A handbook of councils and churches profiles of ecumenical relationships
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BANGLADESH Population : 152,592,662 Surface area: 1,44 million sq.km Capital: Dakha GNI per capita: 400 US$ Classification: Least developed country Languages: Bangla, English Religions: Muslim 86%; Hindu 12%; Christian 0,4 %; Buddhist 1% Christianity: Catholics 276,844; Protestants 206,601; Independent 165,710 Bangladesh is one of the least developed and most densely populated countries in Asia. The country and the people have thousands of years of history behind them. Hindu and Buddhist traders originally settled the area. Islam arrived during the 13th century, and Bengal became part of the Moghul empire. Known as East Pakistan following the partition of the Indian sub-continent in 1947, the country went through a succession of upheavals. The first, in 1952, was the struggle to retain and honour the mother tongue Bangla of the Bengalis. The outcome of this language movement established the ground for the struggle for independence, in 1964, 1969, and finally in 1971, when Bangladesh achieved its sovereignty after a bloody liberation war against Pakistan. Bangladesh is a low-lying country with an extensive network of rivers, which determine much of the socio-economic life of the nation. Each year about a third of the country is subject to major flooding, tropical storms, tidal waves, and cyclones. Islam became the state religion in 1988. Christians form a tiny minority. Most of the churches belong to the evangelical family. Besides the National Council of Churches there is a National Christian Fellowship, affiliated with the WEA.
Founded in 1949 as the East Pakistan Christian Council. It became the National Council of Churches – Bangladesh after the independence of the country in 1971. Basis: The member churches hold the faith that the church ever held in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, in whom men and women are saved by grace through faith, in accordance with the revelation of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. They accept the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as containing all things necessary to salvation and as the ultimate standard of faith. Member churches: Bangladesh Baptist Church Sangha Bangladesh Evangelical Holiness Church Bangladesh Methodist Church Bogra Christio Mondoli Church of Bangladesh Church of Christ Church of God Gospel for Bangladesh Churches Hill Tracts Presbyterian Church United Church of Bangladesh Associate member bodies: Bangladesh Bible Society Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh Christian Medical Association Bangladesh Community Health Care Project Dishari Foundation Ecumenical Social Action Group Bangladesh Baptist Church Sangha Church Family: Baptist Membership: 17,196 Regional Districts: 10 Local churches: 329 Pastors: 80 Member of: WCC (1976) – CCA – NCCB – BWA – ABF The Baptist Church Sangha is the oldest and largest Protestant denomination in Bangladesh. Its origins go back to the work started by Dr William Carey in 1796. Later, Baptist Missionary Societies from New Zealand and Australia began working in East Bengal (now Bangladesh). The church was one community until the separation of India and Pakistan in 1948. In 1971, with the creation of Bangladesh, it took the name Bangladesh Baptist Church Sangha. Right from the start, the BBCS has been involved in spiritual and social development, through various programmes. The life and witness of the local churches is sustained by Sunday school, youth activities and women’s programmes. Women are the most active members of the church. They organize activities in the cities and villages, like Bible study, prayer and singing, discussion of problems related to drug addic- Asia
tion and HIV/AIDS, family relationships, etc. The Baptist theological academy trains pastors, deacons and lay leaders. It teaches the Baptist doctrine, the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, pastors’ character and calling. The BBCS does not have enough pastors to look after all the local churches. Therefore lay leaders, young people and women are encouraged to follow courses by theological extension education, under the supervision of the Bangladesh Christian College of Theology. Currently there are 259 students; four graduated in 2003 and work as pastors. Evangelism is difficult in Bangladesh which is an Islamic country. However the BBCS has established 22 churches among the Santal tribal people and 17 among the Mru in the Bandarban Hills. People are very poor and illiterate, and are struggling to maintain their spiritual values. Proper values will help to develop the churches and the communities. The church is also participating in the hostel programme for students at college and university level. It is concerned with the opportunities of higher education for the poor. In the area of health care, the BBCS supports a wide range of activities, including a hospital, a leprosy hospital, four clinics and an educational programme. The church runs two high schools for girls and boys, a junior high school, 64 primary schools, a school for blind girls, two children’s homes with schools, and four hostels. Church of Bangladesh* Church Family: United and Uniting Membership: 15,622 Parishes: 71 Bishops: 2 Pastors: 32 Member of: WCC (1975) – CCA – NCCB – ACC Periodical: Kapot (bi-monthly, in Bangla) Janasuna (monthly, in Bangla) The church grew out of the work started in the late 19th century by the Church Missionary Society, the Oxford Mission to Calcutta and the English Presbyterian Society. The Anglican Church in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was under the Diocese of Calcutta until 1951, when the Diocese of Dhaka became part of the Anglican Church in Pakistan. Under