Church Times - General Synod to debate evangelising other faiths

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General Synod to debate evangelising other faiths

25/05/2008 13:00:00

A private members motion about evangelism amongst those of other faiths is set to be debated at the Church of England General Synod. The motion, from Paul Eddy, has the support of the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali. Many bishops are strongly opposed and have apparently urged Mr Eddy to desist. The text of the motion is as follows:

'That this Synod request the House of Bishops to report to the Synod on their understanding of the uniqueness of Christ in Britain's multi-faith society, and offer examples and commendations of good practice in sharing the gospel of salvation through Christ alone with people of other faiths and of none.’

There are a number of news reports about this today:

Jonathan Petre, now writing for the Daily Mail: Church is not doing enough to convert UK Muslims, says bishop
BBC: Church to debate convert motion
Libby Purves's Faith Central: There are many ways up the holy mountain? Not for Paul Eddy
The issue was discussed on the Sunday programme on Radio 4 - there isn't a specific link to the individual item yet.
A story about the motion appeared in various places in Autumn 2006. See for example the Daily Telegraph: C of E 'shies away' from converting others

Bank Holiday Monday update:

The Telegraph has: Church of England row over Muslim conversion
George Pitcher's blog: The Church needs HR, not marketeers
Damian Thompson's blog: Bishops battle it out over Muslims

Private members motions are debated at General Synod if 100 Synod members 'sign' the motion to say they would like it to be debated. The list of private members motions is here on the General Synod website.

Paul Eddy, who has tabled the motion, is training to be a priest and runs a public relations consultancy. Clients include Lydia Playfoot's Purity Ring and the UCCF.

Should the Church of England discuss this issue, or would such a debate be counterproductive? Have your say in the comments below.

I fail to see the news item here. Christianity is a missionary faith. It has sought, since its beginning, to bring any and everyone,of all faiths and none to faith in Jesus. Islam is itself a missionary faith and many of the Muslims I am familiar with have no problem with the Church seeking to be faithful to its mission and message,and I don't have a problem with Muslims seeking to make converts. Real tolerance consists in having real and significant differences but still being respectful.

Adam | 25/05/2008 14:43:57

The news is the fact there are bishops urging him NOT to table the motion. Is that the actions of a missionary faith?

Jo | 25/05/2008 17:39:30

If I understand it right I believe that in this country proseletysing (sp?) of those of a specific faith is illegal, although general proseletysm is fine. Do correct me if I am wrong, but I think it does have a bearing on the Islam vs Christianity mission front.

Tiffer | 25/05/2008 20:17:00

Could you explain "laying on the table" in the CoE -for US readers it means to stop talking and voting on it - either for a "time certain" or forever.

Ann | 26/05/2008 15:07:44

Ann, Yes, it is a confusing phrase. http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/lay+on+the+table might or might not help. I think we generally mean the opposite to your understanding - if something is 'on the table' it is being discussed or thought about. I think your Presiding Bishop mentioned the same thing the other day in her press conference didn't she?

Dave | 26/05/2008 15:15:07

It doesn't really matter what happens here. The fact is - most Christians live in the global South and don't take too kindly to the Western liberal attitude. The future may even be that the West comes to see Christianity being just as alien as Islam. Why don't we let the Christians who are predominantly global Southerners make the decisions about their faith and relations to others, instead of hogging all the funds and acting like it's the 19th century in Europe?

Alex | 26/05/2008 19:42:38

Three observations:

The motion sounds like a tricky essay question to me - designed to catch the respondent out!

It is a closed question with the (implied) answer contained within it - very bad practice!

My Dad always told me not to ask questions unless you are sure you want to hear the answer...

ellen | 27/05/2008 14:04:27

There's nothing tricky about it. Affirming the uniqueness of Christ?? If the Church can't stand up and say that Jesus is Lord and that he is the world's only hope then we have absoultely nothing to give the world except mild, inoffensive religiosity. His other request for the sharing of good pactice is a thoroughly sensible idea! I think this motion is more significant than most people realise.

Adam | 28/05/2008 12:13:40