MIRCOM 2026 Conférence

Initiated by Karina Bénazech Wendling (Associate Professor, Université de Lorraine/IDEA), MIRCOM is a research project that is sponsored by the MSH Lorraine (Maison des Sciences Sociales et des Humanités de Lorraine) and partners.

MIRCOM is a research project that aims to explore the role of Jewish and Protestant minorities in nation building in three European countries with Catholic majorities: France, Ireland and Italy.

Don't miss this International Conference “Common ground or walled gardens? The Jewish and Protestant minorities’ contribution to vivre ensemble in France, Ireland and Italy (1789 – 1948)”, 19-21 May 2026, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge

For proposal of papers or further information, click here (link)

The new Evangelical Power

"Evangelicals or evangelists? Those discussed in this book are not the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but rather the evangelicals, the believers who identify with this branch of Protestantism.

A vibrant branch, very vibrant indeed. We see them in our streets singing with fervor, we read their graffiti “Jesus saves” in our cities. Who are they?

Where do they come from? What do they want?"

In 504 pages, this book offers an in-depth historical and sociological analysis of the “evangelical phenomenon,” questioning the nature of the “new power” they represent:

City of God, or God in the city?

Theocratic temptation, or democratic ingredient?

BIG THANKS to GRASSET publishers for their trust.

Link to the publisher

International Congress for Pietism Research Halle, 5–8 September 2027 (call for paper)

CFP: Pietism and Rule

VII International Congress for Pietism Research Halle (Saale), 5–8 September 2027

Organised by the Interdisciplinary Centre for Pietism Research at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, in cooperation with the Francke Foundations in Halle (Saale).

Possible topics for presentations include:

 

-Pietism between Resistance and the Legitimation of Hegemonic Orders

-Rule and Freedom(s): Good and Bad Government, Obedience and Resistance

-Pietist Engagements with Democratic, Socialist, and Social Democratic Movements

-Mission and Colonial Rule

-Justifying Rule through the Authority of Scripture

-Pietism and “Theocratic” Communities

-Norm Formation in Doctrine, Piety, and “True” Christian Practice

-Sociologies of Knowledge: Controlling (Power) Knowledge

-Techniques of Domination by or against Pietism

-(Theological) Knowledge Production in Academic Contexts

-Education and the Institutionalisation of Authority

-Rule through Concepts: “Pietism” as a Category of Attribution 

 

The International Congress for Pietism Research, usually held every four years in Halle, is the largest international congress of its kind and brings together researchers from all relevant disciplines in the humanities and social sciences who deal with the long eighteenth century and its interpretations up to the present day.

The Congress languages are German and English. Please submit your proposal for a presentation of no more than 30 minutes, including an abstract of 1,000–1,500 characters and a short CV, by 15 March 2026 to:

Diethard Sawicki
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Interdisciplinary Centre for Pietism Research
06099 Halle (Saale)
Germany

[e-mail]
https://izp.uni-halle.de

Link 

Reflections on Mission as a Category (Social Sciences and Missions)

Good news !

A brand new issue of Social Sciences and Missions has been coordinated by Philippe Gonzalez (Lausanne University) with his colleague Yannick Fer (CNRS, France).

In particular, three excellent contributions to be noticed, by Matthieu Thomas, Juliette Duléry, and Anne Siggen, addressing the challenges of visibility and discretion in the religious sphere.

 

Link.

History of the FATEB, "an African Dream" (book)

Historical studies on theological training sites for Evangelicals in the vast Francophone Africa ?

There are very few. 

All the more reason to highlight this book by John F. Robinson (PhD, University of Strasbourg), published in May 2025. It is titled *An African Dream: The History of an Evangelical Seminary for French-Speaking Africa*.

This seminary is the renowned FATEB, Faculté de Théologie Evangélique de Bangui (in French), one of the first university-level evangelical seminary in the area.

Founded in 1974, it is still based in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.  

Congratulations to John F. Robinson for this book.  

Link to learn more.

Jason E. Shelton, The contemporary Black Church

Black Americans have moved from traditional Christian denominations into non-denominational institutions but also to the more open identification of being spiritual but not religious.

As this change has happened, the influence of Black preachers has dwindled, as have the community ties once forged in the crucible of ‘the Black Church’ as a singular oppositional body to white racism, Jim Crow, and unfavourable economic conditions. 

Jason Shelton's The Contemporary Black Church (New York University Press, 2024) examines how African American religious institutions are evolving through new leadership models, political engagement, and adaptations to social changes while maintaining their historic role in community empowerment.

