Representatives of the Evangelical
Missiological Society, the Evangelical Theological Society, the Society for the
Study of Alternative Religions and Evangelical Ministries to New Religions met
in Nashville to discuss the challenge of new religious movements to world
evangelism, and to lay a foundation for future dialogue and cooperation.
The meeting was well attended and those
in "counter-cult" ministry were pleased to see such a large number of
missiologists in attendance. The participants agreed that continued dialogue is
needed that will facilitate an interdisciplinary approach to an evangelical
response to new religious movements.
The participants also agreed that
individuals interested in this mission field should consider membership in each
of the organizations, including EMS, ETS, SSAR and EMNR. Individuals who would
like contact information for these organizations to request membership
applications can contact me privately.
A highlight of the ETS conference was
the presentation of a paper by noted missiologist, Dr. David Hesselgrave. The
paper was titled "New and Alternative Religious Movements--Some
Perspectives of Missiologist." Recently added is a letter
by John Morehead, "Tired of Treading Water: Rediscovering and Reapplying a
Missiological Paradigm for 'Counter-Cult' Ministry."
The participants of this important
meeting agreed to continue dialogue through an e-mail forum, and to work more
closely by attendance at various conferences, and through the submission of
articles to various publications. A major goal would be a national consultation
of theologians, missiologists, academics and the "counter-cult"
community discussing the missiological challenge of new religious movements.
Those interested in being added to an
email discussion of new religions and missions can contact Rich Poll at richpoll@apologia.org.
If anyone has further questions about
this meeting, and how you can get involved in this interdisciplinary approach,
please contact me privately.
John Morehead