Sponsored by

the Centre for the Study of Christianity in Asia, Trinity Theological College, Singapore

and Areopagos, Denmark

Churches in Asia share rich religious heritages which overlap in a number of ways. But in recent times, countries in the regions of East, Southeast and South Asia have suffered social upheavals wreaked by natural disasters. Some have endured open conflicts that are both religious and ethnic based. Unresolved historical disputes among some nations on issues of land, honour and identity have also resurfaced. Furthermore in the context of the Asian experience, today's globalised economic and political contexts have introduced fresh layers of opportunities and challenges to these issues.

What are the theological reflections of these churches on partnership in mission given their present-day realities? How do they bear witness to the Christian message of peace and reconciliation to their historically and politically estranged neighbours?

This Symposium aims to gather national church leaders and missiologists from the following regions to share their experiences and concerns about cooperation and partnership in mission and how that has shaped their practice of mission, and to explore concrete ways churches can collaborate in mission within the Asian context:

There are two focal questions:

Through these conversations, we hope to identify shared issues, and formulate an agenda for further dialogue in discovering the potential and possibilities in mission partnership within the vast continent of Asia.  We aim to publish our findings, and share them with the Towards 2010 initiatives.