The General Synod of the Church of England is being urged to debate whether parishioners should try to convert Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and those of other faiths to Christianity.
A controversial Private Members Motion from a new Synod member has the potential to be explosive should the required 100 Synod members give it their support, which would lead to a debate on the matter.Paul Eddy, 39, a public relations consultant from Bournemouth, and a lay representative for the Winchester Diocese, has this week tabled his motion which is displayed on the Church of England website.
"To date, the Bishops and the Synod, have shied away from publicly declaring where the Church of England stands on evangelism amongst other faiths, and nowhere in its Mission Shaped Church strategy, or Fresh Expressions campaign, is mission to Muslims, or others, mentioned," tells Eddy.
He has called for Synod to request the Bishops report back on "their understanding of the uniqueness of Christ in Britain's multi-faith society, and offer examples and commendations of good practice in sharing the gospel of salvation through Christ alone with people of other faiths and of none".
"My Muslim friends say they can't understand why we Christians don't evangelise more, especially as they have a strategy to convert Britain," Eddy explained.
"In every debate I've heard at Synod so far, we keep talking about mission in a vacuum to the realities of modern Britain today. Either the Church of England believes that everyone needs to hear the Christian message about sin and repentance, and the need to follow Christ or, just people who don't have another faith to follow. Either the cross of Jesus was for everyone, or no-one.To date, the Bishops and the Synod, have shied away from publicly declaring where the Church of England stands on evangelism amongst other faiths, and no-where in its Mission Shaped Church strategy, or Fresh Expressions campaign, is mission to Muslims, or others, mentioned.
Paul Eddy, Lay Representative from Winchester Diocese
"It's no good saying every church should adopt a 'Fresh Expression' of mission, but exclude those whose parishes are 95% full of people of other faiths."
Eddy concluded, "The Church of England needs to regain confidence in the God it professes to believe in, and a new confidence in the Gospel it should be proclaiming. And that starts with a clear steer from the Bishops."
The lay representative has said that over the summer he has gained the support of 80 Synod members, including some bishops, and now that his motion is on the Church of England website, hopes a further 20 will sign up.
If he gets his 100 votes, the Business Committee of General Synod will have to decide when a debate will be held, and the motion put to the vote.
