|
Christian Conference of Asia
|
About CCA
Program Clusters: Special Programs:
|
Ecumenical leader calls for campaign to create a "non-bellicose world"Ahn Jae Woong, general secretary of the CCA has called for an "ecumenical campaign for a non-bellicose world." Presenting a report to the General Committee, held in Bangkok from 22-26 October 2003, he said that the campaign was necessary in this age of war and terror, created by a culture of violence which is spreading in many parts of the world. He said that the ecumenical campaign should be done with people of other faiths, no faith and civil society groups. The 26-member General Committee, comprising officers and representatives from 18-member countries in the Asia-Pacific, meets once in 18 months between the general assemblies and in the year of the general assembly. The next assembly will be held in Chiangmai, Thailand from March 31 to April 6, 2005, on the theme, "Building communities of peace for all." Eleven general assemblies have taken place so far. Ahn Jae Woong in his report observed that "ecumenical enthusiasm has gradually declined." He felt that "ecumenical dreams, visions, theological thinking, agendas, involvement, leadership, resources" may not be attractive to the mainline churches. Decreasing church membership and funds in the mainline churches might affect the ecumenical movement in the future, he warned. According to the general secretary, four foundations of the ecumenical movement need more focus, which are, "faith in God (requiring metanoia), love for each other and other people (requiring koinonia), hope in building communities (requiring diakonia) and care of for God's creation (requiring harmonia)." He also listed the following tasks for the revitalization of the ecumenical movement: Re-generate the spirituality of the ecumenical movement Re-define the vision and mission of the ecumenical movement Re-invent the programmes of the ecumenical movement Re-produce leadership of the ecumenical movement Re-construct the structure of the ecumenical movement Re-mobilize the resources of the ecumenical movement Re-develop membership of the ecumenical movement Ahn Jae Woong announced that the first volume, "A History of Ecumenical Movement in Asia," by Ninan Koshy will be ready for publication in April 2004. The second volume edited by Ninan Koshy is also scheduled for release at the same time. Earlier, on 23 October, the General Committee, which was attended by members, staff, resource persons, guests and invitees, began with an opening worship. Dr U Kyaw Than, the former general secretary of the East Asia Christian Conference delivered the sermon. Dr Prawate Khid-arn, associate general secretary for finance in his report urged the member churches to actively participate in the work of the CCA and to really own it by extending moral and financial support. One of the highlights of the event was the three bible studies, "Community in Mathew," "Community in Luke and in John," "Commission to mission in Mark,"conducted by Dr D Preman Niles, the Sri Lankan theologian and a former general secretary of the Council for World Mission. The General Committee also heard the two special guests at the Committee, Rev Dr Robert Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and Mr Victor Hsu, senior advisor to the director of the Church World Service (CWS). Dr Robert Edgar, a former Congressman in the USA, expressed the desire to jointly work and collaborate with the work of the CCA in creating non-violent societies. He expressed the willingness of the NCCC-USA in joining with the CCA in issuing joint statements on matters affecting the region and outside. He also called for more exchanges of delegations between the CCA and the NCCC-USA. Mr Victor Hsu, assured the meeting that the CCA will be a major partner of the CWS in the years to come. He paid tributes to the CCA for being the Asian voice in the international ecumenical arena. He, too, wanted more exchanges of persons and information between the CCA and the churches in the USA. Among the special invitees who attended the General Committee were, Professor James Haire, a member of the preparatory committee of the forthcoming General Assembly and president of the National Council of Churches in Australia, and Rev Sint Kimhachandra, general secretary of the Church of Christ in Thailand, which helped provide dinner and transportation to the CCA General Committee throughout the meeting. posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 |
