In this edition
This fourth issue of The Oxford Journal for Intercultural Mission focuses on South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM), observed every year from 18 July until 17 August.
How well equipped are we to communicate cross-culturally and to welcome those into our churches who come from different ethnic and religious backgrounds? If we are to be relevant, we need to increase our cultural competence. It is our hope that the articles here will facilitate such competence, understanding of the issues involved, and challenge and inspire us in taking positive action towards our intercultural mission.
- Karamat Iqbal opens the issue with a celebration of the South Asian Christian community. Starting with his own story – birth in Azad Kashmir in a Muslim community, arrival in the UK and conversion to Christianity – he provides the historical and present context of the South Asians in the church.
- Chris Binder reminds us that over the past two hundred years the context for mission has changed significantly as the global church has grown. Three descriptors of mission can help as we navigate the changes: going, welcoming and journeying together. As we go and as we welcome, we should seek to develop relationships of genuine mutuality, learning from those who are not like us, if we are to more fully demonstrate the realities of God’s kingdom to the watching world.
- Neil Masih provides an autobiographical perspective in focusing on the culturally diverse church. He also features the experiences of two people from UKME/GMH backgrounds attending church, and how this has enriched their faith and brought them joy. He also provides insight into his work in the context of annual dates such as South Asian Heritage Month and the Black History Month, as a way to celebrate the global church.
- Tim Chilvers points out the superdiversity of his community, the city of Birmingham. His article explores some of the ways Riverside Church, that he leads, has tried to learn, adapt and grow as it aims to serve the city. In recent years, the church has made some conscious changes to better reflect its city, whilst trying to show the city the love of Christ.
- Martyn Snow describes becoming more conscious of the significance of his Whiteness, the efforts within the Church of England to achieve greater racial justice, and the intercultural approach taken in the Diocese of Leicester. He lays out three principles to Intercultural Gift Exchange and three traits which undergird them, and which are crucial in addressing Whiteness in the Anglican Church – humility, de-centring and curiosity.
- Karamat Iqbal reminds us of the diversity of our world, which is now a normal part of our lives both here in the UK and throughout the world. Given the linguistic diversity amongst our fellow citizens and congregations, the question he poses is How should the church respond; should the majority learn the minorities’ languages? He provides examples of those who have already taken this step.
- Azita Jabbari points out that Christ-followers from Muslim backgrounds sometimes struggle to feel at home in British churches. She shares from her own story, and highlights the Joining the Family resource. This course is designed to help churches understand and respond to the needs of those in their midst from Muslim backgrounds, but also helps churches benefit from the blessing and gifts that these precious sisters and brothers bring.
- Nigel Rooms outlines how the Diocese of Birmingham commissioned, developed and launched Two-way Street, an intercultural learning resource for churches. Some of the challenges of co-creating a resource in the world of intercultural church are explored. The approach and content of Two-way Street is explained, and this free resource is commended to the reader.