Link

"Why France is suddenly full of evangelical churches"

Contrary to what this video suggests, France is not suddenly full of evangelical churches.

However, there is a growing visibility in France of a diverse form of evangelical Protestantism. It now reaches over a million people and attracts young audiences. This has caught the attention of journalist Elena Pompei and the YouTube channel ENTR, which published this 11,5-minutes in-depth report a week ago. Let's notice it is featuring an interview with sociologist Christophe Monnot, affiliated with the GSRL research laboratory.

The ENTR channel describes itself as: "ENTR, a unique channel made by young journalists from DW, France Médias Monde, and partners all over Europe."

Lien.

 

Romanian Pentecostal Churches in Italy

There are approximately 150 Romanian Pentecostal churches in Italy today. The number has roughly tripled since 2000, from about 50 churches, reflecting the influx of over 1 million Romanian migrants (including many Pentecostal).

To know more, let's read Pietro Cingolani, "Romanian Pentecostal Immigrants in Italy: Between Adaptations and Innovations" in Guglielmi, M. (eds) Immigrant Christianities. Religion and Global Migrations. Palgrave Macmillan, 2025 (p.121-142).

These Pentecostal groups differ from other confessions but show convergences in multicultural Italy. They challenge the Catholic Church's symbolic monopoly and the Romanian Orthodox Church in Italy.

Catholics and Orthodox share strong dogma and clergy-laity separation. Pentecostals prioritize experience over theological preparation. Transnational migration prompts adaptations to Italian context. They adopt a culturally neutral approach to include minorities segregated in Romania.

Despite conservative gender views, they promote women's agency in Italy. Churches enhance assistance and pastoral activism toward youth. They incorporate specific Catholic elements in this process.

Link.

African Evangelicalism and the Transformation of Africa (Jacob K. Olupona)

"What is the impact of Evangelical Christianity on Africa? Evangelical Christianity and the Transformation of Africa (Georgetown University Press, 2025) aims to answer this question.

Evangelical Christianity is manifesting into a strong presence in African states, perhaps more than in any other place in the world.

Given its exponential rise in Africa, it is increasingly clear that Christianity in its evangelical form is exercising significant influence in virtually all spheres of life, defining the essence of public and private life.

Drawing on original works from leading scholars in humanities and social science disciplines-such as Afe Adogame, Yolanda Covington-Ward, Jacob Olupona, Derek Peterson, Shobana Shankar, and Nimi Wariboko, this volume endeavors to produce a comprehensive study of Evangelical Christianity in Africa, paying careful attention to disciplinary interconnections, as well as social, cultural, political, and economic forces".

 

Link.

 

Charismatic Healers in Contemporary Africa

This is a very insightful book : Charismatic Healers in Contemporary Africa: Deliverance in Muslim and Christian Worlds, edited by Sandra Fancello and Alessandro Gusman, London & New York: Bloomsbury Academic/Bloomsbury Publishing, 2023.

Let's thank Makku Hokkanen for his review, released in the Journal of Contemporary Religion Volume 40, 2025 - Issue 2.

Link.

Evangelicals in France in social media (France 24)

Since the early 2020s, evangelicals have slightly surpassed one million followers in France.

This continues to arouse the growing curiosity of mainstream media.

After France 2, it's France 24's turn to examine the influence of French evangelicals on social media.

"An area in Bordeaux, France, hosted a massive evangelical worship service attracting nearly 4,000 followers to hear Quebec preacher Claude Houde. Evangelicalism is a religion gaining traction with youth, largely by recruiting on social media. Carla, a 19-year-old influencer, shares her faith with 300,000 followers on TikTok."

Link to France 24: 

Evangelicalism in France : social media used to attract young believers

European evangelicals' portrayal on public TV causes concern

A lengthy report on evangelicals recently sparked debate in France: "Evangéliques, un succès pas si angélique" ("Evangelicals, A Success Not So Angelic"), broadcast on public television (France 2, program Envoyé Spécial).

Approached from the angle of abuse and manipulation, it could have fostered an interesting debate, but it is undermined by a highly questionable methodology and bias (including confusion between priest and pastor, mass and worship service, etc.).

As a result, the documentary provoked disapproval and misunderstanding, particularly from the two main French umbrella organizations, the Protestant Federation of France (link) and the National Council of Evangelicals of France (link), both of which issued public statements.

It should be noted that a few days earlier, another report, this time on a Spanish public channel, also addressed the evangelical issue from an anxiety-inducing perspective (link).

This led Evangelical Focus media to highlight that “It is difficult to understand how information about the evangelical reality in Spain can be reported without a single opinion from at least one of its representatives” (link).

