CCA General Secretary calls for authentic, transformative diakonia at Asian Church Leaders’ Conference on Ecumenical Diakonia
Participants of the Asian Church Leaders’ Conference on Ecumenical Diakonia
Chiang Mai, Thailand: At the Asian Church Leaders’ Conference on Ecumenical Diakonia: Accompaniment, Solidarity, and Participation in God’s Mission, Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) General Secretary Dr Mathews George Chunakara called on churches in Asia to develop coordinated and transformative approaches to diakonia, highlighting Asian churches’ substantial yet often underutilised capacities to be engaged in the face of the region’s complex social and political challenges.
The conference began on 21 November with the opening worship and a thematic address by the General Secretary at the CCA headquarters in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Dr Mathews George Chunakara began by highlighting the concept and theological foundation of diakonia, offering an overview of global and regional ecumenical diakonal efforts, and recalled the reflections of the late lamented Metropolitan Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios who had earlier articulated four essential conditions for authentic Christian diakonia: the willingness to suffer with those whom one serves; humility and respect rather than superiority or condescension; refraining from using diakonia as an opportunity for domination or privilege; and the willingness to identify with the served, even to the extent of laying down one’s life for their sake.
Dr Chunakara emphasised that authentic diakonia extends far beyond the giving of money in the name of charity, goods, or shared resources. True diakonal ministry requires taking upon oneself the suffering of others and setting aside self-sufficiency in order to share in the helplessness and needs experienced by those served.
“If diakonia comes from attitudes of superiority or is offered with strings attached, it generates unpleasant and unhealthy relations and reactions. Any form of service that makes the recipient feel inferior or dependent cannot be considered Christian. Such attitudes, which still prevail in diakonia, especially in ecumenical circles, often create resentment among different cultures because they compel those at the receiving end to surrender their dignity in exchange for financial aid,” said Dr Mathews George Chunakara, who coordinated the World Council of Churches’ Round Tables for ecumenical sharing of resources in Asia for several years.
The CCA General Secretary further reiterated that diakonia demands a form of giving that comes not merely from material resources but from the very identity and character of the church and its members. This requires ongoing reflection and reinterpretation of the spiritual and theological dimensions of diakonia, ensuring its relevance in today’s complex global and local contexts.
Reflecting on the Asian context, Dr Chunakara noted that the region’s history of ecumenical accompaniment bears witness to the commitment of Asian churches to stand with communities striving for peace with justice, human rights, human dignity, reconciliation, and healing. He affirmed that participation in struggles for justice and peace is itself a proclamation of the Gospel. As a core component of the church’s identity, diakonia is not optional but an essential expression of Christian discipleship, reaching all persons created in God’s image. “While diakonia begins as unconditional service to neighbours in need, it inevitably leads to prophetic witness for social transformation that restores, reforms, and renews societies and communities”, stated Dr Chunakara.
The CCA General Secretary also noted that, in the emerging contexts of Asia, the question arises of how to develop effective ways of accompanying the struggles of millions seeking peace with justice. This calls for a coherent approach to Asian churches’ engagement in diakonia and prophetic witness, and for better coordination of ecumenical accompaniment within Asia and beyond.
Asian churches possess substantial yet often underutilised capacities and resources for transformative diakonia. Dr Chunakara emphasised that unlocking and strengthening these indigenous capacities is essential for ensuring long-term sustainability, nurturing a stronger sense of ownership among Asian churches, and enhancing the contextual relevance of their diakonal ministry and ongoing engagement, supported by adequate capacities within local congregations.
The Asian Church Leaders’ Conference on Ecumenical Diakonia, being held from 21 to 24 November 2025, is part of an ongoing process of reflection and capacity-building initiatives undertaken in the area of ecumenical diakonia in collaboration with the World Council of Churches. The conference is expected to identify priorities for Asia and seeks to foster deeper collaboration, resource-sharing within the region, and continued theological reflection among CCA’s member churches and councils.
As mandated by the CCA General Assembly and the Executive Committee, the church leaders’ conference will work out modalities for initiating a regional platform to strengthen ecumenical diakonia in Asia, covering multiple areas of diakonal engagement within local churches.
More than fifty participants including church leaders, theologians, missiologists, coordinators of diakonal departments from various churches, and development practitioners are attending the conference.
The conference will conclude on 24 November 2025.
