Towards a framework for a contextualized Muslim ministry in Salamex : a case study

Abstract

The Christian church exists for a mission. However, the attempts made by Christians and the Seventh-day Adventist Church to reach Muslims have not been relatively successful because of the historical, political, military, cultural, and doctrinal frictions between the two Abrahamic faiths across the centuries. There needs to be awareness and contextualization of these elements. Consequently, there are unentered Muslim territories because of hostility toward any open attempts to convert Muslims to Christianity. Further, literature shows a dearth of studies that have developed a framework for contextualized Adventist-Muslim ministry. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a distinctively Seventh-day Adventist framework for Muslim ministry as a guide for contextualized ministry in Salamex. To address the research gap, a qualitative case study was conducted. A purposeful sample of 23 participants was selected. The data were collected through in-depth

interviews and a focus group discussion. The transcribed interviews and focus group discussion served as valuable primary data for the study. In addition, relevant documents were examined for triangulation. To code and classify codes representing themes in the context, for data analysis, I worked with HyperResearch qualitative data analysis software. From the data analysis, 13 main themes emerged: change of heart, community relationship, methods of witnessing, Muslim behavior toward contextualized members, Muslim-background Adventists’ practices, global mission pioneers, discipleship, Muslim-background Adventists’ fundamental knowledge, identity, worldview, administrative structure, challenges, and opportunities. The outcomes of this study revealed that the context in Salamex presents a spectrum, from very conservative Muslim communities to open communities. Conversion or change of heart happens and different methods are applied. Furthermore, the participants’ understandings of contextualized ministry were confused. However, the participants kept both Adventist and Islamic beliefs and practices. Moreover, the study revealed challenges and opportunities for contextualized Adventist-Muslim ministry in Salamex. Therefore, these findings supported strong recommendations to Seventh-day Adventist Church administrators and practitioners and for further research. This study’s findings had several important implications for future contextualized Muslim practice.