Is all this fair game after all, or is being a religious minority in Europe still a challenge today ?

Nevertheless, no doubt these two controversial public TV reports provide additional material to a contemporary history of pluralism and minority protestant networks in secular Europe (link).

Forthcoming conference : Pietism and Education (France)

Great forthcoming conference on Pietism and Education (Campus Condorcet, feb 2026, France)

It is still possible to apply for a communication (deadline 15th of october, 2025)

Evangelicalism in Europe Unity in Diversity (Langham)

What does the evangelical movement stand for? In the twenty-first century the term has become highly contested. In August 2024, the Fellowship of European Evangelical Theologians met for its biennial conference in cooperation with the European Evangelical Alliance to explore evangelical identity in Europe with particular emphasis on unity in diversity. This collection of essays, and invited additional chapters, was presented by national leaders and experts from across Europe. 

Read more here (LANGHAM)

"The Spirit blows where it wills" (Desert Assembly 2025)

"Every year, the village of Mialet in the Cévennes mountains of southern France becomes a meeting place for those who want to keep alive the country's reformed history and its struggle for religious freedom."

Theme : ‘The Spirit blows where it wills: 1525-2025: 500 years of extraordinary Protestant diversity’.

An event commemorating the 500th Anniversary of Anabaptists, including historians Neal Blough and Sebastien Fath.

Read more here (Evangelical Focus)

And if you want to watch some pics, click here (Flickr Album)

Evangelicalism in Europe (Langham), forthcoming

Under the umbrella of the European Evangelical Alliance, this much-needed forthcoming book will give us precious insights about EVANGELICALISM in EUROPE (Langham).

HISTORY OF SOUTH SUDAN (six videos)

The videos below correspond to six summaries (each a maximum of about ten minutes) of six 1.5-hour lectures (totaling 9 hours of teaching), given on South Sudan at AUAN (Neuilly University and Artistic Association) in spring 2025.

Pastor Lauzet on the beginnings of the CNEF (French Evangelical network)

Evangelical Focus is a Christian online news publication based in Europe, launched in 2015 under the Spanish and European Evangelical Alliances. It provides daily news, reports, interviews, and opinion pieces.  It is coordinated by Pedro Tarquis (editorial director) and Joel Forster (management and operations). The platform is available in English and engages audiences through its website and social media

It's not often that this media outlet covers the French scene. This is the case here with this interview with Pastor Stéphane Lauzet, who was one of the key players in the early days of the CNEF. He is interviewed about his book, which describes the beginnings of the main current French Evangelical network.

Launched in 2002-03 and then formalized in 2010, the CNEF (Conseil National des Evangéliques de France) is the main umbrella network of evangelical Protestants in France.

Link

SISR 2025 Conference

The ISSR (INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION), founded in 1948, is a worldwide scientific organization devoted to understanding the relationship between religion and society.
The Society holds bilingual (French & English) conferences every two years. Though it does not publish its own journal, the SISR fill one issue of the international journal Social Compass annually with papers from its conferences.

The 2025 Conférence (June 30, July 4) will be held in Lithuania. Its theme :

Religion, Migration, and Conflicts

in Polarized Societies (link)

Evangelicalism and religious freedom

Religious freedom as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights remains a perennial concern across the globe. Over the centuries many evangelicals have not enjoyed this right in practice, but they have generally advocated its acceptance, especially to allow the spread of the gospel. Not always, however, have they supported freedom for religious groups besides themselves, and sometimes they have endorsed discrimination against other bodies. 

To know much more about these key issues, here comes this reference book, edited by David W. Bebbington, The Gospel and Religious Freedom, Historical Studies in Evangelicalism and Political Engagement, Baylor University Press, 2023.

Link.

La Place 2025, the French Evangelical 'rendez-vous' in Paris

 

"La Place 2025" is a major, unprecedented, multifaceted event dubbed “the Rendez-vous of (French) Evangelicals.”

It is currently held over three days—from May 8 to 10, 2025—at the Parc Floral de Paris, and is featuring a diverse program of artists, conferences, and workshops, as well as more than 250 exhibitors and over 3,000 registered visitors.

Link.

French Evangelicals & cultic deviations (Miviludes)

MIVILUDES is, in France, an official State-sponsored mission designed to identify religious sectarian/cultic drifts.

MIVILUDES published its report for the period 2022-2024 on this April 8, 2025.

The number of reports has "more than doubled" between 2015 and 2024, increasingly mentioning evangelical churches.

