An interfaith ministry refers to multiple religious groups partnering together in an organization or on a project. These can include a variety of Christian groups as well as those of Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist faiths and even atheists or other backgrounds. Many considerations determine what kinds of interfaith ministries are appropriate for Christians. While Christians are called to engage with the world, we cannot compromise faithfulness to God and the Gospel (John 17:15-18; Galatians 1:8-9). Partnerships that compromise biblical truth or equate Christ with other deities are never appropriate; Paul warned against believers being “unequally yoked” with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). Interfaith services or worship including prayer is also inappropriate (1 Corinthians 10:21). Interfaith cooperation for practical aid—such as helping the poor, caring for orphans, or providing disaster relief—can be acceptable, provided the message of Jesus remains uncompromised (Matthew 25:35-40; 1 Peter 3:15). These types of interfaith ministry efforts meet urgent human needs and can offer opportunities to witness God’s love and point others toward eternal hope in Christ (Matthew 5:16).
If you’re a real juice lover, you probably pass by the containers that say “from concentrate.” Adding water fills the container, but the juice doesn’t taste as good. Diluting biblical truth has much more serious consequences. But that’s what can happen when Christians partner with interfaith ministries. For instance, some organizations promote universal salvation or worship a person or god that is the true God. Light should not partner with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).
The key issue in any interfaith connection is whether the partnership would compromise key biblical convictions. For example, a Christian group would not share in a prayer gathering with a Muslim or Mormon group (since each group would be praying to a different God). A Christian group would also not want to be officially affiliated with a group whose name might communicate the wrong message or a group that requires signing of certain agreements that would require the Christian group to hire people who disagree with the Christian faith. Christian groups would also not want to be legally prevented from sharing the good news of Jesus with those they serve.
But we can do what is biblically permitted. For instance, many interfaith ministries are designed to provide practical aid to people, such as fighting against human trafficking or providing disaster relief. Every person needs food, water, clothing, and shelter. Christians should feel free to work together with people of any faith or no faith at all to meet these basic human needs. That fits with the Christian biblical ethic (James 2:14–17); resources are limited, so it is sometimes wise for Christian groups to join with others in seeking to provide aid. At the same time, even in providing that aid, the message of the Gospel is not to be compromised.
In addition to serving people in need, such partnerships can impact unbelievers to consider or reconsider the good news of Jesus. Jesus taught, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14–16). Sometimes our efforts to meet needs, and to do so in partnership with others, can serve as an evangelistic outreach. Showing our love for others in tangible ways may help them see and accept the love of God.
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