Engaging with New Religious Movements

Most people have heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Scientologists, but in the last twenty years there has been an explosion of New Religious Movements, minority religions, sects, personal development movements, DIY religion and alternative spirituality groups. How do we engage with people from such movements, what are the implications for mission, and what happens when people want to import their beliefs and practices into church life?

Anne Richards will provide an overview of the current NRM scene, national principles and practice for engagement with people from NRMs, looking at the opportunities and challenges. We will also look at some actual scenarios and tease out the theological and pastoral issues involved.

Anne Richards is the Church of England’s National Adviser for Mission Theology, New Religious Movements and Alternative Spiritualities. She is responsible for answering all the enquiries on these matters which come into the National Church Institutions, from questions about angel visitations to whether it is dangerous to undertake Zen meditation. Anne works with INFORM at Kings College, London and with a range of NRM watching institutions around the work. She is also the convener of the Mission Theology Advisory Group (MTAG) resourcing churches in the areas of Spirituality, Theology, Reconciliation, Evangelism and Mission (STREAM).