MysticMag has the pleasure of chatting with Matt Arnold from the Churches Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies. It was established seventy years ago by a group of dedicated Christians, including both clergy and lay individuals. They recognized a pressing need for a community that could address the significant paranormal and mystical experiences that many people, both past and present, were encountering, experiences that the Church seemed ill-equipped to respond to effectively. You can check out Matt at www.GhostsGhoulsAndGod.co.uk.
Can you provide some insights into the mission and purpose of The Churches Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies? How does the Fellowship support individuals who have experienced spontaneous gifts of the Spirit or seek deeper spiritual understanding?
The Churches Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies was established in 1953 as a response to the church’s silence on apparitions and encounters with deceased loved ones following World War I and World War II. Many individuals who had personal experiences with the afterlife felt that the church dismissed their encounters as mere psychological or demonic phenomena, which contradicted their own firsthand knowledge.
Consequently, these individuals sought answers outside of the church, prompting the creation of the CFPSS. Originally focused on studying these phenomena and providing a Christian perspective, the fellowship expanded to include mystical and religious experiences beyond encounters with the deceased. With 70 years of history, the fellowship’s patrons include notable figures like former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and biologist Dr Rupert Sheldrake.
We aim to offer a supportive environment for people experiencing spiritual and paranormal phenomena, providing resources, local groups, publications, and a comprehensive website. Despite criticism from more conservative factions of the church, we can now confidently demonstrate the biblical basis for our work and challenge misconceptions that associate all paranormal experiences with evil or demonic forces. In fact, the Bible contains numerous accounts of paranormal phenomena. If you disagree, we would humbly invite you to reexamine your own understanding of the scriptures in the light of their original contexts.
What types of activities and discussions take place within this safe meeting place and how do members and enquirers benefit from sharing and exploring their experiences in an atmosphere of love and acceptance?
The Fellowship provides a loving and accepting atmosphere where individuals with various spiritual gifts, such as healing, clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, and telepathy, are embraced rather than condemned. We recognize that these gifts have biblical foundations and draw inspiration from Jesus’ own examples.
Our focus is on understanding and utilizing these gifts positively and productively, shifting the emphasis away from ourselves and towards serving others. We also offer support for individuals dealing with hauntings by connecting them with local specialists in the field. Our conversations encompass studying together, with group discussions and comments, fostering an evolving and vibrant community.
Our mission is to address the hurt and ignorance within the church by promoting a better understanding of Scripture and these phenomena through our studies. The CFPSS is here to help both the church and individuals understand this better.
Could you elaborate on the various areas of study offered by the CFPSS?
We delve into the realm of Christian mysticism and explore paranormal phenomena such as ghosts, telepathy, clairaudience, and clairvoyance. We also examine the theological aspects of practices such as prayer for the dead, which, despite being rejected by the Protestant Church due to historical conflicts, has been accepted by the majority of the Christian Church throughout its 2000-year history.
Our studies encompass a wide range of topics, including afterlife experiences, near-death experiences, after-death communication, out-of-body experiences, and even encounters with UFOs.
We publish two journals: the Fellowship Review, our members’ journal; and The Christian Parapsychologist journal, which is available free to our members and by subscription to anyone and covers a diverse array of subjects such as astral projection, magic, ghosts, exorcism, fairies, and the Shroud of Turin. We have also published a range of books and booklets and aim to publish at least one new title each year. Through these publications, we aim to provide knowledge and foster discussions within our community.
How do you provide encouragement and support to those seeking a way forward after receiving a ‘gift of the Spirit’?
As part of our fellowship, we offer various resources and opportunities for members to engage and connect. Upon becoming a member, individuals gain access to our extensive library, which provides a wealth of knowledge on the subjects we study. We organize conferences, including a Spring conference (online), an Autumn conference (in-person and online) and local group meetings. These gatherings serve as a platform for like-minded individuals to come together and share their experiences. In addition, we facilitate online chats through platforms like WhatsApp, fostering a safe and non-judgmental environment where people can freely discuss their interests and experiences.
We warmly welcome individuals from anywhere in the world who may feel apprehensive about being perceived as strange or unusual, assuring them that their experiences are valued and considered part of the broader understanding of life beyond the physical realm. It is noteworthy that the surge in interest in spiritual matters, particularly since the 1960s, has been accompanied by a decline in institutional religious affiliations.
People have increasingly embraced a “spiritual but not religious” perspective, seeking alternative avenues for exploring and expressing their spirituality. The advent of the internet has played a crucial role in allowing individuals to find their voice, connect with others who share similar experiences, and realize that their encounters are part of a larger tapestry of human existence.
How can individuals interested in joining or learning more about The Churches Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies get involved? Are there any specific requirements or prerequisites for membership, and what can they expect from their involvement with the Fellowship?
The Fellowship’s website, www.churchesfellowship.co.uk, serves as a comprehensive platform where you can find more information about our organization and its purpose. On the website, you will discover our founding principles, our activities, and what we offer to those interested in joining. Membership is available for a nominal fee of £5 for the year 2023 (our 70th Anniversary special price), granting individuals access to two journals: two copies each of The Christian Parapsychologist and Fellowship Review. Membership also includes access to our WhatsApp group, participation in regional groups, and access to our extensive library resources, as well as a discount on all CFPSS publications.
As for prerequisites, the main requirement is an open-minded acceptance of Christianity as a framework for exploring these topics, emphasizing a respectful and inclusive approach rather than dismissing them outright. Our aim is to provide a welcoming community where these areas can be studied and understood within a Christian context.
We also run a Facebook group (facebook.com/groups/cfpss) for members and non-members of the CFPSS alike.
