Communio Messianica Position on MBB-Church Relations

Background

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

While there are Christian communities in most Muslim-majority countries, they often do not enjoy equality with Muslims as citizens. This inequality arises from varying levels of the application of Dhimmitude laws as prescribed by Shariah. MBBs find themselves in a distinct category, often classified as Murtads in Arabic, facing prosecution, imprisonment, and even the death penalty for their faith. Consequently, traditional churches in the Muslim world are at risk for accepting MBBs, leading to both prosecution and persecution. This dynamic has, unfortunately, created unnecessary tensions between traditional churches and MBBs.

However, there are limited instances where harmony has been established between MBBs and traditional churches, particularly in countries where the national constitution is either secular or guarantees religious freedom.

Moreover, MBBs in the Diaspora can more easily integrate into local churches or form their own communities. In these settings, MBBs play a crucial role in educating Christian congregations about Islam, writing about the Islamic worldview from a Biblical perspective, and effectively using media to reach out to Muslims worldwide with the message of Christ.

Impact on Muslim-Background Believers

As a result of these challenges, MBBs in predominantly Muslim countries are often compelled to conceal their newfound faith from family, friends, society, and official authorities. They typically form home groups to worship together. Thanks to media outside the Muslim world, the concept of the "virtual church" is gaining traction, alongside discipleship programs designed to deepen understanding of the Bible and foster growth in the Christian life.

Living under the shadow of prosecution and persecution, MBBs grapple with their sense of identity. This makes discipleship programs and the formation of small groups crucial for their spiritual development. They often long for the possibility of reform within the Muslim world, where their embrace of Christianity can be viewed as legitimate.

CM Position on MBB-Church Relations

The long-term position of CM is to achieve full harmony with historical and traditional churches within the Muslim world, fostering a singular, integral community within the Body of Christ. In the interim, a roadmap of specific steps must be developed to facilitate this goal. Traditional churches have a significant role in supporting MBBs as they fully embrace the Christian life, while MBBs can offer valuable insights into the structure of Islam. Joint initiatives aimed at promoting religious liberty will be essential.

Recommendations

CM is committed to working on a case-by-case basis towards the long-term goal mentioned above. CM must collaborate with local MBB communities and churches to facilitate progress in this direction. Specific opportunities and barriers should be explored, and lessons learned need to be shared on both regional and global levels.

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