List of religious leaders in 1986

1985 religious leaders – Events of 1986 – 1987 religious leaders – Religious leaders by year -

See also:

• List of state leaders in 1986
• List of international organization leaders in 1986
• List of colonial governors in 1986

Catholic churches

• Roman Catholic Church – John Paul II, Pope (1978–2005)

Eastern Orthodox churches

• Constantinople – Demetrius I, Patriarch of Constantinople (1972–1991)
• Bulgaria – Maxim, Patriarch of All Bulgaria (1971–present)
• Cyprus – Chrysostomos, Archbishop of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus (1977–present)
• Georgia – Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia (1977–present)
• Greece – Seraphim, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece (1973–1998)
• Jerusalem – Diodorus, Patriarch of Jerusalem (1981–2000)
• Romania

- Iustin, Patriarch of All Romania (1977–1986)

- Teoctist I, Patriarch of All Romania (1986–2007)

• Russia – Pimen I, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1971–1990)
• Serbia – German, Patriarch of Serbia (1958–1990)

Oriental Orthodox Churches

• Armenian Apostolic Church – Vazgen I, Catholicos of Armenia (1955–1994)
• Assyrian Church of the East – Mar Dinkha IV (1976–present) Rival Patriarch in Baghdad Mar Addai II (1970–present)
• Coptic Orthodox Church – Shenouda III of Alexandria, Coptic Pope (1971–present)
• Syriac Orthodox Church – Ignatius Zakka I Iwas (1980–present)

Protestant churches

• Assemblies of God – G. Raymond Carlson, General superintendent of the Assemblies of God (1986–1993)
• Church of England – Robert Runcie, Archbishop of Canterbury (1980–1991)
• Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod – President Ralph Bohlmann (1981–1992)
• Lutheran World Federation – Zoltán Kaldy, President of the Lutheran World Federation (1984–1987)
• Seventh-day Adventist Church – Neal C. Wilson, President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (1979–1990)
• Southern Baptist Convention – President of the Southern Baptist Convention
  1. Charles Stanley (1984–1986)
  2. Adrian Rogers (1986–1988)
• Church of Sweden – Bertil Werkström, Archbishop of Uppsala (1983–1993)
• United Church of Canada – Moderator
  1. Robert F. Smith (1984–1986)
  2. Anne M. Squire (1986–1988)
• Worldwide Church of God – Pastor-General of the Worldwide Church of God
  1. Herbert W. Armstrong (1933–1986)
  2. Joseph W. Tkach (1986–1995)
• The Salvation Army – General Jarl Wahlstrom ( 1st General from Finland)1981 to 1986

-General Eva Burrows (2nd Australian General) 1986 to 1993

Islam

• Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – Khalifatul Masih IV, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (1982–2003)
• Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement – Saeed Ahmad Khan, Amir (1981–1996)
• Dawoodi Bohras – Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (1965–present)
• Nizari – Aga Khan IV (1957–present)

Other

• Jehovah's Witnesses – Frederick W. Franz, President of the Jehovah's Witnesses (1977–1992)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) – Ezra Taft Benson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1985–1994)
• Tibetan Buddhism – Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama (1935–present)
• World Council of Churches – Emilio Castro, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (1985–1992)
• New Apostolic Church – Hans Urwyler, Chief apostle of the New Apostolic Church (1978–1988)
• Coptic Orthodox Church – Shenouda III of Alexandria, Coptic Pope (1971–present)