the Church Union plan of 1965 the Church of Pakistan was created (1970). When Bangladesh achieved its independence in 1971 the Dhaka Diocese became an autonomous church under the name Church of Bangladesh, bringing together the Anglican and Presbyterian churches. In the late 1980s a second diocese was created, which completed the status of the Church of Bangladesh as a national and united church in conformity with the Church Union plan. The church understands its mission as proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, responding to human needs, striving to build a more just society and preserving the integrity of God’s creation. In the aftermath of the war for independence which caused enormous damage to the country and the people, and while the nation was just starting its recovery process, the newly emerged leadership of the Church of Bangladesh had to face these realities and give shape to the solidarity and the participation of the church in the reconstruction of the country, according to the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result the church started its social development service alongside the process of deepening its spiritual ministry. Relationships of cooperation were established with new partners in Europe and North America as well as in Asia. The work went beyond the church’s own constituency to all people in need and became registered with the government as a separate entity. Today the Church of Bangladesh Social Development Programme (CBSDP) operates projects in different regions of the country, along with relief and rehabilitation activities. All the projects are situated in the rural areas and the activities are being implemented among the poorest sectors in the community, irrespective of religion, caste, etc. The different institutions of the Church of Bangladesh include two hospitals, ten clinics, four nursery and forty-four primary schools, three junior and four senior high schools, two trade schools and a craft centre for girls. The clergy is trained at St Andrew’s Theological College and the church has also a retreat centre.
Founded in 1998. Mission statement: The Kampuchea Christian Council aims at developing fellowship and unity among Christians in Cambodia and carrying out God’s mission, to produce responsible and empowered churches that will pursue abundant and meaningful life for all. Member bodies: Cambodian Baptist Convention Cambodian Church of Christ Cambodian Methodist Church Evangelical Churches French Methodist Church in Cambodia Kampuchea Independent Churches Cambodian Christian Youth Desk Cambodian Christian Women’s Desk CHINA (PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF) Population: 1,306,691,689 Surface area: 9,6 million sq.km Capital: Beijing GNI per capita: 1,100 US$ Classification: Developing economy Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese Religions: Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Protestantism and Catholicism are the officially recognized religions Christianity: Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox China traces its roots as a political and cultural entity back to around 2000 BCE. From the 14th to the 17th century, it was the most advanced civilization on earth. Colonial and civil wars weakened China during the 19th century. In 1911, nationalists instituted the republic. In 1949, communist forces defeated the nationalists and established the People’s Republic of China. Today, China is rapidly developing as a regional power in Asia, and an emerging power on the world scene. The traditional religions of China are Taoism and Buddhism. Christianity has long been a foreign religion with few followers. Under communist rule China became officially an atheist country. As of 1979, churches and other religious groups were Asia
gradually given more space. Delegations of the Protestant churches travelled abroad to re-establish contact with ecumenical partners. In 1948, four Chinese churches were among the founding members of the WCC. They withdrew at the time of the Korean war. Membership was resumed in 1991, by the China Christian Council. Christianity has grown and continues to grow, as do other religions, e.g. Buddhism. Estimates vary widely, from about 22 million Christians (Protestants and Catholics) to over 100 million (i.e. from 1.5 percent to 8.5 percent). The latter would include over 40 million charismatics in house churches, 14 million in unregistered house churches, five million “New Birth” movement, etc. (World Christian Database, 2005); the WCD estimate of Three-Self Christians matches the figure of 16 million of the China Christian Council. Chinese research institutions put the total number at about 65 million. There is a small minority of about 60,000 Chinese Orthodox Christians. China Christian Council Church Family: Post-denominational Membership: 16,000,000 Congregations: 55,000 Provincial Councils: 29 Pastors, Elders and Preachers: 27,000 Member of: WCC (1991) Periodical: Tian Feng (Heaven’s Wind, monthly in Chinese) According to the Nestorian Tablet unearthed in Xi’an, as early as 636 AD the Christian gospel entered China from Persia.However, because Christianity did not become firmly rooted in the soil of Chinese society and culture, it did not come to be widespread in China, and even came close to vanishing at times. In the 19th century Protestant Christianity entered China from the West, but mission activities were protected by unequal treaties and the churches were controlled by foreign missions. As a result, Christianity was generally looked down upon by Chinese people as a foreign religion. In 1949 there were only approximately 700,000 Protestant Christians in China. In 1950, Chinese Protestant Christians initiated the Three-Self Movement, and through the principles of self-governance, self-sup-port