List of 21st-century religious leaders explained
This is a list of the top-level leaders for religious groups with at least 50,000 adherents, and that led anytime since January 1, 2001. It should likewise only name leaders listed on other articles and lists.
Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
- Mongolia
- Russia
- Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia —
Christianity
Catholicism
- John Paul II, Pope (1978–2005)
- Benedict XVI, Pope (2005–2013)
- Old Roman Catholic Church in Europe[1] –
- Jerome Lloyd, Metropolitan Archbishop (2012–present)
- Philippine Independent Church –
- Tomás Millamena, Supreme Bishop (1999–2005)
- Godofredo J. David, Supreme Bishop (2005–2011)
Eastern Orthodoxy
Full Communion
- Peter VII, Patriarch of Alexandria (1997–2004)
- Irenaios I, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem (2001–2005)
- Neofit, Patriarch of All Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia (2013–2024)
- Chrysostomos I, Archbishop of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus (1977–2006)
- Irinej, Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci, and Serbian Patriarch (2010–2020)
- John Rinne, Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland (1987–2001)
- Leo Makkonen Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland (2001–present)
- Greek Orthodox Church of Epirus - Metropolitan Mar Melchizedek (2021-present)
Partial Communion
- Theodosius (Lazor), Archbishop of New York, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (1977–1980)
- Theodosius (Lazor), Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (1981–2002)
- Herman (Swaiko), Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (2002–2005)
- Herman (Swaiko), Archbishop of Washington and New York, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (2005–2008)
- Jonah (Paffhausen), Archbishop of Washington and New York, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (2008–2009)
- Jonah (Paffhausen), Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (2009–2012)
Oriental Orthodoxy
- Joseph Mar Koorilose IX (1986–2001)
Protestantism
Baptist
- John Upton (2010–present)
- Africa
- General Secretary and CEO
- S. T. Ola Akande, General Secretary
- S. Ola Fadeji, General Secretary
- Solomon Ademola Ishola, General Secretary
- Asia
- Letta, Executive Secretary
- Kooler, Executive Secretary
- Augustus Spurgeon, Executive Secretary
- Caleb Paw, Executive Secretary
- Arleen D. Fidel, Chairman (2004–present)
- India
- T. Ch. Immanuel, President (2006–present)
- Rajani Kaipeng, General Secretary
- Eurasia, regional
- Euro-Asian Federation of Evangelical Christians-Baptists Unions —
- Alexey Smirnov, President (2012–present)
- International Union of Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists —
- Nikolay Antonyuk, Chairman (2008–present)
- Eurasia, national
- Peter Konovalchuk, President (1994–2002)
- Alexey Smirnov, President (2010–2018)
- Frans G. Tissen, President (present)
- Europe, regional
- Jimmy Martin, General Secretary
- Europe, national
- Paul Negruţ, President (?–2007)
- Borzási István, President
- United Kingdom
- Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary
- North America
Canada
- Roger Fellows, General Coordinator (2001–NA)
- Mark Hudson, General Coordinator
- United States
- J. Brent Walker – Executive Director (1999–2016)
- Stephen LeBar, Executive Director (2004–2009)
- Eugene Dickerson, Moderator
- Stephen J. Thurston, President
- William J. Shaw, President (1999–2009)
- Julius R. Scruggs, President (2009–2014)
- Paul Hagen, General Superintendent
- Walter Parrish III, General Secretary
- T. DeWitt Smith, Jr., President (?–2010)
- Carroll A. Baltimore, President (2010–2014)
- James C. Perkins, President (2014–present)
- Southern Baptist Convention (complete list) –
- Bobby Welch, President (2004–2006)
- Henry J. Rodmon, General Bishop
Holiness
- David Rambo, President (–2005)
- Joseph Gross, General Superintendent (2008–present)[3]
- Salvation Army –
Lutheranism
- International
- Steven P. Petersen, President (2008–2011)
- Ralph Mayan, Chairman (2005–2008)
- Gerald B. Kieschnick, Chairman (2009–2010)
- Hans-Jörg Voigt, Chairman (2010–2012)
- Christian Krause (Germany), President (1997–2003)
- Europe
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia Church Abroad
