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Communio Messianica's Position on MBB-Church Relations

Background

Communio Messianica (CM) is a vital response to the growing phenomenon of Muslims embracing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This movement has led to the rapid growth of large communities of believers coming from a Muslim background (known as MBBs) throughout the Muslim World and among Muslim immigrants in the West.

While there are Christian communities in many Muslim-majority countries, they often do not enjoy the same rights as their Muslim counterparts due to varying applications of Dhimmitude laws as prescribed by Shariah. MBBs are placed in a precarious position as reverts (known as Murtads in Arabic), facing potential prosecution, imprisonment, and even death. Consequently, traditional churches within the Muslim world hesitate to accept MBBs, fearing both prosecution and persecution. This has led to unnecessary tensions between the traditional church and MBBs. However, there are limited instances where harmony has been established, particularly in countries with either a secular constitution or guaranteed religious freedom.

Furthermore, MBBs in the Diaspora often find it easier to join local churches or establish their own communities. In these settings, MBBs play a significant role in educating Christian congregations about Islam, writing about it from a Biblical perspective, and effectively using media to share the message of Christ with Muslims worldwide.

Impact on Muslim-Background Believers

As a result of the challenges highlighted, MBBs in Muslim-majority countries often feel compelled to keep their newfound faith a secret from family, friends, society, and official authorities. They frequently form home groups to worship together. Thanks to resources from outside the Muslim world, the concept of the “virtual church” has gained traction, along with discipleship programs designed to deepen their understanding of the Bible and the intricacies of the Christian life.

Living in constant fear of prosecution and persecution, MBBs grapple with their sense of identity. This is where discipleship programs and small group formations become crucial, as they long for a reform in the Muslim world that acknowledges their embrace of Christianity as legitimate.

CM Position on MBB-Church Relations

The long-term position of CM is to foster full harmony with the historical and traditional churches in the Muslim world, striving to form one integral community within the Body of Christ. In the interim, a roadmap consisting of specific steps must be devised to achieve this goal. Traditional churches can play a pivotal role in guiding MBBs toward fully embracing the Christian life, while MBBs can provide valuable insights into the structure of Islam. It is essential that joint efforts are made to advocate for religious liberty.

Recommendations

CM is committed to working on a case-by-case basis toward the long-term goal of unity expressed above. It is crucial for CM to collaborate with local MBB communities and traditional churches to facilitate progress in this direction. Specific opportunities and barriers must be identified, and the lessons learned should be shared on both regional and global levels to enhance understanding and cooperation.

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