Peace Building Training for Church Workers in Asia

Churches mission in peace building and peace theology offer a way of life that extends beyond traditional concepts of churches’ preaching and teaching on peace and reconciliation. As the conflicts and violence in Asia are increasing these days, more churches in different Asian countries are actively participating in reconciliation mission in their local contexts as part of their faith and witness. However, the churches’ peace building mission needs to be adequately equipped for which systematic engagement of learning and training has to be arranged.  Potential and prospective leaders in peace building are to be identified and trained in order to undertake and implement the peace building mission successfully. Although the concept of knowledge about peace building is growing, a lack of clarity about what makes peace building in local context effective as part of churches’ mission persists. This becomes more relevant when churches live as minorities amidst majority religious communities. Although considerable knowledge exists at different levels, it does not permeate in the peace building ministry of churches or ecumenical organizations. This situation warrants the need for a systematic approach in peace building by churches engaged in their local contexts. The new initiative of CCA in developing a peace building training for church workers and peace activists within the broader ambit of peace will aim to provide opportunities to enhance the understanding of sustainable peace building and leadership. With its focus on training for church workers and activists from the church backgrounds, the proposed program will also engage representatives from other faiths.

The role of CCA in this context will be to facilitate a series of training in different countries in collaboration with other ecumenical actors and players involved in peace building, to develop the capacity and enhance the competency of church workers in peace building and reconciliation initiatives of churches in conflict affected societies.