These figures call for four observations:

French Evangelicals and weekly Bible reading

Pan-African encounter

The current social, cultural, and political mutations in Africa combine two dimensions.

On one hand, there is a rise in postcolonial sovereigntism. On the other hand, new pan-African dynamics are emerging, which could be described as a "pan-Africanism of nations."

This provides an opportunity to recommend the following book:

Adekeye Adebajo, The Pan-African Pantheon: Prophets, Poets, and Philosophers, Manchester University Press, 2021 (680 pages).

This book is a significant academic anthology that explores Pan-Africanism through the contributions of 36 key figures, spanning from pioneers like Edward Wilmot Blyden and Marcus Garvey to contemporary thinkers such as Wangari Maathai and Kwame Anthony Appiah.

Adebajo, a professor and former director of the Centre for Conflict Resolution in South Africa, brings together scholars and writers to offer a multidimensional analysis of the movement, encompassing its historical, intellectual, cultural, and political aspects. Recently published, it provides an updated and comprehensive approach, making it a valuable resource.

Based in Addis-Abeba, the institution at the heart of these pan-African dynamics remains the African Union.

This is an opportunity for me to warmly thank Ms. Paska Nyaboth for her visit to the GSRL earlier this month, and the great discussion provided. I also extend my gratitude to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which supported her visit as part of the PIPA program (Program for Inviting Future Leaders).

With Ms Nyaboth Paska (African Union, PIPA program)

 

A South Sudanese national, Ms. Paska Nyaboth is one of the very bright minds shaping the pan-African Africa of today and tomorrow. She seeks solutions, informed by the experiences of peoples and nations, including French-speaking ways (in Africa and in France) to deal with religious diversity and secularism.

To be continued!

African Initiated Christianity and the Decolonisation of Development

In most, if not all African nations, religion is a key player in the social fabric. This is why such a remarkable scholarly book should not be missed.

Released in 2020, this volume investigates the substantial and growing contribution which African Independent and Pentecostal Churches are making to sustainable development in all its manifold forms. 

 

Good news !

It is downloadable for free on ResearchGate (link).

Minority Protestant Network's first newsletter

Already presented in these columns, the Minority Protestants Network is a very dynamic research network on Protestantism as a minority religion.

Led by Eugenio Biagini (Prof. Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge), Karina Benazech Wendling (Associate Prof. Université de Lorraine) with the collaboration of Laura Popa (Phd University of Giessen), it just released its first newsletter.

 

Its rich content is available here (link). 

 

Canadian Pentecostals (Brill)

Significant book !

"The Canadian Pentecostal Experience includes eighteen essays organized into three themes: 1) Historiography and Early Canadian Pentecostalism; 2) Theological Practices and Processes; and 3) Social and Cultural Change. This collection makes a significant contribution to the growing literature of global Pentecostal scholarship.

The works are important for the Canadian context but as the editors argue in the Introduction, Canadian Pentecostalism is “glocal” (shaped by both local and global realities). This collection will interest readers drawn from the wider field of religious studies and global Pentecostalism to initiate conversations about how Pentecostalism evolves in both its local and global expressions"

Link. 

Oxford Handbook of Caribbean Religions

Just released : Edited by Michelle Gonzalez Maldonado, this Oxford Handbook of Caribbean Religions offers...

• Comprehensively details a multitude of Caribbean religions in one volume
• Geographic chapters focus on religious practices in complex nations
• Thematic chapters explore a large number of religious traditions

A must-have ! Link

 

Black visions of the Holy Land

This survey of the relationships between US Black Churches with Israel and Palestine has just been published. Thank you Roger Baumann !

Based on 4 case studies, the author describes a very dominant African-American Christian Zionism, but with specific accents.

The relationship of the Black Churches with the land of Israel is placed under the sign of Civil Rights for the oppressed. This line distinguishes them from ultra-Zionist circles (John Hagee), & colors their Zionism with a more attentive listening to the injustices suffered by the Palestinians.

Link

2025-2026 Research Residencies at the Paris Institute for Advanced Study

The Paris Institute for Advanced Study is a research center in the social sciences, humanities and cognitive (neuro)sciences, and a partner of the main Parisian higher education and research institutions.

Please look at the 2025-2026 research residencies call at the Paris IAS ! It offers exceptional researchers in the social sciences and humanities the opportunity to develop a research project in ideal conditions that include: a full academic year (10 months) of time for research away from teaching and administrative responsibilities, insertion in an international and interdisciplinary community of top-level researchers and the largest concentration of scientists in Europe, within an excellent work and living environment in the heart of Paris.

More here (link)