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Christian Conference of Asia
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About CCA
Program Clusters: Special Programs:
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Ecumenical Enablers Training in Timor Lorosae
1-5 October 2012 Ecumenical Enablers Training inspires 'Unity of Churches, more pastoral training, need for a Theological seminary and Bible in native Tetun language'.......
This program which was the first of its kind to be held in Timor Lorosa’e, trained 28 participants from the Protestant Churches, comprising pastors, evangelists, church leaders and young people, in Ecumenism and other aspects of fullness of life for all. It is also considered as a major step towards peace and harmony, especially in the context of Timor Lorosae which is struggling to stand on its own feet in the aftermath of the independence struggle.
Churches in Timor Lorosa’e
are yet to crystallize into a strong unified national Christian
presence. The estimated 80 pastors including evangelists feel that
they are in need of more leadership training, on-going pastoral education and
ecumenical formation. They regret that they do not have their own Theological
Seminary nor a Bible in their own native Tetun language. The training inspired
them to think in terms of promoting unity and solidarity among the churches and
suggested having regular meetings and ecumenical worship services with the
neighbouring churches on special occasions like Easter, Christmas and
Independence Day.
The training that focused on the theme “Called to Reconcile
and Heal the Household of God,” emphasized wider ecumenical vision that
included church unity, common witness of the Gospel, and the
reconciling and healing mission in the local contexts. A general orientation on
the theme from all aspects including one from the perspective of God’s
creation, was given by Rev. Jung Eun Moon, Executive Secretary of CCA – FMU. A brief
history of the ecumenical journey of Christian churches in Timor Leste was
shared by Rev. Albino da Costa. The training was enriched by meaningful Bible
studies and had informative and thought provoking sessions that covered all
aspects of community living, such as, healing of communities divided
by racial and ethnic conflicts; gender justice and healing of
broken families; and an overview of HIV&AIDS and healing
ministry for the disabled. The sessions were effectively handled by Rev.
Albino Pinto from Timor Lorosae, Rev. Krise Gosal from the Communion
of Churches in Indonesia and Dr. Alphinus Kambodji, CCA Consultant for
HIV&AIDS, respectively. Communicating with the participants in Bahasa
Indonesian language, made possible by Rev. Krise Gosal and Dr. Kambodji was one
of the major factors that contributed to fulfilling the goals of this training
program. The participants hoped that CCA will continue to provide more training
programs for the pastors and evangelists of the rural areas to improve their
pastoral skills. This training is part of
the CCA-FMU Ecumenical Enablers Training. CCA has been proactive in training
pastors, church leaders, youth and women leaders through very intensive courses
in similar contexts in Nepal, Cambodia and Vietnam.
posted by communications on Saturday, October 13, 2012 |
