Bearing Witness

One of the issues raised in opposition to interfaith dialogue by evangelical Christians relates to their desire to continue to bear witness to their faith. They wonder, "How can I share my faith with people who follow other religions if I engage in dialogue with them?"

The Christian Muslim Forum has proposed a set of guidelines that address this. The guidelines are:

1) We bear witness to, and proclaim our faith not only through words but through our attitudes, actions and lifestyles.
2) We cannot convert people, only God can do that. In our language and methods we should recognise that people’s choice of faith is primarily a matter between themselves and God.
3) Sharing our faith should never be coercive; this is especially important when working with children, young people and vulnerable adults. Everyone should have the choice to accept or reject the message we proclaim and we will accept people’s choices without resentment.
4) Whilst we might care for people in need or who are facing personal crises, we should never manipulate these situations in order to gain a convert.
5) An invitation to convert should never be linked with financial, material or other inducements. It should be a decision of the heart and mind alone.
6) We will speak of our faith without demeaning or ridiculing the faiths of others.
7) We will speak clearly and honestly about our faith, even when that is uncomfortable or controversial.
8) We will be honest about our motivations for activities and we will inform people when events will include the sharing of faith.
9) Whilst recognising that either community will naturally rejoice with and support those who have chosen to join them, we will be sensitive to the loss that others may feel.
10) Whilst we may feel hurt when someone we know and love chooses to leave our faith, we will respect their decision and will not force them to stay or harass them afterwards.

In my mind, the single most important statement in these guidelines is one that most witnessing faiths overlook. Satement 2 places the whole conversion process as a God thing. Our statements, techniques, or approaches may be helpful for someone to hear, but no human is the agent of conversion, despite claims made by many. The entire faith enterprise is God's bailiwick.

Having been "witnessed to" by any number of people from different faith or theological understandings, I wish more folks would adhere to these guidelines.