wfn.org | Arab, Middle Eastern Lutherans Gather to Discuss Outreach

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 21, 2001

ARAB, MIDDLE EASTERN LUTHERANS GATHER TO DISCUSS OUTREACH
01-300-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- About 100 Arab and Middle Eastern missionaries
and ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod came together to discuss
outreach within the Muslim community in the United States.  "Time of
Crisis, Time of Opportunity" was a conference the churches hosted
Oct. 22-23 in Detroit.
     In a series of presentations and Bible studies, participants
explored the "value" of Lutheran outreach and the "ministry
challenges" many Arab and Middle Eastern ministers and missionaries
face following Sept. 11, when terrorists destroyed the World Trade
Center in New York City and damaged the Pentagon near Washington,
D.C.  Participants also focused on training missionaries to work with
media and news organizations.
     The American people face both social and economic crises, said
the Rev. Richard A. Magnus, executive director, ELCA Division for
Outreach.  "Real and perceived threats have resulted in an
environment of fear and mistrust which has manifested itself in many
ways," he said.
     "As Christians, it is our duty to reach out and provide help,
friendship and shelter to our Muslim neighbors.  To accomplish this,
we must first identify the crisis that Muslims in America face.  Only
then can we recommend the various ways and means of reaching out to
this community and use this as a 'Time of Crisis, Time of
Opportunity,'" Magnus said.
     "The average American believes that all Middle Eastern people
are Muslims," said the Rev. Bassam J. Abdallah, First United Lutheran
Church, Hammond, Ind.  Abdallah, consultant for Arab and Middle
Eastern ministries, ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries,
delivered a presentation on fears faced by ethnic-specific churches
after Sept. 11.
     "We have not educated our congregations correctly about Islam.
In order to teach, we must understand Islam first.  We must
understand the tradition and know where the gaps of faith are.  What
is lacking in Islam is the true understanding of Jesus Christ,"
Abdallah said in an interview.
     The "average American" has "forgotten that Christianity was
born in the Middle East, although the number of Christians there are
minimal.  We make up less than eight percent of the 280 million
people in the Middle East.  Nevertheless, we are still strong in the
faith," Abdallah said.
     "There are many reasons why people from the Middle East migrate
to other places in the world.  [Reasons] include economic, political
and religious persecution," Abdallah said.  "When they arrive on
these shores, they bring with them their faith.  It is incumbent upon
churches, all churches -- ELCA in particular -- to welcome [Middle
Eastern] immigrants, to make them feel at home in the church."
     Funding for the conference was provided by Aid Association for
Lutherans, a fraternal benefits society based in Appleton, Wis.,
Lutheran Brotherhood, a fraternal benefits society based in
Minneapolis, ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries and ELCA
Division for Outreach.

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