amongst asylum seekers and refugees in Greater Manchester by providing safe accommodation and holistic support. Click here for more information

This page contains links and descriptions of websites which people in the Network have found helpful and which relate to loving all Muslims. This is by no means exhaustive. The inclusion of a link to an external website does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

Inviting Muslims to Church

Resources >Engaging Muslims> Engaging as groups > Inviting Muslims to church

Inviting Muslims to Church

Colin (Ted) Bearup

This concise booklet is based on real life experience of running guest services for Muslim friends in a pre-dominantly White-British church.

It discusses practical questions and the issues that arose among church members. As well as explaining the rationale, it gives two message outlines that have been used.

The booklet makes mention of another series which was used in the same church and refers to this webpage for more details. See “Inviting Muslims to Church Supplement”.

 The booklet is available here

Inviting Muslims to Church Supplement

Message Series Outlines

The Pillars of Islam series below is one that we have already used.

It is followed by some suggestions of other possible series that might be useful.

The Pillars of Islam

Background

Islam is often summarised under the headings of belief and the practice. The practices are often referred to as the five pillars. They are confession of faith, prayer, fasting, obligatory giving and pilgrimage. All of these have easily recognisable parallels in Christianity, even if we do not give much thought to pilgrimage these days. These parallels are not surprising. Initially Islam did not see itself a new religion but rather an updated and improved version of the religions that went before. Practices of this sort were highly visible manifestations of religious observance.

However, the object is not to conduct a history lesson but to speak Gospel truth within the conceptual framework that Muslims are familiar with and also to enable our church members to do the same. The Pillars shape what Muslims expect to find in other religions and inspire the questions they tend to ask of Christians. “How many times do you pray? When do you fast?” And so on.

Speaking about something as familiar as the Pillars gives Muslim a good reason to attend Christian worship with a friend. The basis of invitation is credible.  Addressing the Pillars enables the speaker to address the congregation about familiar themes from an unfamiliar angle, a useful exercise in itself. Rightly understood, all of our practices stem from the Good News we have in Christ.

 Although the Pillars refer to religious practices that are essentially familiar to us, Muslims give them unfamiliar Arabic labels, their own technical jargon. Using these terms in the invitations signals strongly that we are serious about communicating with Muslims.

The outlines below are ones which I have used. These are not the only possible ways of addressing the Pillars and on another occasion I might do it differently.

Expected length 30 minutes

Pillar Series 1: Shahada – the confession of faith

1. Explaining the meaning of shahada for our regulars.

It is a super-short creed. There is no God but God and Muhammad is his messenger.

All of Islam stems from this statement. It is recited in many different circumstances. It is used in worship, affirms their keys truths and marks boundaries.  If you say it you are Muslim. If you don’t you are not.

2. Is there a Christian shahada?

Display the typical fish sign. What does it signify? Supply the Greek. Supply its meaning and historical use.

The original Christian Shahada is found in scripture.

Read (and display) Philippians 2: 9-11 with “Jesus Christ is Lord” highlighted. Also, Romans 1:3-4 highlighting “Jesus Christ our Lord”. Then Romans 10: 9-10. Note the combination of believing and confessing that Jesus is Lord. 1 Cor 12:3.

3. Spelling out our original shahada

Jesus: flesh and blood man, born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth, son of virgin Mary

Christ: Messiah. (In Islam ‘al-Masih’ is known but not understood, a name not a title.) Explain what the title means.

The anointed one, God’s chosen ruler and saviour

The one promised and foretold through the prophets.

Is: present not past.

He is alive and active.

Present by his spirit.

He died and was raised. Death is behind him.

Lord: an ambiguous word then and now.

In today’s English ‘lord’ could signify a judge, a peer of the realm or God.

Back then, in Greek – sir, master, king, God.

The Phil 2:9-11 makes the meaning here plain: higher than every authority visible and invisible, the truly anointed one.

4. Implications and response.

Bring Phil 2:9-11 back to screen highlighting “every knee should bow, every tongue confess.”

Pillar Series 2: Namaz (Salaat) - Prayer

Note.

Namaz is the word that most of the Muslim world uses for the required prayers. It is derived from Persian. In the Arab and African worlds, the more correct Arabic word is used, sala or salaat.

1. The key elements of prayer in Islam

Timing, Direction, Posture, washing, Words = all prescribed, a pattern to be learned.

I used some standard images of the washing and the posture for the benefit of the church.

2. Christians speak of five types of prayer

Worship – acknowledging God

Thanksgiving expressing gratitude

Confession – admitting failings

Petition asking for one’s self

Intercession – asking for others.

In popular Christian usage, we tend to think of prayer as being primarily referring to the last two types, while not denying the others. Muslims tend to think primarily of the first type, worship. The set prayers are fundamentally an act of submission as an expression of worship. Muslims do also practise petition and intercession, but these are less prominent. Some also worship using devotional music.

