Christian Conference of Asia
The Christian Conference of Asia is a regional ecumenical organisation representing 17 National Councils and 100 denominations (churches) in 21 countries:- Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Timor Leste.
The Christian Conference of Asia began as the East Asia Christian Conference, which was constituted by a decision of churches, national councils of churches and national Christian councils whose representatives met at Prapat, Indonesia, in March 1957. It was inaugurated at an assembly at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in May 1959. In the light of changing circumstances the 1973 Assembly, meeting in Singapore, agreed to change the name to Christian Conference of Asia (CCA). In doing so, it retained the purpose of the East Asia Christian Conference and provided for continuing work along the same or similar lines.
Purpose
Believing that the purpose of God for the church in Asia is life together in a common obedience of witness to the mission of God in the world, CCA exists as an organ and a forum of continuing cooperation among the churches and national Christian bodies in Asia within the framework of the wider ecumenical movement.
CCA is committed to the equal participation of women, men, youth, clergy and laity in church and society.
Functions
As a regional ecumenical movement, the Christian Conference of Asia continues to strive for:
- the promotion and strengthening of the unity of the church in Asia
- the exploration of opportunities and the promotion of joint action for the fulfilment of the mission of God in Asia and throughout the world
- the encouragement of an Asian contribution to Christian thought, worship and action throughout the world
- the development of mutual awareness, fellowship and sharing among the churches in the region, and of relationships with other regional ecumenical organisations and the World Council of Churches
- the promotional of common study and action in such fields as evangelism, service, social and human development and international relations
- the stimulation of initiatives and experiments in dynamic Christian living and action
- the development of effective Christian response to the challenges of the changing societies of Asia
- the development and promotion of relationships with people of other faiths in Asia
- the protection of human dignity and the promotion of caring for the creation.
Priorities
CCA seeks to act, from deep spirituality and theology, as a facilitating agent for dialogue and action on issues of common concern and for the breaking down of barriers that separate and cause division between the peoples of Asia.
Its current priorities include:
- engaging and sustaining efforts to deepen, strengthen and enliven the koinonia of Asian churches and Christian communities
- making more real the 'inclusive character of the ecumenical fellowship'
- healing some of the unfortunate divisions and separations that have occurred in the life of Asian churches and society as a result of past political and ideological conflicts
- strengthening ecumenical formation in order to make the ecumenical movement a reality to Asian churches, Christian groups and society
- pursuing further the expansion of the ecumenical fellowship in Asia to involve both Roman Catholics and evangelical churches and communities
- revitalising the ecumenical vision, thought and action in regard to the emerging challenges in the life of Asia and of Asia's place in the world.
Membership
Churches joining the CCA are those that confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the scriptures and that therefore seek to fulfil their common calling to the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. National councils or similar bodies joining CCA must be councils or bodies that approve this basis.
The CCA family includes the membership of fifteen national councils and over 100 denominations (churches) in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and East Timor.
Structure
The quinquennial Assembly, where delegates chosen by member councils and churches meet for a time of fellowship and enrichment as well as to set forth the priorities and programs for the next five years, is the supreme policy-making body, under Christ.
The General Committee is elected by the Assembly. It is composed of the elected officers and one representative from each country represented in CCA. It has the powers of the Assembly between Assembly meetings and normally meets in the year of the Assembly, and thereafter at least once in eighteen months.
The Executive Committee is elected by the General Committee and is composed of officers and three to five members of the General Committee. It meets in the years when the General Committee is not meeting and other times as required by the General Committee.
