About

Since 1987, researchers working in conjunction with Christian churches and mission organisations have been meeting in international conferences from time to time. These conferences have been organised by Dr Peter Brierley, the past director of the Christian Research Association (UK) in his role as a ‘Senior Associate in Church Research’ through which he has served as a resource person to the Lausanne Committee.

The Lausanne Movement began with an international congress on world evangelism that took place in the city of Lausanne in Switzerland in 1974. At that congress, 4000 people from 151 countries gathered to discuss world evangelisation.

At the 2005 Lausanne Researchers’ Conference, a decision was made by the participants to set up a network. It was determined that the network would revolve around a website. Individuals and organisations would be invited to become members of the network and there would be a small annual fee to cover costs. While there would be public materials, there would also be a members section which would include details of interest, projects and reports from the various members. Members would be invited to submit a report of their research activities on an annual basis.

Among the reasons why an International Network of Church-Related Researchers has been established are the following:

1. To promote the sharing of skills, resources, materials, and ideas among those engaged in church-related research;

2. To encourage each other in conducting church-related research;

3. To provide a basis for communication between people involved in church-related research.

Such a network would not be a research organisation in its own right, but would provide an on-going network for those undertaking research.