A Christmas Message from the Officers of the CCA

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)
01 December 2004
christian conference of Asia, Asia christianity

"Do not be afraid; for see -- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11, NRSV)

Just as the first Christmas happened at a time of great fear and uncertainty, so this year's Christmas comes at a time of continuing threat to life's dignity, security and sustainability in the wake of massive poverty, widespread unemployment, increasing incidence of violence, not only against humanity but also against the whole web of life including ecology.

It is significant that the first Christmas message should begin with the statement, "Do not be afraid" for the peace of imperial Rome did not bring about true peace for the people who were colonized, devastated, and impoverished. Still today, the peoples in Asia have to contend with imperial powers and dominating tendencies within as well as between their countries.

It is significant that the first Christmas message to the people should begin with, "Do not be afraid" for the good news promised reversals in the state of things, and that would have been upsetting to the status quo. Yet the good news is too hard to come by these days in the midst of advanced information technology but also the proliferation of misinformation and false information, if not lack of information.

It is significant that the first Christmas message should begin with "Do not be afraid" for the sharing of the good news of fullness of life for all people requires enduring faithfulness, daring commitment and courageous risk-taking.

We hope that the member churches and national councils of churches of the Christian Conference of Asia will indeed find strength and hope in this assurance, call and challenge "not to be afraid" and so participate in the life and work of the Messiah and bearer of the good news not only during this Christmas season but also into the New Year.

As we look forward to 2005, may we indeed be assured of the gift of peace that Christ gives. It is a gift, which is also our task, as we commit ourselves together to "Building Communities of Peace for All".

Wish you a meaningful Christmas and a New Year filled with peace and grace!

Members of the Presidium
Jennifer Dawson (Aotearoa--New Zealand)
Wong Wai Ching (Hong Kong)
Joseph Mar Irenaeus (India)
Anthony Row (Malaysia)
Honorary Treasurer
Israel Paulraj (Sri Lanka)
General Secretary
Ahn Jae Woong (Korea)