Member Churches
- Aotearoa - New Zealand (4)
- Associated Churches of Christ in New Zealand
- Methodist Church of New Zealand
- Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
- Religious Society of Friends
- Australia (5)
- Anglican Church of Australia
- Churches of Christ in Australia
- Coptic Orthodox zDiocese of Sydney & Affiliated Regions and SE Asia
- Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand
- Uniting Church in Australia
- Bangladesh (4)
- Bangladesh Baptist Fellowship
- Bangladesh Baptist Church Sangha
- Church of Bangladesh
- Evangelical Christian Church
- Hong Kong SAR, China (4)
- Church of Christ in China
- Sheng Kung Hui (Anglican Church)
- The Methodist Church, Hong Kong
- The salvation Army, Hong Kong and Macau Command
- India (12)
- Church of North India
- Church of South India
- Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India
- Hindustani Covenant Church
- Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
- Malabar Independent Syrian Church
- Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
- Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar
- Methodist Church in India
- Presbyterian Church in India
- Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches
- United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI)
- Indonesia (31)
- Banua Niha Keriso Protestan (BNKP) (Nias Protestant Christian Church)
- Gereja Batak Karo Protestan (GBKP) (Karo Batak Protestant Church)
- Gereja Isa Almasih (GIA)
- Gereja Kalimantan Evangelis (GKE) (Kalimantan Evangelical Church)
- Gereja Kristen Indonesia (GKI) (Indonesia Christian Church)
- Gereja Kristen Injili Di Tanah Papua (GKI-Tanah Papua) (Evangelical Christian Church in Tanah Papua)
- Greja Kristen Jawi Wetan (Christian Church of Eastern Java)
- Gereja Kristen Pasundan (GKP) (Pasundan Christian Church)
- Gereja Kristen Protestan Angkola (GKPA)
- Gereja Kristen Protestan Bali (GKPB) (Protestant Christian Church in Bali)
- Gereja Kristen Protestan Indonesia (GKPI) (Christian Protestant Church in Indonesia)
- Gereja Kristen Protestan Simalungun (GKPS) (Simalungun Protestant Christian Church)
- Gereja Kristen Sulawesi Tengah (GKST) (Central Sulawesi Christian Church)
- Gereja Kristen Sumba (GKS) (Christian Church of Sumba)
- Gereja Methodis Indonesia (GMI)
- Gereja Masehi Injili di Bolaang Mongondow (GMIBM)
- Gereja Masehi Injili Halmahera (GMIH)
- Gereja Masehi Injili Minahasa (GMIM) (The Christian Evangelical Church in Minahasa)
- Gereja Masehi Injili Sangihe Talaud (GMIST) (Evangelical Church of Sangir Talaud)
- Gereja Masehi Injili di Timor (GMIT) (Protestant Evangelical Church in Timor)
- Gereja Protestan di Indonesia Bagian Barat (GPIB)
- Gereja Protestan di Sulawesi Tenggara (GEPSULTRA)
- Gereja Punguan Kristen Batak (GPKB) (Batak Christian Community Church)
- Gereja Protestan Maluku (GPM) (Protestant Church in the Moluccas)
- Gereja Toraja (Toraja Church)
- Huria Kristen Batak Protestant (HKBP) (Batak Protestant Christian Church)
- Huria Kristen Indonesia (HKI) (The Indonesian Christian Church)
- Kerapatan Gereja Protestan Minahasa
- Persatuan Gereja Gereja Kristen Muria Indonesia (GKMI)
- Sinode Gerejagereja Kristen Jawa (GKJ) (Javanese Christian Churches)
- Sinode Gereja Kristen Oikoumene di Indonesia (GKO) (The Synod of the Oikoumene Christian Church in Indonesia)
- Iran (1)
- Armenian Orthodox Church of Iran
- Japan (3)
- Korean Christian Church in Japan
- Nihon Kirisuto Kyodan (United Church of Christ in Japan)
- Nippon Sei Ko Kai (Anglican)
- Korea (7)
- Anglican Church in Korea
- Korean Evangelical Churches
- Korean Methodist Church
- Nawoon Evangelical Church
- Presbyterian Church of Korea
- Salvation Army
- Laos (1)
- Malaysia (3)
- Anglican Church of Malaysia
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia and Singapore
- Methodist Church Malaysia
- Myanmar (7)
- Myanmar Baptist Convention
- Church of the Province of Myanmar
- Independent Presbyterian Church of Myanmar
- Mara Evangelical Church
- Methodist Church, Lower Myanmar
- Methodist Church, Upper Myanmar
- Presbyterian Church of Myanmar
- Pakistan (2)
- Philippines (8)
- Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches
- Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas (Evangelical Methodist Church in the Philippines)
- Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Cristo
- Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church)
- The Episcopal Church in the Philippines
- Lutheran Church in the Philippines
- United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)
- The United Methodist Church in the Philippines
- Sri Lanka (3)
- Anglican Church in Sri Lanka
- Baptist Sangamaya, Sri Lanka
- Methodist Church of Sri Lanka
- Taiwan (3)
- Anglican Episcopal Church
- Methodist Church in the Republic of China
- Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
- Thailand (1)
- East Timor (1)
- Igreja Protestante Timor Loro Sae (IPTL)
Member Councils
- Te Runanga Whakawhanaunga I Nga Hahi O Aotearoa
- National Council of Churches in Australia
- Bangladesh National Council of Churches
- National Christian Council of Bhutan
- Hong Kong Christian Council
- National Council of Churches in India
- Communion of Churches in Indonesia
- National Christian Council in Japan
- Kampuchea Christian Council
- National Council of Churches in Korea
- Council of Churches of Malaysia
- Myanmar Council of Churches
- National Council of Churches of Nepal
- National Council of Churches in Pakistan
- National Council of Churches in the Philippines
- National Christian Council of Sri Lanka
- National Council of Churches of Taiwan
Ecumenical Links
- CCA website
- Asia-Pacific Alliance of YMCAs
- Association of Evangelical Churches in Asia
- Federation of Asian Bishops Conference
- World Council of Churches
- World Student Christian Federation