Aside: Ask your Muslim friends what prayer means to them. Many will answer in terms of “Islam teaches …” but persevere and invite them to speak of their experience.

3. Jesus on prayer

Matthew 6:6-13

Read through and then review with comments.

Matt 6:5-6 Not like the hypocrites.

This is one reason our Muslims friends do not usually see us praying

Matt 6:7-8 Not like the pagans.

The power is not in the words, but in the hearer. Both Muslim and Christian groups sometimes act as if repeating certain words has more power with God, but Jesus warns against.

Matt 6:9-14 Pray in this way.

This is our core prayer taught by Jesus himself.

Note, first part is an expression of worship and submission.

Petition/intercession – about us, not just me.

4. Transition: The how of prayer.

It is said that everybody prays at some point, even atheists.

How you pray depends on the relationship you believe you have with God.

Four self-understandings

Unbelievers – hearts hostile to God – they demand, plead, bargain with God, then forget.

                So do weak believers.

Judaism – members of the chosen people – speak with liberty – but this status is not one we can choose.

Islam – slave of almighty God. Muslims see this as the truth about humankind. God is master, we are willing and obedient slaves. Therefore, they carefully follow detailed instructions. [Cf Luke 17:10?]

Christian self-understanding

Dependent child of loving father.

Implications of fatherhood – we can count on him, we have his attentions favour to be expected, times not fixed, words not scripted. We also have obligations.

5. How do we dare claim to be children of God? (greatness of almighty God)

John 1:12 and 13

(Provide a testimony of God’s kindness and personal involvement)

6. Questions & Conclusion

How do you see yourself before God? Which if these? Enemy, chosen, slave, child

We all need truth

As Christians, do we fully embrace what we have?

Do we commend it to others?

Pillar Series 3 Sawn/Fasting

This message intentionally uses a lot of scriptures, displayed on screen, mainly self-explanatory, making clear where our teaching comes from.

1. Fasting in Islam [for benefit of church and for contrast)

Best known – Ramadan, the month of fasting

Dates change on our calendar

Duration 29/30 days

Abstaining from food, drink, smoking, etc

Limited to daylight hours only.

An obligation to God, non-negotiable.

Not fasting has consequences (penalties)

Other fasting days to mention in passing:

Ashura 2 days, other optional days. For some traditions, Mondays and Thursdays.

Certain days fasting forbidden.

NB All Islamic fasting follows same pattern- always through daylight hours and abstaining from both food and drink.

Purpose of fasting in Islam. Some well-known sayings [the first is from the Quran the other two from the Hadith literature quoting Muhammad. Since I don’t want a discussion of sources, I don’t mention them.]

“Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous.” [Quran 2:183, but I don’t highlight the source]

“Fasting is a shield against hellfire.”

“Whoever spends the month of Ramadan in complete faith and self-rectification, his previous sins will be forgiven.” 

2. [Instruction to Christians]. Ask your Muslim friends about it.

When you ask your Muslim friends what fasting means to them, many will answer in terms of “Islam teaches …” but persevere and invite them to speak of their experience.

Be ready to speak of your own experience.

3. Jesus on Fasting

Aside – why Jesus on fasting rather than Bible?

Jesus not just one of many voices.

He is the saviour and Lord sent by God, bringer of the forgiveness that all seek.

He came for all peoples.

Jesus on fasting

Read Mat 6:16-18

Note “when you fast” written twice.  Jesus expected his people to fast. When? Matthew 9:14-15.

Return to Mat 6:16-18 highlight instructions – in secret – not obvious to others. Expected, not commanded. Purpose: draw near to God.

Mat 4:2 – Jesus fasted day and night from food (then he was hungry) a standard pattern for Christians. Jesus never commanded specific times to fast. We fast in response to his general instruction.

Did Jesus teach that fasting wipes away sin?

Read: Luke 18:9-14 the man who fasted and was not forgiven.

Fasting is a hardship. What does it achieve? Does the hardship of fasting wipe away sin?

1 Peter 3:18 Jesus suffered for us. This wipes away sin.

John 1:29 The Lamb of God for the sins of the world

Jesus on fasting summary

Expected his people to fast.

Never commanded fasting

Fasting not defined by set of laws.

Fasting does not wipe away sin – that is the work of Christ.

4. Conclusion

Comparison

Islam                                                                 Christian

Commanded                                                 Expected

Defined by laws                                           Not defined by laws

Often public                                                   Usually private

May wipe away sins                                   Does not wipe away sins.

Let is understand and respect each other.

Fasting is important and valuable discipline - practice it well.

Fast for God not for others.

Our No. 1 priority must be to be right with God.

Pillar Series 4: Zakat - Giving

Introduction: We will do this in four parts.

