Listening Abroad

Speaking of Religion

In July, I attended the annual meeting of the Baptist World Alliance (www.bwanet.org) in the beautiful Czech capital of Prague. During this meeting, 400 participants engaged in issues of evangelism, humanitarian need, defending human rights and theological reflection. It is difficult to summarize such a large event, as you tend to come home with more stories than you can tell in one sitting. For now, here is one story and my reflections about the experience:

One evening over pizza, I had a conversation with a young adult Baptist leader from Sierra Leone. He was tired from many days of travel, coming to Prague by way of Canada, where he spoke to North American Baptist peace activists about the challenges of rebuilding a life in his country after many years of civil strife and with many persons returning from refugee camps elsewhere in Africa (if they opted to return).

The conversation was enriching, given that I had heard very little about this country and its difficulties from the U.S. news media, which is far more attuned to the affairs of starlets and micro-analyzing political candidates on an hourly basis (or vice versa...). I listened to his frustrations about the prospects of rebuilding underway in his country as well as the faith that sustained him in his ministry.

This conversation reminds that while I am a U.S. citizen, I am part of a religious tradition that transcends (on its good days) national boundaries and ideologies. Through my faith tradition, I have kinship with a person whose first-hand accounts about rebuilding life from the ground up are more than just stories to share as sermon fodder on a lone Sunday morning. My colleague's stories create awareness that my own local faith community needs a global outlook, connecting one's faith mandates with local and global situations at hand.

Admittedly, participation in a religious faith can lead to a narrowing focus or a myopic desire for sectarian ends to be met. However, religion can also be the gateway for a person to develop a more responsible global awareness. One's religion can provide ethical formation about one's call to be part of the world. For example, the Baptist World Alliance encourages its member groups to meet the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals through its humanitarian work. The BWA is in the initial stages of participation in a Christian/Muslim dialogue. As part of a larger effort to build better understanding between religions, this dialogue is a peaceable witness contrary to the sentiment that Christianity and Islam are incapable of finding common ground, let alone respectful and frank dialogue.

As I think back to that night in Prague, with the wonderful pizza and the engaging conversation between two young adult Baptists from different corners of the world, it gives me hope for the future of Baptists as we move into a new way of looking at our place in the world. Evangelism, mission and more than a few good excuses for a potluck supper will continue to gather Baptists together. Adding the newer sensitivities of being a part of a global faith, one among the many, is the goal before Baptists today. Christians living the U.S. context will be well served to break bread with their brothers and sisters elsewhere and listen attentively. A reverent listening to the world's pain as well as a critical engagement with global issues would improve U.S. Christians, especially my fellow Baptists, greatly.

The Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot serves as the intentional interim minister of the First Baptist Church of Bennington, Vermont. On Sunday, August 24, 2008, he will share more about his Prague travels during the 9:30 morning service at First Baptist (601 Main Street). Correspond: fbpastor@sover.net