Message to the Churches

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The 12th Triennial General Assembly of the Council of Churches of Malaysia took place in Pulai Springs Resort, near Johor Bahru, from 23 to 26 April 2007.  91 people comprising delegates, fraternal guests and observers attended the Assembly.

The Assembly also provided the opportunity for the Council to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

On the theme: "United to build and to be a blessing," (1 Cor. 3:10-11), Bishop Duleep de Chickera from Sri Lanka spoke of the many dimensions of Christian Unity, drawing on examples of the Apostolic period in church history. "The test of real Christian unity is how churches deal with conflict, and how various communities are transformed in order that they may become transforming agents in society," he emphasized.  CCM can only become relevant when it empowers churches to seek transformative relationships with one another, and so united, CCM can build itself and be a blessing to the nation.

In the Presidential Address, Tan Sri Bishop Dr Lim Cheng Ean challenged all the member churches and associated organisations to pool their resources together and make the CCM Building Project a success.  After sixty years of existence, the time has come for CCM to leave a legacy for the next generation.

With the advent of a new generation of leaders representing the different member churches, it was evident during the Assembly that the new leaders were prepared to affirm as in the words of Paul; "According to the grace of God given to men, like a skilled master builder, I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. ...For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 3:10-11)

At the Assembly the member churches and associated Christian organisations found common resolve to materialise the building project through faith, prayers and the common sharing of financial resources.

The deliberations of the Assembly were enriched by the following: Speech by Tan Sri Dompok at the 60th Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner; the report of the General Secretary; the talk on 'Responding to the Challenges for Quality Education: The Church's Role,' by Dr Tarcisius Chin; and the panel discussion on "The future role of CCM," by Bishop Dr Hwa Yung, Mr Anthony Row and Ms Chrisanne Chin.

In all the discussions, the delegates were inspired to view CCM as a relevant instrument calling the Churches to discern and act together to make a difference in our nation.  Issues like religious freedom; new ventures of quality education through Christian private schools and colleges; prophetic witness; and expanding the horizons of Christian unity in the country were energetically discussed.  The Assembly resolved to strengthen CCM's leadership in all these areas in the new triennium.

Special emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen ecumenical formation among youth and to make an assessment of the current structure and financial needs of the Council with the view of prioritising the Council's work.  To this end, the Assembly decided to form a Strategic Planning Task Force.

Meeting in Johor offered the church leaders an opportunity to get acquainted and share in the witness of the churches in the state.  The Assembly commended churches for the ecumenical spirit shown in responding with great compassion and service to those communities affected by the recent floods.

At the closing worship service the new officers of the Council were installed and together with the delegates, they affirmed, "We renew our pledge to live and witness to the unity of the body of Christ; to engage in mission in the way of Christ; and to build up the CCM that by its united witness and service, it shall become the effective voice and instrument expressing and fulfilling the will of God in our nation."

Amidst the many challenges of a fast developing nation, the Assembly calls upon the churches to rally in support of CCM, through their prayers, financial support and active participation.

In gratitude to God for sixty years of faithfulness, the Assembly now looks to the future with great expectation that God will raise us up in unity so that we can confidently build and be a blessing in our nation.

Delegates of the 12th Triennial General Assembly
25th April 2007