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Christian Conference of Asia
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Living
letters to China Christian Council
26-28 October 2012
The
CCA General Secretary conveyed her heartfelt greetings on behalf of the CCA
members to CCC, thanked CCC for their warm hospitality and expressed a strong
desire of the CCA to strengthen its relationship with CCC. She further mentioned
that as a fellowship of Asian churches, CCA needs to be closely related to the
churches in Asia beyond its present membership. She noted the important role
that was played by the church leaders in China especially in the beginning of
ecumenical movement in Asia. Further she underlined that a strong bond of
churches in China with the rest of Asian churches is considered crucial
especially in this juncture of time when we as churches in Asia are facing
interrelated issues that have emerged in our Asian communities. The changing
Asian realities demands, more than before, to strongly collaborate in
responding to common challenges of globalization in Asia today and in
accompanying the Asian churches to witness Christ from within Asian experiences
and spiritualities. The leadership of
CCC expressed their openness and shared the same need to relate with the
churches in Asia, and welcome the visit of their sisters and brothers in Christ
particularly from Asia.
It
was a delightful opportunity to meet Rev. Dr. Cao Shengjie, a former President of CCC,
and to worship together with the local congregation at Grace Church on Sunday, 28th
October. This congregation has around 10,000 members, served by 5 pastors and
supported by a strong lay leadership and a team of elders.
The
team was able to visit East China Theological Seminary and meet with the
President, a few faculty members and students in the midst of their sports day
activities. They said that it was an enriching time to get to know more about
theological education in China and their focus on preparing pastors for local
congregations, as there is a need for more pastors. They also discussed
possible collaborations of the theological institutions in China and the rest
of Asian countries in the near future. Another visit was made to the International Church in Shanghai, a congregation
which retains its uniqueness as an international Christian fellowship.
Though
it was a brief visit the team felt that it meant a lot in strengthening further
co-operation of CCA and CCC. It is hoped
that in the near future CCA can be instrumental in building the fellowship of
churches including theological institutions in China with the rest of Asia, in
their journeying together, to manifest and witness more clearly the oneness of
the body of Christ in life.
posted by communications on Thursday, November 08, 2012 |
