Christmas Greetings 2007

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).

No preference updated.

13 December 2007
christian conference of Asia, Asia christianity

"Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those with whom he is pleased” [Lk. 2:14]

On this joyous occasion of the sweet remembrance of Lord Jesus who brought Light to the world, I wish you all a merry Christmas and bright and happy New Year full of new aspirations to fulfill the mission of God.

The true spirit of Christmas reflects our dedication to helping those in need, to giving hope to those in despair, and to spreading peace and understanding throughout the Earth. As we share love and enjoy the spirit of Christmas, may we bring back into focus the significance of Lord Jesus’ arrival into this world. May we find ways to freely extend ourselves to those who struggle for peace, justice and hope.

The angels have once again become recognized as our heavenly guides calling us to examine our souls, to improve our treatment of our fellow human beings, to resist passing judgment on others, and to put aside intolerance and prejudice in favor of becoming more loving and forgiving. They have given us warnings, admonitions, prophetic messages, visions, and even physical assistance.
God's gift to us is a transformed heart- a transformation of our deepest being. It is a transformation that leads us to know and to love our Creator and our neighbors. The birth of Jesus brought about the end of our alienation from God. It brought about reconciliation to God and among His creation.

The true meaning of Christmas is that Lord Jesus, our savior has come to us in the midst of the battle for our lives and souls, the battle for true peace, joy and love.

"God sent his only son to the tenants. “I am sure they will respect my son,” God said. But those tenants said to one another, “This is the owner’s son. Come on, let’s kill him and his property will be ours” So they seized the son and killed him and threw his body out of the vineyard (Mk. 12: 6-8)

Let our hearts be freed of evil,
Let our hearts be filled with love and affection,
Let our songs glorify the Lord.
Let our Christmas message be clear,

There will be peace.
There will be liberation.
There will be freedom.
There will be hope.
Rejoice, Christ, our Lord and Savior, is born.

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary
Christian Conference of Asia