59th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT)

Programme Review and Programme Direction

Two key deliberative sessions during the 15th CCA General Assembly are the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions.

The Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions will both be conducted in three groups relating to the CCA’s programme areas, namely, (i) General Secretariat (GS), (ii) Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF); and (iii) Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia (PD).

Assembly participants will have the option to join one of three groups for both the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions. For the sake of coherence, the assigned group will remain the same for both sessions.

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat oversees the coordination of programmatic, administrative, and financial activities of the organization. The GS comprises various departments such as church and ecumenical relations, relations with ecumenical partners, finance, administration, and communications, which provide crucial support and services for the implementation of programs and contribute to the overall functioning of the CCA.

Programmes: Relations with member churches and councils, ecumenical partners; advocacy at the United Nations; ecumenical responses to emerging issues in solidarity; income development and finance; and communications.

Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF)

Under the MU programme area, the CCA accompanies Asian churches to strengthen their mission and witness in multi-religious contexts, revitalise and nurture church unity and the Asian ecumenical movement, and develop contextual theological foundations.

Programmes: Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU); Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS); Asian women doing theology in the context of wider ecumenism; contextualisation of theology in Asia and ecumenical theological education.

The EF programme area focuses on nurturing and developing ecumenical leaders in Asia. The programme aims to enhance spiritual formation and theological understanding, enabling people to actively engage in ecumenical dialogue and collaboration.

Programmes: Ecumenical Enablers’ Training in Asia (EETA); Asian Ecumenical Institute (AEI); Youth and Women Leadership Development; Ecumenical Spirituality and Nurturing of Contextual Liturgical Traditions; Asia Sunday

Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia and Advocacy (PD)

The BP programme area is dedicated to promoting peace, justice, and reconciliation in Asia’s diverse contexts. Through training, advocacy, and dialogue, the programme addresses the root causes of conflicts, empowers communities, and fosters sustainable peacebuilding initiatives.

Programmes: Pastoral Solidarity Visits; Churches in Action for Moving Beyond Conflict and Resolution; Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia (YAPA); Ecumenical Women’s Action Against Violence (EWAAV); Eco-Justice for Sustainable Peace in the Oikos.

The PD programme area focuses on promoting justice, human rights, and social transformation in Asia. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and raising awareness, the programme addresses systemic injustice, empowers marginalised communities, and advocates for prophetic actions and meaningful change.

Programmes: Human Rights advocacy; Migration, Statelessness, and Trafficking in Persons; Asian Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network; Asian Advocacy Network on the Dignity and Rights of Children (AANDRoC); Ecumenical Solidarity Accompaniment and Diakonia in Asia (ESADA); Health and Healing; Good Governance; Action Together to Combat HIV and AIDS in Asia (ATCHAA).

First Preference:
Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia and Advocacy (PD)
Second Preference:
Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF)
14 May 2014
christian conference of Asia, Asia christianity

Gospel Rooted in this Land – Church the Sign of Hope
59th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT)
22–25 April 2014, Tainan, Taiwan

The Presbyterian Church of Taiwan held its 59th General Assembly at the Chang-Jung Girls’ School in Tainan City, Southern Taiwan from 22–25 April 2014 under the theme, “Gospel Rooted in this Land – Church the Sign of Hope.”

The General Secretary of CCA, Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang brought greetings on behalf of the CCA members and ecumenical partners of PCT. Commending the PCT on its active involvement in building partnership with the churches, she said, “We, your ecumenical partners, value very much the contribution of PCT to the ecumenical ministry in Asia and globally. We deeply appreciate your active involvement in building partnership with the churches in Asia and beyond. In the Assembly 2012 it was a privilege for me to witness the signing up of partnership between PCT and Basel Church in Malaysia especially related to the translation of the Bible into Hakka language.

In this Assembly, we will witness the signing of another partnership, between Presbyterian Church and Toraja Church from Indonesia. As an ordained minister of Toraja Church, I am personally delighted to be part of this special occasion. This partnership, I believe, is an expression of the oneness of the churches as the body of Christ beyond differences. In such a time as this, when our societies are being fragmented, and nations are competing and fighting against each other, we the churches are called to proclaim the good news of peace and justice for all in this world.”

This year the PCT celebrates 60 years of its ministry among and with the indigenous communities in Taiwan. A new Bible translation in Tsou language, one of the tribal languages in Taiwan, was launched and a new Hakka language hymn book was dedicated.

Appreciating the efforts of PCT with regard to concerns of the indigenous, Dr. Lebang said, “I am impressed with your special attention to the indigenous communities and your efforts to incorporate the indigenous cultures and spirituality which are rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the theology and ministry of PCT. Congratulations on the celebration of 60 years in this journey.”

One of the highlights of the Assembly was a special lecture of Dr. Lee Teng-Hui, a former president of Taiwan. He shared his life testimony on how the Word of God has become the source of strength and stimulation for him, especially in his public ministry. The Assembly admired the passion of Dr. Lee Teng-Hui, who even at the age of 91, stood for more than an hour and delivered a rich and inspirational speech.

The PCT will celebrate its 150th Anniversary culminating with a public worship on Easter Sunday, 5 April 2015, followed by the 60th General Assembly to be held from 7-10 April 2015. Let us continue to uphold PCT and their ministry to proclaim the values of the kingdom of God in Taiwan and beyond.
Rev. Dr. Henriette H. Lebang
CCA General Secretary