New CCA Programme Committee begins its first meeting for setting priorities and strategic programme planning
Medan, Indonesia: The first meeting of the newly constituted Programme Committee of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) was opened in a solemn inaugural session organised according to the traditional Batak welcome ceremony arranged at the Universitas HKBP Nommensen in Medan, Indonesia.
The programme committee meeting hosted by CCA member church, the HKBP and its Nommensen University will be taking place at the University Hall and at the Grand Mercure Hotel from 2 to 6 May 2024.
The CCA Programme Committee’s main sessions are expected to focus on reviewing CCA’s current programme structure and programme priorities in the context of the recommendations by the 15th General Assembly. A new strategic programme plan for the period 2025 to 2028 based on the programme reviews and future direction proposals discussed at the Kottayam Assembly will be worked out as per the agenda of the programme committee meeting.
The meeting, attended by 16 representatives from CCA member churches and councils, and members of CCA working groups, will provide opportunities for conversations and planning sessions based on programmatic thrusts and proposals.
The Batak Christian Protestant Church (HKBP), a CCA member church, and its higher education institution, the Universitas HKBP Nommensen, hosted a reception in the afternoon of 2 May 2024.
Rev. Dr Victor Tinambunan, General Secretary of the HKBP, and Dr Richard A.M. Napitupulu, Rector of Universitas HKBP Nommensen, greeted and welcomed the participants.
Bishop Dr Kuriakose Mor Theophilus, Chairperson of the programme committee, delivered the opening address and expressed the hope that the members’ diverse backgrounds and abilities would allow them to make significant contributions to the task of developing a new strategic programme plan for the next four years.
Dr Mathews George Chunakara, CCA General Secretary, in his introductory address, explained the Programme Committee’s roles and objectives as well as the constitutional mandates, and modalities of its function. The Committee’s task is to assist the CCA in implementation of programmes.
The CCA General Secretary also said that the programme committee would have a role in exploring emerging economic, social, religious, political, and environmental trends in Asia.,
Rev. Jung Eun Grace Moon, CCA Programme Coordinator presented the CCA Programme structure with four priorities areas: Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU), Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Ecumenical Spirituality (EF), Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP), and Prophetic Diakonia and Advocacy (PD).
The second day’s sessions will start with a presentation on analysing Asia’s geopolitical trends and the changing ecclesial landscape.
The meeting is being attended by 16 programme committee members and programme staff of CCA.
Photo Gallery, please click here: CCA Programme Committee Meeting 2024 Day 1