Christian Federation of Malaysia warns against conversions

(Nov. 30, 2011) The Christian Federation of Malaysia, CFM, has warned all Christian denominations and churches in the country, not to convert members of each other’s community. “We do not condone the practice of actively proselytizing and recruiting members from another Christian community for purposes of institutional or denominational aggrandizement,” the CFM said in its Christmas message issued on Tuesday.
“We recognize that any attempts to actively win converts from one another’s fold would undermine our joint commitment to the mission and gospel of Jesus Christ,” said the message signed by Anglican Bishop Ng Moon Hing, the CFM chairman.
The CFM is an ecumenical umbrella organization comprising the Council of Churches of Malaysia, the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship and the Catholic bishops’ conference. The prelate said message, however, clarifies that “our position does not detract from our recognition of the right and freedom of individuals to choose the community in which they wish to belong to.”