- Udo Petersoo, Archbishop, (1990–2006)
- Andres Taul, Archbishop, (2007–2010)
- Thomas Vaga, Acting Bishop (2011–present)
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland –
- North America
- William Sullivan, National Service Coordinator (2002–2010)
- Karl R. Gurgel, President (1993–2007)
- Telmor Sartison, National Bishop (1993–2001)
Methodism
- Albert Chiew, Bishop (–2010)
- Samuel Asante Antwi, President and Presiding Bishop (1997–2003)
- Robert Aboagye-Mensah, Presiding Bishop (2003–2009)[4]
- Peter Chio, Bishop (?–2004)
- H Mvume Dandala, President (1998–2003)
- Ivan M Abrahams, President (2003–present)
- Vivian Harris, General Secretary (1988–2001)
- Ross A J Olivier, General Secretary (2001–2005)
- Vuyani G Nyobole, General Secretary (2005–present)
- United Methodist Church –
- Rosemarie Wenner, President of the Council of Bishops (2012–2014)
- Warner Brown, President of the Council of Bishops (2014–present)
Pentecostalism
Presbyterianism
- David Lacy, Moderator of the General Assembly (2005)
- Lorna Hood, Moderator of the General Assembly (2013)
- Jack Rogers, Moderator of the General Assembly (2001–2002)
- Fahed Abu-Akel, Moderator of the General Assembly (2002–2003)
- Susan R. Andrews, Moderator of the General Assembly (2003–2004)
- Joan Gray, Moderator of the General Assembly (2006–2008)
- Neal Presa, Moderator of the General Assembly (2012–2014)
Other protestant
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- General Minister and President[6]
- Moderator of the General Assembly[8]
- Paul D. Rivera (1999–2001)
- Alvin O. Jackson (2001–2003)
- Charisse Gillett (2003–2005)
- Bill Lee (2005–2007)
- Newell Williams (2007–2009)
- Larry Brown (2009–2011)
- Regina Morton (2011–2013)
- Glen Miles (2013–2015)
- Tony Rodriguez (2015–2017)
- Sue Morris (2017–2019)
- Belva Brown Jordan (2019–2023)[9]
- Seventh-day Adventists (complete list) –
Liz Slade, Chief Officer (2019–present)
- Uniting Church in Australia –
- Terence Corkin, General Secretary (2001–2015)[10]
- Colleen Geyer, General Secretary (2016–present)
- United Church of Canada –
Anglicanism
Provinces of the Anglican Communion
- George L.W. Werner, President of the House of Deputies (2000–2006)
Continuing Anglicanism
- Louis Falk, President of the House of Bishops (2005–present)
- Council Nedd II, Presiding Bishop (2005–present)
- Reginald Hammond, Presiding Bishop (2000–2004)
- George Connor, Presiding Bishop (2006–present)
- Julius A. Neeser, Bishop Ordinary (1998–2002)
- Scott Earle McLaughlin, Metropolitan Archbishop (2000–2012)
- Creighton Jones, Metropolitan Archbishop (2012–2015)
- Thomas Gordon, Metropolitan Archbishop (2015–present)
- Orthodox Anglican Church –
- Scott Earle McLaughlin, Presiding Bishop (2000–2012)
- Creighton Jones, Presiding Bishop (2012–2015)
- Shane B. Jenzen, Primate (2017–present)
- Michael Pope, Archbishop (2013–present)
- Robert Mercer, Bishop and Metropolitan (1988–2005)
- Peter Wilkinson, Bishop and Metropolitan (2005–present)
Other Christian or Christian-derived faiths
- Eduardo V. Manalo, Executive Minister (2009–present)
- Jehovah's Witnesses, Governing Body
- Lyman A. Swingle (1971-2001)
- Milton G. Henschel (1971-2003)
- Theodore Jaracz (1974-2010)
- Karl F. Klein (1974-2001)
- Albert D. Schroeder (1974-2006)
- Daniel Sydlik (1974-2006)
- Carey W. Barber (1977-2007)
- John E. Barr (1977-2010)
- Gerrit Lösch (1994–present)
- Samuel F. Herd (1999–present)
- M. Stephen Lett (1999–present)
- Guy H. Pierce (1999-2014)
- David H. Splane (1999–present)
- Geoffrey W. Jackson (2005–present)
- Anthony Morris III (2005-2023)
- D. Mark Sanderson (2012–present)
- Kenneth E. Cook Jr. (2018–present)
- Gage Fleegle (2023–present)
- Jeffrey Winder (2023–present)
- National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA –
- Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary (2007–2011)
- Peg Birk, General Secretary (2012–2013)
- Jim Winkler, General Secretary (2014–present)
- Unification Church –
- Sun Myung Moon, 'True Father' (1953–2012)
Hinduism
- Krishna Maharaj (1986–2003)[11]
Gaudiya Vaishnavism
- Bhakti Suhrid Paribrajak, president-acharya (1993–2018)
- Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami, president-acharya (1988–2010)
- Srila Nayananandana Das babaji, President (1999–2002)
- Srila Bhakti B. Tirtha Maharaj, President (2002–present).
