Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Our Christian Church has been talking
about becoming active in interfaith dialogue, what might we do as a
first step?
A:
I have helped a number of groups find a path that suits their
personality and needs and would be happy to visit with you or your
leadership team about some of those experiences. In brief, I have
found congregations tend to follow one of 3 or 4 paths in their
interfaith journey.
Some churches want more internal processing time and studying a book
about another religion(s) is a comfortable avenue.
Others want some limited interaction; often in the form of visits to
other religious communities (which is most productive after some
serious preparation for the differences sojourners will encounter).
A few congregations want to investigate the possibility of a
covenant relationship with another tradition (and over the past 2
years I have been helping build and nurture such relationships).
Justice advocacy and world issues are another way to learn about the
"other" through shared mission. The
Millennium
Development Goals are one way for people of many faiths, ethnic
origins, and cultures to talk about common human dignity and needs
and collaborate to pursue justice in our world.
