Missions involvement and interfaith relations: Forming pathways of commonality

Abstract

The reality of an ever-accelerating globalization, accompanied by an expanding religious pluralism, presents significant challenges to many long-enduring concepts of doing missions. This article will focus on identifying some of those challenges and offering some possible options for ongoing missions involvement. Particular attention will be given to the potential of melding missions practices with the nurturing of interfaith relationships with the prospect of forming covenants of commonality. It is our premise that continuing interfaith conversations will break down barriers of misunderstanding and facilitate the growth of mutually compatible relationships across delicate cultural and religious boundary lines. Within the context of these developing cross-faith relationships, probable new opportunities for effectual missions ministry will emerge. In developing this article, we will draw from multiple sources, including published works by notable scholars of missiology, theology, ethics, and sociology. Songs, hymns, poems, and prayers will provide helpful illustrations. Additional material will come from real-life interfaith interchanges and from our personal experiences while serving as missions practitioners in West Africa and Eastern Europe.