The meeting is being called by University of Auckland chaplain Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly.

Church leaders, pastors, chaplains, police, youth leaders and concerned parents will be coming together to discuss the recruitment activities of a South Korean-linked group accused of teaching a "theology of deception".

This is not the first time the Shincheonji, or the "New Heaven and New Earth" church, has been the focus of concern since it was established in Auckland.

It is alleged that Sincheonji has been recruiting members from Christian churches and universities using "deceitful methods".

Kelly said there has been evidence and news reports of Shincheonji elsewhere...with churches responding to heightened activity and concerns for young adults being lured in.

"These reports have exactly mirrored the anecdotal evidence I have heard in Auckland," she said.

Steve Worsley, the lead pastor of Mt Albert Baptist Church, said his church had lost members, including some leaders, to the group.

Worsley said recruiters, called "harvest reapers", joined his church under the pretence of being regular attendees.

"But they are on the lookout for people they can invite away to one of their Bible studies," said Worsley, who will be at the meeting.

"It would be fine if they were another open and trustworthy denomination, they're not - they teach that their founder is immortal and he teaches hatred towards outsiders."

Worsley said recruits were not told who the group really is until they were "well down the track".

Scott Watson, a Shincheonji leader, denies the accusations. "An individual's choice about which religion or belief to follow is a personal matter and not something that media and society can judge to be right or wrong."

Source

• New Zealand Herald
• Image: Tumbir

The group is know as Shincheonji, or the "New Heaven and New Earth"

Shincheonji members are alleged to have visited church congregations and student groups in universities in Auckland, inviting people to special study groups.

The group is also known as Shincheonji Church of Jesus the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, or SCJ.

The founder, Lee Man-Hee claims that Jesus appeared before him as a "bright heavenly figure."

Some see Lee Man-Hee as God's "promised pastor" who holds the key to avoid impending judgement.

Followers believe that Lee Man-Hee is the second coming of Jesus Christ.

It has been reported that the church teaches that Lee Man-Hee is the angel referred to in Revelation 22:16:

A University of Auckland law student and former Shincheonji church attendee claimed members of the group helped his mate "escape his family" in Auckland and paid for his airfare to live with believers in Korea.

Another student also allegedly donated his entire year's university fees to the group after he was convinced that earthly education was of no use to him.

Massey University religion and cult expert Professor Peter Lineham said the presence of the group in New Zealand was "concerning".

The group's 2016 annual report, written in Korean script, confirmed it had set up bases in two Oceania countries.

Lineham said Shincheonji's recruitment method of new members involved "real deceit".

"They pretend that they themselves are searching for the answer but they are actually full members of the cult," Lineham said.

The New Zealand Korean Churches Association, representing Korean Protestant churches, has been rolling out warnings to its member churches.

Source

• religionnewsblog.com
• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: cfile25.uf.tistory.com