The Connectional Church

Jesus prayed for his followers, “that they may all be one … so that the world may believe” (John 17:21). If we, Middle Eastern Christians in the United States, are to be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ, then we have to be “one.” Unfortunately, the present reality of Middle Eastern Christians in United States is not that of unity, but fragmentation. We tend to huddle in disconnected and isolated small congregations scattered throughout the country. The result is subdued witness.

According to the Arab American Institute, about 75 percent of Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States are Christians. Yet, in the larger American society most people assume that Christians are a minority, not only in the Middle East, but also a minority among Middle Eastern Americans.

There may be several reasons for this prevailing false perception. Undoubtedly, however, one of the factors is the disconnectedness of Middle Eastern churches throughout the country, which in turn leads to inability to affect change, to proclaim the message of the Gospel, to be witnesses for Christ. The faith of Middle Eastern Christians has become a privately-held belief, rather than a proclamation (in word and deed) that is relevant to all aspects of human life and society.

The Church in God’s design is connectional — one body, with all parts joined together and working together in harmony. We cannot be the Church of Jesus Christ if we cling onto a mindset that is provincial, parochial or insular. We will not be effective witnesses if we narrowly focus on our own situation or our local settings.

It is my deep conviction that as Christian Middle Eastern immigrants throughout the United States, we need to become more intentional about fostering communion among our congregations, and take the initiative to participate in the life of the larger one body of Christ. The purpose of the stories on this page is to connect Middle Eastern Presbyterians throughout the United States and to proclaim the witness of these faithful communities of believers.

—Amgad Beblawi