and self-propagation, Chinese Christians set out on an independent road to building the church. During the cultural revolution, from 1966 to 1976, churches were closed. However, churches began to re-open in 1979, and in 1980 the China Christian Council (CCC) was established. The churches in China have now entered a post-denominational period. Within the CCC, institutional protestant denominations no longer exist and believers worship together. Differences in theological or liturgical background are dealt with according to the principle of mutual respect. Pastoral work of the Chinese churches has been expanded during the last twenty-five years. More than 55,000 churches and meeting places have been opened, 70 percent of which are newly built. Of the more than 16 million Protestant Christians 70 percent live in the rural areas. Lay training, theological formation and Bible distribution are among the top priorities of the CCC. From 1980 to 2004, 36 million Bibles were printed in China. Social service has developed in recent years. There are currently 18 theological seminaries and Bible schools and some other lay training centres throughout China. The theological institution at the national level, Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, grants M.Th. and M.Div. degrees. Since the China Christian Council was founded, it works closely together with the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China (TSPM) to achieve the full programme of the ministries of Chinese Christianity. Both of them serve to strengthen contacts with provincial, autonomous regional and directly-administered municipal Christian councils (or church councils)/TSPM, through channels of communication, exchange of experience, study and consultation on issues common to its counterparts at these levels. CCC/TSPM is advocating theological reconstruction in the Chinese church to build up theological thinking that is biblically grounded, rooted in Chinese culture, that encapsulates the special experience of the Chinese church, and is able to provide a sound explanation of Christian faith in the modern Chinese contexts. CCC/TSPM has eight commissions (Church Regulations, Theological Education, Bible Publication, Christian Publication, Tian Feng Editorial, Sacred Music, Women’s Ministry, Rural Church Ministry) and eight departments (Training, Publication, Tian Feng Editorial, Research, Social Service, Overseas Relations, Administrative Office and Nanjing Office). In addition, CCC/TSPM has an advisory committee. CHINA (HONG KONG SAR) Population : 6,800,000 Surface area: 1,092 sq.km GNI per capita: 25,860 US$ Classification: Developing economy Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, English Religions: Buddhist 66%; Christian 10%; Muslim 2% Christianity: Catholics 300,000; Protestants 300,000; Anglicans 31,000 Hong Kong was a British protectorate from 1841 when it was ceded to the United Kingdom by China. In 1997, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories on the mainland were returned to Chinese sovereignty, and became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. In this agreement, China promised that, under its “one country, two systems” formula, Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defence affairs for a period of 50 years. Hong Kong has a thriving economy, based on international trade. It contributes to, and benefits from China’s rapidly developing economy. The churches are a minority, but very active in social work and evangelism. Many churches and Christian organizations have significant links with partner churches and agencies in mainland China. There has been renewed commitment to the issue of poverty and the area of education in Hong Kong. About half of the Protestant churches belong to the Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Holiness traditions. For several years now there has been a Metropolitanate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (Eastern Orthodox) in Hong Kong, which covers South East Asia. As an international city, Hong Kong has also many foreign language congregations. The Hong Kong Christian Council is the ecumenical body. Asia
*Hong Kong Christian Council Founded in 1954. Mission statement: To develop fellowship and promote joint projects and activities amongst the various churches and Christian organizations in Hong Kong in order to strengthen their missionary work; to serve as an organization amongst the churches and Christian organizations for the exchange and reconciliation of views on matters of common interest; to be the symbol of Christian unity and continue to promote the ecumenical movement and activities; to show concern and express opinions on issues affecting the religious, moral, economic and social life of the community; to liaise with other regional and world ecumenical bodies. Member churches: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission German-speaking Evangelical Congregation Hong Kong Anglican Church Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China Hong Kong Japanese Christian Fellowship Kowloon Union Church Methodist Church, Hong Kong Methodist Church (English-speaking) Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia Salvation Army Tsung Tsin Mission, Hong Kong Union Church Hong Kong Member organizations: Chinese Christian Literature Council Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong Christian Action Hong Kong Bible Society Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service Hong Kong YWCA Lutheran Theological Seminary YMCA of Hong Kong Related organizations Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital Christian Family Service Centre Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee Hong Kong Christian Service Nethersole School of Nursing Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital United Christian Medical Service Website: www.hkcc.org.hk
