The book scrupulously covers the concept of mission and ecumenism of the Christian
Conference of Asia (CCA) from 1957 to 2007. CCA is the foremost representative body of the
Christian communities in Asia, and time and again stands for the socio-economic, political
and cultural renewal of the Asians. The struggle for and attainment of stability by the
people of Asia on different grounds has awakened the hitherto submerged peoples of Asia to
a new sense of dignity.
CCA has called the churches in Asia to be in unity, not only across different ecclesial
and theological traditions, but also across national and political boundaries; religious,
cultural and ethnic barriers; and socio-economic demarcations. Understanding the mission
concept in a multi-cultural and post-colonial world means that mission must be seen in a
multi-dimensional angle. In such a situation, CCA has been a vital instrument in bringing
up the human communities in Asia, by strengthening ecumenical life at the local, national
and regional levels thereby deciding the future of ecumenical life at the global level.
The main feature of the Asian ecumenical movement through the life and work of the CCA is
people-centered. Therefore, the church should play a decisive role in each society,
according to the needs and necessities of the region.
CCA clearly affirms that mission is the proclamation of the Gospel, to ecumenically
address the issues and struggles of the communities based anywhere on Asian soil. To
achieve this mission agenda, the Christian communities in Asia require ecumenical
commitment and theological expression as against the traditional view of missiological
articulation. The author strongly believes that the CCA could meet this requirement
through its evolutionary understanding of mission.
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Acknowledgement
1. Introduction
2. Asian Background : An Overview
3. Missionary Movements and the Ecumenical Beginning
4. The Christian Conference of Asia : Its Life and Work
5. Concept of Mission of the Christian Conference of Asia
6. Ecumenical Concerns and Challenges in Asia
7. Conclusion
Bibliography
Rev. Dr. N. B. Gladstone Robert is a presbyter of the Church of South
India (CSI), South Kerala Diocese, currently engaged in pastoral ministry. He has a wide
range of theological learning from prestigious institutions such as the United Theological
College (UTC), Bangalore for the programmes of Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) and Master of
Theology (M.Th) in History of Christianity; Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey,
USA for Master of Theology (Th. M) in Ecumenics; and Mission and the Federated Faculty for
Research in Religion and Culture (FFRRC), Serampore University, India, for Doctor of
Theology (D.Th). His passion is for the growth of ecumenical life and mission in Asian
context. Presently, he is also involved in theological education as a visiting faculty at
several theological colleges in India under the Senate of Serampore and the Asia
Theological Association (ATA). His wife, Rema. S. T. is professionally a teacher and two
daughters, G. R. Anju and G. R. Alma are students.
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