The British Messianic Jewish Alliance

Where Are We Heading?

A ship without a destination is not the kind of cruise most people are looking for. What role does, and should, the BMJA have for the UK’s Messianic Jewish Community?

"What made you join the Alliance?" was the first question. To my surprise, some hadn’t. One said she had never been asked. Another made the point that this is a step that is not to be embarked upon lightly. A married couple with two children in Jewish day school attend Messianic meetings but, unaware of what they are missing out on, have not joined the Alliance.

Rather more worrying was the indifferent response of the non-Jewish partner of a BMJA member. But another in the same situation said he wanted to appreciate what it means to be Gentile, how Jew and Gentile relate to one another. The widow of a Messianic Jew said of her late husband: "I learned so much from him and feel totally part of the Jewish people. The more anti-Semitic the TV and radio become, the more I feel it is necessary that those who know the truth are able to speak clearly."

Secondly, what does the Alliance contribute to people’s lives? "As a Jew I had to learn about the Jewishness of Christianity – in a way the churches are reluctant to do" "It gives a sense of Jewishness to our faith which is neglected if we only go to our local church." The opportunity "to mix with other Jewish people who also believe in Jesus… only other Jewish people know what it means to lose your family because of your faith" "My main opportunity to meet and have fellowship with other Jewish believers… to fly the flag for Messianic Judaism". A second-generation Jewish believer said; "It all happened in my home. I just grew up in it and into it, but then I am a privileged person". Will our children speak of us like this?

The third question was: "What do you think is the greatest need for the Messianic movement in the UK?" To be visible and audible. Never has the climate of multiculturalism been more favourable for us. Few of our number are stereotypical Jewish people, fluent in Hebrew, conversant with Talmudic teaching, married-in, clued up in yiddishkeit. But the same can be said of the Jewish community at large. So why should we be any different? And, more important, why should we be ashamed of being as we are and what we are: a multifarious, yet self-identifying group in British society? The greatest need is for Jewish believers in Jesus to come out of the closet, for there is more that binds us together than there is that separates us.

Finally: "Do you think the role of the BMJA has changed now we are well into the new millennium?" 1866 is an awfully long time ago. Even 1966, come to that. I remember 1966, and how we then had in the Alliance a number of members who bore the pain of their private memories with great dignity. That generation is now passing away and, along with it, figureheads. We are not without congregational leaders, but we now have fewer leading lights we can truly look up to.

Members who have joined in the recent past have a very different experience of life. Fewer need practical help and emotional support in quite the same way. But there are still believers who go through terrible rejection and chronic misunderstanding in order to take a stand for Yeshua. Very few of us feel absolutely comfortable in our local church. No-one in this communication age should be having to go it alone.

At the top of our agenda must be communication. Communication between believers. Maybe a BMJA internet chatroom. Stronger links with sister Alliances on mainland Europe. Twinning with Kehilot in Israel. Communication with the synagogues, with the press and with the churches – simply by standing up so as to be counted. By doing so we challenge the popular assumptions of multi-cultural Britain. We are saying that Jesus is the only way of salvation for anyone, whatever their ethnic origin.

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