Smarta tradition
Swaminarayan Sampradaya
- Acharya Shree Ajendraprasadji Maharaj (1984–present)
- Guruvarya Shri Devkrushnadasji Swami (1974–present)
- Acharya Shree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj (2003–present)
- BAPS —
- Gurudev Bapji, Founder (1987–2019)
- HDH Swamishri, President (2019–present)
- Gunatit Samaj —
- Pappaji Maharaj (1971–2006)
- Hariprasad Swamiji Maharaj (1971–2021)
- Aksharvihari Swamiji Maharaj (1971–2019)
- Jashbhai Sahebji (1971–present)
- Swaminarayan Gadi (Maninagar) — Jitendrapriyadasji Swami (present)
Hindu new movements
- Upashak Bandhu Bhramachariji (India) (present)
- Swami Gautamananda, President (2024-present)
- Sri Chinmoy Centers — Sri Chinmoy (1966–2007)
Islam
Pan-Islamic
- List of secretaries-general
Sunni
International
- Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Musleh, Secretary-General (present)
Afghanistan
Australia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
China
- Xilalunding Chen Guangyuan, President (present)
Indonesia
Israel and Palestine
Kazakhstan
- Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Kazakhstan —
- Yerzhan Malgajyuly Mayamerov, Grand Mufti (2013–present)
Malaysia
- Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs —
- Ismail Ibrahim, Chairman (2000–2005)
- Abdul Shukor Husin, Chairman (2005–2017)
- Wan Zahidi bin Wan Teh, Chairman (2017–2022)
- Nooh Gadut, Chairman (2022–present)
North Macedonia
- Zejnulla Fazliu, Islamic religious leader (1990–present)
Russia
- Central Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Russia —
- Magomed Albogachiev, Chairman (1998–2003)
- Ismail Berdiyev, Chairman (2003–present)
- Muftiate of the Republic of Dagestan —
- Ahmad Afandi Abdulaev, Mufti (1998–present)
- Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Republic of Adygea and Krasnodar Krai —
- Askarbiy Kardanov, Mufti (2012–present)
- Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Asian Part of Russia —
- Nafigulla Ashirov, Mufti (1997–present)
- Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Republic of Bashkortostan —
- Akhmad Shamaiev, Mufti (2000–2005)
- Sultan Mirsayev, Mufti (2005–2014)
- Salah Mezhiev, Mufti (2014–present)
- Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Republic of Ingushetia
- Muhammed Alboghatchiev, Mufti
- Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic —
- Hazrataliy Dzasejev, Mufti (2010–present)
- Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic —
- Ismail Berdiyev, Mufti (1991–present)
- Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania —
- Khajimurat Gatsalov, Mufti (2011–present)
- Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Russian Federation and Russian Council of Muftis —
- Rawil Ğaynetdin, Grand Mufti (2014–present) and Chairman (1996–present)
- Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan —
- Ğosman İsxaqi, Mufti (1998–2011)
- Ildus Faiz, Mufti (2011–2013)
- Kamil Samigullin, Mufti (2013–present)
- Spiritual Assembly of the Muslims of Russia —
- Albir Krganov, Mufti (2016–present)
Saudi Arabia
Taiwan
- Ma Jiazhen, President (1996–2002)
- Ni Anguo, President (2002–2006)
- Ma Ruhu, President (2006–2008)
- Dawood Cho Yong-tsing, President (2008–present)
Ukraine
- Kirim Esende, Mufti
- Spiritual Directorate of the Muslims of Crimea (Simferopol) —
Uzbekistan
- Muslim Board of Uzbekistan
- Abdurashid Kori Bakhromov, Grand Mufti (1995–2006)
- Nuriddin Kholiqnazarov, Grand Mufti (2021–present)
Yemen
Shia
Twelver
- Mohammad Mahdi Asefi, General Secretary
Ismaili
Houthis –
Ahmadiyya
Nation of Islam
Ibadi
Judaism
- Asia
- Eurasia
- Europe
- Zalman Lent, Acting Chief Rabbi (2008–present)
- United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations
- North America
New religious movements
Baháʼí Faith
- J. Douglas Martin (1993–2005)
- Hartmut Grossman (2003–2008)
- Firaydoun Javaheri (2003–2018)
- Shahriar Razavi (2008–present)
- Ayman Rouhani (2013–present)
- Chuungu Malitonga (2013–present)
- Praveen Mallik (2018–present)
- Juan Francisco Mora (2018–present)
- Andrej Donoval (2023-present)
- Albert Nshisu Nsunga (2023-present)
Radha Soami
Scientology
Others
Other
Jainism
Mandaeism
Ravidassia
- Niranjan Dass, Sant (2007–present)
Shinto
Sectarian Shinto
- Heiki Konko, Spiritual Leader (1991–present)
- Kurozumikyō –
- Kurozumi Muneharu, Chief Patriarch (1973–2017)
- Kurozumi Munemichi, Chief Patriarch (2017–present)
Unitarian Universalism
- Unitarian Universalist Association –
Voodoo / Vodun
- Beninese Vodun
- Adanyroh Guèdèhounguè, President of National Community of Voodoo Cults of Benin (CNCVB)[16]
- Daagbo Hounon Houna II, Supreme Leader of Vodun[17]
- Haitian Vodou
- Demanbre — Augustin St. Clou, King of Voodoo (2016–present)[18]
- National Confederation of Haitian Vodouisants (KNVA) — Prospère Louidor, National Ati (Supreme Voodoo Chief) (2021–present)[19]
Spiritual Genuinity
- Founded by Amit Goyal (2019-present)
- Started at a badminton court in Sydney where the idea was playing honestly and how it depicts the peace in this world.
