Christian Conference of Asia 10 20 A C C Prophesy, reconcile and heal Volume 45 Number 1 March 2010 Editorial $ uring the tragic civil war in Lebanon, a young Christian training for the ministry \ Dwas walking from one village to the next They certainly seem to be part of the life of when he was ambushed by an armed Druze churches as well. So the question we must militia. The Druze ordered his captive down face is not whether we will disagree from time the mountain trail to a spot where he was to time, but how we can do so with reconciling to be executed. But the Christian, who had aims. This is a particular challenge for the also received military training, surprised his ecumenical movement, which has as major captor and was able to disarm him. Now, the goals the attainment of Christian unity and the tables were turned, and it was the Druze who protection and promotion of human dignity. was ordered down the trail. As they walked, \ One of the most important ways of promoting what was happening. reconciliation and healing is to build a strong sense of global solidarity. We need to have Recalling the words of Jesus, "Love your a strong sense of global solidarity between enemies; do good to those who hate you." His rich and poor countries, as well as within anger softened and he found he could go no individual countries. Globalization eliminates further. Throwing the gun into the bushes, he certain barriers, but is still able to build new told the Druze he was free to go. He turned ones. It brings peoples together, but spatial round and began climbing up the hill. Minutes and temporal proximity does not of itself later, he heard footsteps running behind him. create the conditions for true communion and "Is this the end?" he wondered, thinking his authentic peace. Effective means to redress enemy had retrieved the gun and was about the marginalization of the world's poor through [ globalization will only be found if people on, never glancing back. Suddenly his captor everywhere feel personally outraged by the grabbed his arm and embraced him and in injustices in the world and by the concomitant tears poured out thanks for sparing his life. violations of human rights. Mercy is often garbed in the clothes of In these situations, the churches, as forgiveness. mandated by divine faith, have a special role and responsibility in promoting peace, Global communities continue to live in a reconciliation and healing the world. As \ churches we are called to be prophetic are crying for genuine peace and a just and witnesses and builders of peace, for “Blessed sustainable society in every global corner. are the peacemakers, for they will be called \ children of God.” (Matthew 5:9). We are also wars, violence and threats to peace and %R human security in the context of natural justice (Micah 6:8). [ according to the UN, will further aggravate Churches are called to speak and join their !R voices together to effect social transformation in a way that reconciles and heals our The lack of peace is evident in the negative &%R impact of economic globalization that peace has a special role in pursuing human continues to widen the gap between the rich dignity, protecting basic human rights and and the poor in many countries and between bringing fullness of life to the people who are the developed and developing nations. There exploited and rejected. The Church, which is is also political and structural violence carried the sign of communion with God and of the out by dictatorial or negligent governments, unity of the entire human race will continue $ to offer her contributions so that justice may ethnic or religious differences. Corruption \ in places of authority and the use of military solidarity. might to curtail dissent only creates more unrest and violence. * 2 CCA News March 2010 In this issue Editorial 2 Volume 45 Number 1 March 2010 The 13th CCA General Assembly 4 + Christian Conference of Asia +-!/7<= Muang, Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand &>@FFK<PQ<XYFZ [!>@FFK<PQZ<Y< Email: [email protected] Website: www.cca.org.hk ]: * Editorial Committee: In focus Moumita Biswas $[ /Y Liza Lamis Worship and Bible Studies 15 Charlie Ocampo ^*__ Gender justice in the grassroots 16 A world free of nuclear weapons 18 Saying no to militarism 20 Church leaders support peace talks 22 `\ {R|$ PQ Accompanying the migrant workers 26 Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in the articles Newsbriefs 28 of this publication do not necessarily \ Book review 30 CCA News March 2010 3 In focus The 13th CCA General Assembly a theological rationale he CCA General Assembly held them, to motivate the member churches and $ [ $ councils to grasp the overall vision which Tapex point of the life of the CCA. The comes out of the Assembly to be in mission, General Assembly is the supreme body of and to equip the churches to exercise a the CCA and it attempts to bring together prophetic, reconciling and a healing ministry the representation of the Asian ecumenical within their own constituencies and beyond. family. Therefore, when it gathers once in [$ In addition to the worship, there will be four thrust of the ecumenical movement for years $- to come. The basic purposes of the Assembly by four persons from the different regions of are mentioned in the CCA Constitution, which CCA in order to give the participatory and says: the regional balance which is also enshrined in the CCA Constitution. We have requested 1. The main functions of the Assembly are: the four facilitators of the Bible studies to give a. to celebrate the unity of the Church in a biblical exposition to the Assembly theme. Asia in worship, study and action They are assigned to conduct the studies on >OPO$P b. to express the common vision of the “Reconcile” and “Heal”. We hope that the churches for the direction and mission of worship services and the Bible studies will the CCA be conducted in a manner that inspires and c. to review the mission and receive the motivates people to go through a process of work of the CCA carried out through its [ programs, and to set general directions change what needs to be changed and let go for the future programs of the CCA what has to be discarded. We hope that the d. to speak on public issues when Word of God will challenge the participants to necessary be faithful to the Word of God and go through a conversion experience. P&$ and the Honorary Treasurer. The Assembly In addition to formal worship and Bible shall also elect the General Committee and studies, we have decided to set apart a room for prayer which will be kept open all the time during the Assembly for private prayer and The question is how does the Assembly meditation. In addition, we will also assign two carry out what is required by the Constitution persons (woman and man) to act as Chaplain/ and how do we theologically justify the Counselor. constitutional requirement? This paper is a response to these two questions and provides The D. T. Niles Lectures a guideline to those who are interested in Two D. T. Niles Lectures will hopefully be a such guidelines. point where churches will be challenged to wrestle with the issues related to the Assembly &+ &[$| Assembly |& During the Assembly the items (a) and (b) in %R $ section 1 will be addressed in part through its implications for Christian witness and truth the four Bible studies which will be conducted telling amidst forces of death and life denying during morning worship. We are making forces. The speaker is also expected to give a preparations for the worship to be indigenous biblical exposition on the prophetic movement as well as to focus and draw insights from during biblical times and state the mind of God $ O $ in raising prophets and their challenge to the Reconcile and Heal”. The attempt is to inspire institutionalized religion which had become and motivate the participants and through % = 4 CCA News March 2010 Using this biblical model the speaker is Hopefully, this lecture may also challenge and also expected to challenge and expose the expose churches where they have become hypocrisy of the churches in Asia and call the obstacles or are insensitive to ministries of churches to repentance and accountability, reconciliation and healing, purely because of and to walk with God by identifying with their captivity to cultic and institutional forms %R$ of ministry and their refusal to go beyond and QR& embrace the pain of people which is also Q R $ %R _[ to challenge and call the ecclesia to become It is expected that the two speakers will the authentic ecclesia of the oikoumene. This provide a biblical, theological and a pastoral is the costly nature of discipleship and the dimension to the churches to be the Church challenge to the Church is to live according in Asia, and to provide the impetus to the to its call and to be and become a credible churches to imitate the life and ministry of witness to the Gospel amidst the brokenness Jesus the Christ who called his followers to of the world. be his witnesses. Would you commit ‘to make caring for creation a mission priority R? Cyclone Nargis victims in a _R meeting in Myanmar. The intention of the second D. T. Niles Lecture Sermon at the Opening Worship to be delivered by Dr. Ruth Manorama of India { $ is to focus on the reconciling and healing Reverend Roger Herft delivers his sermon %R$! at the opening session he, too, will set the \_& theological and biblical tone with a vision of this lecture is relevant for all of us who live for the entire Assembly and empower the in Asia.