Episode 63

#63. Urban Ministry for 2023: At the Table with Muslims and Christians—Conversation without Compromise, the Al-Ma’idah Initiative

James Rayment unpacks what how Muslims and Christians can have conversation without compromise and build relationships despite fundamental disagreements. These dialogues stand in stark contrast to perennial accusations of cancel culture in America.

James Rayment pushes back on some common misconceptions that Protestants have about Muslims, outlining four steps that churches can take to get to know Muslim people in their neighborhoods.

The Al-Ma’idah Initiative hosts events and trains churches to do the same; it is an unapologetically Christian organization.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

How Food Can Be a Catalyst for Relationship Building
4 Practical Tips for Churches to Host Dinners during Ramadan
About a Common Error that Protestant Christians Make When Talking to Muslims

FEATURED BONUS:

How Can Christians Reach Out to Muslims During Ramadan?

ABOUT THE GUEST:

James Rayment has been building relationships with Muslims in Seattle and around the world since 2012. As a result of this ministry he founded the Al-Ma’idah Initiative, a Christian nonprofit.

The organization educates and equips local Christians to engage with individuals in the city’s Muslim community. Members of the local church are better able to understand and communicate with Muslims on a range of issues. His goal is to facilitate genuine friendships without shying away from the exclusivity of Jesus’ message. The Al-Ma’idah Initiative is an unapologetically Christian organization.

God is the one who changes hearts and minds. Through the Al-Ma’idah Initiative, there's no coercion or reason to cancel someone despite sharp disagreement — genuine friendships can and do start at the table. Christians simply represent what they believe to be true and show hospitality.

SCRIPTURE RELATED TO EPISODE:

Matthew 26-28; Jesus’ Death and Resurrection

Psalm 72; God’s Vision for the Muslim World

TIMESTAMPED SHOWNOTES:

02:21 - From England to Having a Family in Seattle

04:18 - Catalyst for Al-Ma'idah Initiative

07:52 - Who Wants to Visit Church with Us?

08:40 - Muslims’ Openness to Spiritual Conversations

09:56 - Taking People and Ideas Seriously

11:48 - So as a Christian, What Do You Believe?

11:57 - How did Jesus Escape from the Cross?

12:57 - Literally Putting the Cards on the Table

13:44 - 4 Practical Tips for Churches to Get Started

15:55 - Leading By Example

16:34 - How Hearts and Minds Change

17:00 - Before Hosting a Meal

17:17 - God Has Work to Do in the Muslims World

19:33 - A Free and Fair Arena for Ideas

20:27 - Main Error that Protestant Christians Make in Interacting with Muslim People

25:31 - A Joke for Ramadan

DID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST?

Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.com

Our Urban Voices