Church Family: United and Uniting Membership: 30,000 Congregations: 62 Pastors: 62 Preachers: 93 Member of : WCC (1967) – CCA – HKCC – WARC – WMC – CWM Periodical: Hui Sheng (monthly, in Chinese) Website: http://hkcccc.org The history of the Church of Christ in China can be traced back to 1918 when a group of church leaders in China thought it necessary for the churches to become united and to form an indigenous church organization. The church consists of a national assembly, synods, district associations and local churches. The Hong Kong Council used to be under the jurisdiction of the Sixth District Association of Guangdong Synod. It was re-named the Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China in 1953. Members of the council essentially include those churches, institutions and schools that were originally members of the Sixth District Association located in Hong Kong and Macau. The council became a self-supporting organization in 1974 and proclaimed as a “Three-Self” church in 1980. Its congregations are found in Hong Kong and Macao. The HKCCCC is a uniting church consisting mainly of churches with Congregational and Presbyterian traditions. It emphasizes the universality and unity of the church, and focuses on sharing, witnessing and service. Following the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit, the HKCCCC embraces partnership in mission, joint action for mission, and sharing for mission, which show the council’s willingness to share its human-power, financial resources, and vision with member churches to achieve its objectives of mission and service. The council periodically offers training sessions, retreats, conferences, meditations, seminars, etc., to its young ministers, newly ordained elders and deacons and laypersons. It also supports theological education and places great emphasis on quality of ministries. The council operates 26 secondary schools, three evening schools, 29 primary schools and four nursery schools. Member churches also sponsor one secondary school, five primary schools, and 22 nursery schools. There are a total of some 2,900 teachers and 53,000 students. It also runs three nurseries and two family support service centres. It has also been providing supervision and supporting services to social workers in the schools sponsored by the council. Some member churches also operate nurseries, and centres for youth and the elderly. The council also provides other supporting services such as the publication of Hui Sheng, a monthly journal for internal communication, and the establishment of a webpage. It also sponsors research, and manages homes for retired pastors and women preachers. The council works ecumenically with local churches and church organizations. In addition, it cooperates with both overseas churches and churches in China. There are frequent exchanges and visits with the churches in China.
Population: 23,235,000 Surface area: 35,980 sq.km Capital: Taipei GDP per capita: 25,300 US$ Classification: Developing economy Languages: Mandarin, Taiwanese, English Religions: Chinese folk religion 51%; Buddhist 21%; Taoist 10%; Christian 6% Christianity: Catholics 301,000; Protestants 446,610; Independent 422,831 Taiwan is formed by one large and several small islands off the coast of China. From the 16th through the 19th century, it was part of China, and from 1895 through 1945 it was a colony of Japan called Formosa. It reverted to China after World War II. Following the communist victory on mainland China in 1949, some Asia
two million Nationalist Party Chinese fled to Taiwan and declared a government for all of China based on the constitution of 1946. Since then, the dominant political issue is the relationship between Taiwan and mainland China. The two sides agree that Taiwan is part of China, but disagree on the terms of an – eventual – reunification. A minority movement pleads for independence. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. It has become one of the leading economies of Asia, and economic and cultural relationships with the mainland are growing rapidly. Christianity came to the island in the 17th century but only developed significantly in the 19th and 20th centuries. Taiwan has an indigenous population which is heavily Christian. Besides the Catholic Church and the Presbyterian Church, other large churches are the Little Flock (Evangelical) and the True Jesus Church (Pentecostal). In recent years, other Pentecostal and Charismatic groups have established themselves. The Catholic Church is a member of the national council of churches. National Council of Churches of Taiwan Founded in 1991 (forerunner: the Ecumenical Cooperative Committee of Taiwan, formed in 1966, which replaced the Ecumenical Consultative Committee of Taiwan, created in 1963). Mission statement: The purpose of the Council is to attain unity in Christ, through strengthening the relationship of churches, promoting cooperation in various services, undertaking social welfare, charitable works, and educational matters, proclaiming the Christian message, and participating in the common mission of the church to the world. Member churches: Presbyterian Church in Taiwan Taiwan Episcopal Church Methodist Church in the Republic of China Taiwan Lutheran Church Chinese Regional Bishops Conference Member organizations: Bible Society in Taiwan Christian Audio Visual Association Republic of China Mackay Memorial Hospital Tainan Theological College & Seminary Taipei Christian Academy Taiwan Christian Service Taiwan Theological College & Seminary The Garden of Hope Foundation World Vision Young Women’s Christian Association of Taiwan Young Men’s Christian Association of Taiwan
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