I first came across the term “interfaith” decades ago when I was a teacher of religious and moral education. In those days the word tended to refer to the different kinds of dialogue and co-operation that existed between the various religions within the UK. My feeling is that this is still the most commonly understood meaning of the term “interfaith” today. We hear of various interfaith groups meeting locally and nationally; of dialogue between religious leaders; of worship services held and attended by people of different faiths; of campaigns involving people with shared interests from different faith communities. All this is well and good, but being an interfaith minister and being engaged in interfaith ministry has another meaning for me.

First of all, it is important for me to say that being an interfaith minister does not mean that I am an expert in all the religions of the world! Far from it. My training first as an RME teacher and latterly as an interfaith minister has certainly given me a general grounding in many religious traditions but I am not an expert. My main interest has been in the three western monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, but the older I get the less I feel I know! Certainly there are some OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation graduates who have considerable knowledge and experience of the religious and spiritual world, but the breadth and depth of such knowledge and experience will vary amongst my colleagues.

I would suggest that what matters to many of my OneSpirit colleagues is a desire to look to the “common ground” that exists within the various religions and spiritualities, and to give witness to the beauty and wisdom that lies at the heart of these traditions. Whilst we recognise the differences between - and within - various religions, differences that can often lead to strife and conflict, our desire is to focus on that which unites us, that which ultimately makes us all one with the One Source of All.

So the term “interfaith” for me means being aware of what unites different faiths as well as what divides them, and giving voice to those unifying elements. “Interfaith” means celebrating our unity and our diversity. “Interfaith” means upholding the one essence that underpins all traditions, and part of “interfaith ministry” means being alongside those who seek to do the same.

June 2023