CCA Moderator calls for renewed ecumenical vision amid changing Christian landscape in Asia

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).

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02 June 2026

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Addressing church and ecumenical leaders at the International Consultation on Ecumenism in Asia: Emerging Ecclesial and Ecumenical Landscapes, the Moderator of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza, called for a renewed ecumenical vision amid the profound changes reshaping both Asia and the ecumenical movement today.

Emphasising that churches cannot remain detached from contemporary realities, the Moderator noted, “The churches and the ecumenical movement are neither insulated nor isolated from the world. Developments within societies and local communities directly affect the mission and ministry of the Church, and the ecumenical movement cannot live in a safe cocoon.”

Bishop Marigza observed that while historic Christian traditions remain strong, Asia has witnessed the rapid growth of evangelical, Pentecostal, and independent Christian movements, contributing to both greater diversity and new challenges for Christian unity. At the same time, he noted that Asian churches are increasingly exercising indigenous leadership and taking ownership of their missionary calling.

Reflecting on the future of ecumenism in Asia, the Moderator acknowledged that institutional ecumenism faces challenges, including denominational fragmentation and difficulties in engaging younger generations. However, he highlighted that ecumenical engagement is increasingly expressed through diakonia and collaborative action addressing social justice, human rights, migration, ecological concerns, and peacebuilding.

Bishop Marigza also highlighted the growing importance of inter-religious solidarity, with Christians working alongside people of other faiths to promote peace, counter extremism, and support vulnerable communities.

Anchoring his address in Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”, the CCA Moderator called on churches to pursue a shared vision rooted in unity, justice, peace, reconciliation, and common witness.