(Artwork: © Scripture Union)’s new book
Distinctly Welcoming provides a clear, practical guide to the issues and challenges facing Christians in their engagement with those of other faiths.
As the
Foreword notes: “Britain … is slowly waking up to what it means to have an increasingly multi-faith identity.
“On the one hand, its new image is welcomed and used to the nation’s positive advantage: the face of multicultural Britain made all the difference, reportedly, to the nation’s successful Olympics bid, for example.
“However, on the other, the confusion about whether crosses or veils can or should be worn and the endless discussion about what it means to be British indicate that the nation is not as much at ease with its identity as some glossy presentations would have us believe.
“As people of faith, we long for Government and the public at large to recognise the extent to which faith is an essential part of everyday public life.
“But as the Chinese saying goes, when we point a finger of responsibility at someone else, three fingers point back at us…It’s time for Christians to work out how to behave in relationships with people of other faiths and how to work together in community for the good of all.”
Distinctly Welcoming is aimed at helping us to do just that.
Richard’s book is about how to move beyond assumptions, fears and stereotypes to engage graciously, hopefully and sensitively with other faith communities
Richard Sudworth(Photo: © CMS)A CMS mission partner who worked in North Africa, he's currently a consultant with Faith to Faith, an organisation that sustains a network of churches, individuals, etc, that are building relationships of trust and friendship with people of other faiths.
He works in a Muslim-majority area of inner-city Birmingham.
As one endorsement points out, “Richard Sudworth…is passionate, articulate, biblical and determined, and he brings to his subject the considerable fruit of many years of patient practice.
“This is a lively and well-paced book. Reading it will bring rich rewards … If you live in the 21st century, you must read this book.”
Richard hopes that the book will “encourage Christians to be good news in an age of religious bad news. People will welcome us as we become good news to all people in society.
“By being faithful to Christ, we can serve and bless all peoples.”
Distinctly Welcoming was launched in the Crowther Centre for Mission Studies, CMS House, Oxford, at 3 pm on Thursday 22 November 2007.
Buy Distinctly Welcoming onlinewww.distinctlywelcoming.com