The Centre for the Study of Christianity in Asia (CSCA) was established in October 2001 as the mission research arm of Trinity Theological College. It provides a learning and collaborative environment where church leaders and scholars can articulate their faith positions in the geopolitically and ethnic-religiously plural contexts in the region. It especially supports the governing churches of the College (Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian) in their missional initiatives.
- Centre Personnel
- Research Clusters
- Annual Lecture Series
- FaithSOC Forums
- Mission Study Group
- Publications
- Visiting Fellowship
- Certificate in Mission Studies
- Dr Michael Nai-Chiu Poon, Director & Asian Christianity Coordinator
- Dr Mark Chan, Faith and Society Coordinator
- Mrs Kimhong Hazra, Mission Practice Coordinator
- Mr Kua Wee Seng, Hon. Fellow (China research projects)
- Dr Lee Soo Ann, Hon. Fellow (Economics)
- Judge Richard Magnus, Hon. Fellow (Public Policies)
- Dr Vinoth Ramachandra, Hon. Fellow (Asian Theologies)
- Dr Tan Gee Paw, Hon. Fellow (Public Policies)
- Mrs Judy Lim, Administrator
Our work gathers around three research clusters:
A. Mission Practice, Coordinator: Mrs Kimhong Hazra
To work with the Church in critical reflection on the impact of the Christian mission enterprise in South East Asia. We do this by:
- facilitating the appropriate forums for the exchange of thinking and interaction in learning from our corporate experience in mission practice;
- developing resources for research in mission studies and practice;
- contributing to CSCA writing and publication projects participating in regional and international joint projects on mission studies.
B. Faith and Society, Coordinator: Dr Mark Chan
To facilitate Christian reflection on public issues and to promote responsible Christian engagement in society. We do this by:
- engaging in research that helps Christians understand the society they live in and to integrate the claims of their faith with the demands of the workplace;
- providing educational opportunities for developing a Christian worldview and exploring its multi-faceted outworking;
- equipping Christian leaders to articulate and mediate the holistic and life-transforming reality of the Kingdom of God in the church and the wider society; and
- assisting churches to work together with other faith communities on social issues in Singapore and the region
C. Asian Christianity, Coordinator: Dr Michael Poon
To promote understanding in Southeast Asian Christian histories and theologies by:
- promoting intraregional conversations and exploring new models of collaboration among Christians in the Asia Pacific;
- working collaboratively with the College Library and regional seminary libraries to build up a research-level Singapore-Malaysia Special Collection (Documentation of Christianity in Asia Consortium);
- developing internet resources on history and theology for seminaries and church leaders (http://www.ttc.edu.sg/csca.htm);
- promoting documentation among the governing churches.
The cluster "History and Documentation" was renamed "Asian Christianity" from May 2008, to give greater attention to the theological engagements that emerge from the particular historical contexts in Southeast Asia. The documentation projects under this cluster will gradually come under the College Library, which is developing at the same time into a major theological research library in Southeast Asia.
Every October, CSCA invites an internationally renowned scholar to present a series of three lectures on a contemporary concern in the life and witness of the Church in Asia. The lectures seek to challenge thinking and reflection among Asian Christians about our identity and mission in the world.
The Annual Lectures, with essays by invited respondents are edited and published by the Centre.
FaithSOC forums seek to facilitate theological and missional reflection on trends and issues in society that affect Christian life and ministry. These hour-long luncheon gatherings aim to provide opportunities for the community at Trinity Theological College to grapple with issues arising from the intersection between Christian faith and society. Held in the course of the semester at Trinity Theological College, each forum usually features short presentations by resource speakers on a particular theme, which will then be followed by a time of open discussion. FaithSOC forums are organized by the Faith and Society Cluster.
Mission Study Group is organized by the Mission Practice Cluster. It provides a forum for church leaders and in particular those engaged in mission programmes to reflect theologically with colleagues of various church traditions on issues in mission engagement. The aim is to help each other increase in knowledge and sharpen and deepen in our proclamation of the Gospel in our region and beyond. The group will gather around a prepared paper to be read and discussed. This gathering will hopefully happen three to four times a year.
CSCA publishes the Journal Church and Society in Asia Today. We also work together with ATF Press to produce the Christianity in Asia Series. We also post on-line occasional papers and on-line resources. Refer to the links under CSCA Resources in Mission Studies on our Home Page.
We offer Visiting Fellowships to mission leaders and seminary teachers in the region to come to Trinity Theological College for short term research and writing projects. We also offer a honorary research associate programme to local pastors to encourage them to reflect on their ministerial and mission experience.
CSCA does not offer degree programmes on its own. However, we collaborate with the School of Postgraduate Studies in offering a MTh concentration on Christianity in Asia. Study areas include:
- Religion, State, Public Policy and Society in Southeast Asia
- East and South Asian Church histories
- Documentation studies
- Gospel and culture
- Theological and missiological paradigms
- Southeast Asian church growth
- Mission and cross-cultural ministries in Southeast Asia