1. Zakat and giving in Islam

,               2. Tithing and giving for the Jews

                3. Tithing and giving in the way of Christ

                4. Responding to God the giver. 

Zakat: one of the Pillars – a non-negotiable obligation

Zakat is the obligation to give 2.5% of savings or surplus wealth once a year.

Applied to those that have wealth.

A matter of obedience, not generosity.

Rules govern who can and cannot be given to.

Zakat is often handled by governments.

Basis of zakat – All wealth is from God; Zakat belongs to God.

Rewards and punishments in this world and the next.

Zakat comes from word to purify – it purifies wealth.

Giving in Islam

Generosity & kindness commended, especially to the very poor.

Many promises of rewards for those who give generously. Applies to all, not just wealthy.

Tithing (Law of Moses)

The tithe – obligatory giving, 10% of produce, crops and livestock

The tithe belongs to God - Leviticus 27:30

Where does it go? Deuteronomy 14:28

Tithes – freely given, not enforced

Basis = all wealth is from God, the tithe belongs to God.

Rewards and consequences in this world only.

Malachi 3:8-10

Tithes and also offerings  e.g. Prov 19:17

3. Christian tithing

Not a tribe of Israel

Not under law of Moses

We tithe out of faith not because of law, not because we must but because we believe we can

“Put me to the test”

Jesus on giving (Mat 5:42-47) (Giving like God to the undeserving)

Be ready to give even to undeserving

                Why should we?

                God does!

4. God the giver

Sun and rain, life and health, ability to earn, success, plus much more.

Jesus said freely you have received freely give. Mat 10:8

He has given us so much more - Romans 6:23.

I don’t want to know how much you give. I want to know if you have received the gift God wants you to receive through Christ.

Mercy and Grace

                                Mercy not getting the punishment you do deserve

                                Grace getting the kindness and favour that we do not deserve.

Let us all make sure that we do not miss the grace of God.

Pillar Series 5. Hajj-Pilgrimage.

1. Introduction: The fifth Pillar – the Hajj.

1.What it is.

An obligation on every Muslim who has the means to visit Mecca in Saudi Arabia at a specific time of year and perform the set of rituals at least once in a life time.

Use images to give impressions of scale and grandeur (easily found online) – a huge event in life of Muslims.

2. Two key elements (anthropology helps us here)

A. Liminality – stepping out of normal life and into a special environment for a time. Even clothing changed. (Images re clothing)

B. Remembrance through re-enactment.

A+B = Seeking an experience of the holy.

3. Christian Pilgrimage

Never commanded in scripture.

Rather – pilgrim lifestyle commanded. (Display: 2 Peter 2:11, Mat 7:13-14, Colossians 3:1-2)

Middle ages – pilgrimage widely practised, always as something beneficial to believer rather than required by God.

Jerusalem, Rome, Canterbury, Many local sites in UK.

Protestant mistrust of pilgrimages

No place on earth truly holy

People defile holy places by what they do.

                Images of Jerusalem (Dome + churches + wailing wall)

Jeremiah 17:9-10

4. Some uncomfortable truths

No journey can purify the heart

No human effort can purify the heart

No ritual can purify the heart.

Only God can do that.

Remembrance through re-enactment.

What Christians are commanded to do? 1 Cor 11:23-26 (in stages)

Not just about us who have believed - Rev 5:9.

As Christians we affirm

·         That all need forgiveness from God

·         We all need our hearts cleansed

·         That God intervened in Christ to bring forgiveness and renewal of heart to all who will believe

·         That we are all commanded to remember and to live as pilgrims in this world.

Other Possible Series

1. The Six Beliefs

Islam has set of beliefs, each of which is a heading rather than a credal statement.

Muslims are required to believe in the Oneness of God, His angels, His books, His messengers the prophets, the Last day and the sovereignty of God.

That these headings might provide the basis for series is obvious. The challenge would be to keep it instructive to the church and constructive for the Muslim guests.

2. The Prophets

Muslims are taught to revere all the prophets. A range of Biblical characters are named as prophets in the Quran, but apart from Joseph, Abraham and Moses, they tend to have little knowledge of their stories. Muslims often assume that we know nothing of the prophets, that we only follow 1. Jesus. Messages telling the stories of individual prophets, what they teach us today and how they point to Christ should work very well. Those with the most potential would be Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Jonah and John the Baptist. The prophets who are unknown to Muslims, such as Daniel, Jeremiah and Isaiah may offer plenty of material but they have no power to attract.

3. The Miracles of Jesus

While Muslims speak readily of Jesus being only a prophet, they are also quick to affirm that he performed great miracles. They are not however acquainted with the stories or their significance. Surprising as it may seem, a series on the miracles of Jesus could be received as something appropriate for Muslims to attend. It would have to be sensitively presented in order to keep them involved. The Evangelists used the accounts to demonstrate that Jesus is the saviour sent by God without getting into confrontational credal language or necessarily tying every episode into the Cross.