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 forum where Christians in Southeast Asia can collaborate in affirming their distinct Christian ethos and articulating their faith positions. We especially support the governing churches of Trinity Theological College (Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Anglican) in their missional initiatives. We also work closely with the wider faculty of Trinity Theological College and seminaries in the region.
Dr Michael Nai-Chiu Poon, Director & Asian Christianity Coordinator
Dr Mark Chan, Faith and Society Coordinator
Mrs Kimhong Hazra, Mission Practice Coordinator
Mr Edmund Chua, Project Manager
Mr Kua Wee Seng, Hon. Fellow (China research projects)
Mr Richard Magnus, Hon. Fellow (Public Policies)
Dr Vinoth Ramachandra, Hon. Fellow (Faith and Society)
Dr Tan Gee Paw, Hon. Fellow (Public Policies)
Dr John Roxborogh (Asian Christianity) (from July 2009)
Research Clusters
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 Forum:
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.
Certificate in Mission Studies:
From November 2007, CSCA and CDCM (the Centre for the Development of Christian Ministries) jointly offer a Certificate in Mission Studies (CMS) intensive residential course. The Certificate in Mission Studies (which is built upon the TTC Certificate in Christian Ministry) will run its first four modules, making up Part I, in June 2009 at TTC. The second set of four modules in Part II will be conducted in May 2010. The two-part CMS is an intensive and basic theological preparation for church workers designated for overseas mission assignments and also for Christians considering cross-cultural ministry.
