People don’t want to hear simple answers to complex problems – but they do need to hear affirmation of the basic truths of the faith: that Christ loves us and is with us in difficult times; that God is ultimately victorious over evil; and that God hears our prayers.  Many people continue to live in fear, and these core beliefs speak to those fears.  People need to be reminded that courage is not the absence of fear but doing the right thing in spite of fear.

People need opportunities to discuss their fears and anxieties about terrorism.  Encourage classes and groups to begin with a time for the sharing of joys and concerns.  The need for this kind of sharing exists for children, youth, and adults.  The sharing time shouldn’t be introduced as a focus on terrorism or fear but rather as an open time in which people can raise whatever joys or concerns they have.

Provide opportunities for people to learn about the Islamic faith and to have contact with Muslims.  There are six to ten million Muslims in North America and perhaps a billion around the world.  We need to understand their faith and to recognize how thoroughly the extremists have perverted that faith in using it as justification for violence.  Churches can be wonderful forums for such study and contact.

Churches need to be concerned about the actions of others toward Muslim people in North America and around the world.  We need to raise questions about military actions which harm civilians and about the circumstances under which people are detained for questioning.  Being a true patriot means expecting the very best from other citizens and from political and military leaders.

Offer classes on hospitality, which has the power to transform how we feel about God, other people, and ourselves.  Resources like Hospitality: Life in a Time of Fear and Widening the Welcome of Your Church can help in that process. 

Let people in the community know about programs in the church on understanding the Islamic faith, dealing with fear, and practicing hospitality.  Use positive publicity so that those outside the church know what the congregation offers.

Use e-mail to share weekly devotions with members and nonmembers.  Speak to issues of faith, fear, and hospitality in those devotions.  Encourage prayers for world leaders, for those harmed by the events of September 11, 2001, for other victims of terrorism, and for the impoverished people of Afghanistan and the world.

Offer children, youth, and adults opportunities to raise money to help others and to practice kindness.  People focused on doing positive things are less likely to be overwhelmed by the negative.

The above exercise is adapted from the book Hospitality: Life in a Time of Fear by Steve Clapp and Fred Bernhard.  That book has just been released and is an extensive revision of their earlier Hospitality: Life without Fear.  The revision reflects the ways in which September 11 affects all of our lives.

The book Life Lessons by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler (Simon & Schuster, ©2000) is not available from New Life Ministries but can be found on Amazon.com and in most bookstores.

New Life Ministries is in the process of scheduling workshops with Fred Bernhard and Steve Clapp on the topic of Hospitality and Fear.  Call 1-800-774-3360 or write for more information.

Be sure to use the What Do We Fear? exercise that is part of this report.

To develop a better understanding of Muslims and the faith of Islam, see this list of web site links.