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 27 April 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180307032325/http://orcce.webs.com/. 7 March 2018.
- News: Preacher, racer are two of a kind. Dallenbach brothers follow different roads that intersect with love. . It's quite a spin from Wally's life as a race-car driver to the Rev. Robert Dallenbach's small Pillar of Fire Church, where drinking, dancing and smoking are forbidden. While Wally directs Denver's Grand Prix races this August, his older brother likely will be a few blocks away, preaching at Alma Temple. The Reverend Bob wears a charcoal-gray suit and Roman collar. His 8-year-old, church-owned Ford station wagon bears license tag ... But things aren't always what they seem with the brothers Dallenbach ... . . April 30, 1990 . 2007-07-21 . 2012-10-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121009115712/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DP&p_theme=dp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB1D1A24D5E1A01&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM . live .
- Web site: Somerset Christian College. Somerset Christian College. 2009-10-17. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090906193854/http://www.somerset.edu/pages/page.asp?page_id=80731. 2009-09-06.
- The Methodist Church Ghana (1835–2005): 170th Anniversary Souvenir Brochure. Accra, 2005
- Web site: Structures & Ministries: New Apostolic Church International (NAC). 2020-08-08. www.nak.org. 2020-02-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20200224070130/http://www.nak.org/about-the-nac/structures-ministries/. live.
- Book: Cummins, D. Duane . The Disciples : a struggle for reformation . 2009 . Chalice Press . 978-0-8272-0637-3 . St. Louis, Mo. . 296–300 . 268790454.
- Web site: The Leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) . 2023-01-27 . Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) . en-US.
- Web site: Past General Assemblies . 2023-01-27 . Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) . en-US.
- Web site: The Leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) . 2023-01-27 . Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) . en-US.
- Web site: Colleen Geyer appointed General Secretary . 14 July 2015 . Uniting Church in Australia . 8 November 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161108134007/http://assembly2015.uca.org.au/colleen-geyer-appointed-general-secretary/ . 8 November 2016 .
- Web site: Death of a Guru. 2003-10-21. 2021-08-05. 2021-08-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210805110658/https://archives.newsday.co.tt/2003/10/21/death-of-a-guru/. live.
- Web site: Maha Sabha loses its Spiritual Head. 2018-11-30. 2021-08-05. 2021-08-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210805110658/https://newsday.co.tt/2018/11/30/maha-sabha-loses-its-spiritual-head/. live.
- Web site: Pundit Uttam Maharaj is new Dharmachaya. 2005-05-03. 2021-08-05. 2021-08-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210805110658/https://archives.newsday.co.tt/2005/05/03/pundit-uttam-maharaj-is-new-dharmachaya/. live.
- Web site: New Dharmacharya congratulated. 2019-05-05. 2021-08-05. 2021-08-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210805110700/https://newsday.co.tt/2019/05/05/new-dharmacharya-congratulated/. live.
- Web site: The 500 Most Influential Muslims . 2011 . gwu.edu . . 2017-01-17.
- Web site: 2016-01-11 . Bénin: reportage à la fête du "vodoun" de Grand-Popo . 2023-06-21 . RFI . fr.
- Web site: Haiti - FLASH : The Supreme Leader of Voodoo King Daagbo Hounon Houna II, visiting Haiti - HaitiLibre.com : Haiti news 7/7 . 2023-06-21 . www.haitilibre.com.
- Web site: Nieves . Josué Israel Cárdenas . El vudú haitiano visita México, Augustin St. Clou . 2023-06-21 . lemexico.mx . es-MX.
- Web site: L’installation de Prospère Louidor, comme nouvel Ati national renforce les divisions au sein du secteur vodou . 2023-06-21 . www.enquetaction.com.