An Easter Message 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.

01 April 2007
christian conference of Asia, Asia christianity

"'Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? He is not here; he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was in Galilee. The Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.'" (Luke 24:5b-7)

At a time of so much turmoil, conflict, and seemingly insurmountable difficulties, the message of Easter serves as a beacon of hope for those who are followers of Christ's Way.

The Way of Christ Jesus was:

"to bring good news to the poor;
to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind;
to set free the oppressed and announce that the time has come
when the Lord will save his people." (Luke 4:18-19)

It was because of that Way of life, service and ministry that he was arrested, tortured, and crucified. It was because of that Way that he was called names – a drunkard, mixing with sinners, blasphemer, even mockingly as "king of the Jews".

Today, many who have committed themselves to this Way also walk the path of name calling, mockery, arrest, torture, and summary killing. It is happening to many followers of the Way in various countries of Asia, especially in the Philippines. Their disappearance or death, caused by the desire of the powers-that-be to snuff out any opposition or movements for justice and people's empowerment will dampen the spirit of many people. But the message of Easter comes out loud through the perseverance of those deeply committed to Christ's Way: "Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive?"

The question reminds all the followers of the Way that death does not have the final word. The cause of justice is not snuffed out by the powers-that-be. And thus, the good news of Christ's resurrection becomes the source of empowerment itself for others to take up and continue Christ's cause.

Many other countries in Asia – such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, Timor Leste, to name a few – are sites of continuing conflict and lack of peace. In such situations, the query, "Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive?" becomes an urgent call for followers of Christ's way to continue the work that Christ began.

As members of the Christian Conference of Asia, let us encourage each other to continue the work that Christ began. May God give us the courage and wisdom to make us worthy of such a call and a task.

May the Divine Peace of Easter fill our hearts with joy and hope.

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary, CCA