GlocalNet

Eboo and the others at Interfaith Youth Core

Hooray for Leadership Journal in their most recent issue!!!!  Rock on Marshal Shelley!!!! They have an article entitled “Ministry Lessons from a Muslim – His Unexpected Message to Church Leaders:  fully embrace your Christian Identity.”  This is the most “progressive” journal for Ministers in existence.  I both read it and have been in it, yet two things stand out to me in the title.  First, “a Muslim” – not Eboo.  This is probably the first time there has been an article about “a Muslim” and what he would say to Christian leaders.  Being the best magazine there is on “pastoring” in America, what does that say about our understanding the world, other religions, and our ability to communicate with one another?  The second thing is “embrace your Christian Identity” – as radical as that might sound – I hear that a lot around the world from my friends who are Muslim.  They believe that following Jesus as prescribed in the New Testament would be incredible. 

Eboo talks about four responses to our world of faith:

First, there are those who live in the bubble – they want only to be around people of their own religion and to communicate to each other.  The problem is, the bubble sooner or later always burst and people are left with no where to go.

Second, there are those who are barriers – they view religion as us against them and it’s all out competition.  This is why I talk about planting the seed of the Gospel and how it grows, and we don’t have to force it.  Any religion that has to be forced upon someone, through coercion or guns is destined to die sooner or later.  Truth doesn’t emanate from force, but thought.

Third, there are those who would bomb.  Terrorism and/or war is the way to move your religion forward and demolish others.

Fourth, there are those who would build a bridge.  The bridge would allow us to work, talk, communicate, and understand one another.  This is the hope of the future.  This is what Eboo is doing. 

I had, as I wrote in my last blog, an incredible visit with the team of Interfaith Youth Core!!  One thing is for certain, they all see a different world than the one their parents came from.  Whereas the parent wanted people to have their place in the public square – this generation wants to communicate and cooperate with them in the public square.  I don’t hear a lot of this from pastors I’m with – HOWEVER – you guys and gals headed to ministry that are in your late twenties and younger – DON’T GIVE UP HOPE – there are people just like you having conversations just like this all over the world – just not in faith.  Follow Eboo and IFYC – I believe it’s a safe and solid place to partner and engage – I’m going to! 

Download the article in pdf form here