“We affirm that our ministry of prophesying, reconciling and healing is
imperative in creating sanctuaries of life for all,
as manifestation of God’s hospitality which is God’s heart that is open for all to
reside in the promise of life”
(Statement of the Asian Church Leaders Theological Consultation, Taiwan 2012)
In many ways, the affirmation as quoted above, captures the experience of the CCM in the year under review.
HIGHLIGHTS
1. THE CCM BUILDING PROJECT
With a sense of deep gratitude to God, we have reached the final phase of our building project. Except for a few unavoidable delays, it is now clear that the CCM administration will occupy the building by the beginning of 2013.
The new Ecumenical Center will indeed create a “ sanctuary of life”, where those who are drawn to our building will experience the gracious and loving hospitality of God, as they engage in prayer, worship, fellowship, witness, service and outreach through witness, service and reaching out through the ministries of our Council.
On 23rd April, 2013, the building will be dedicated to the glory of God. We shall be joined by church leaders, donors, prominent leaders and ecumenical guests from different parts of the world.
With God’s help we hope to raise another two million ringgit by the end of this year, in order to meet our twelve million ringgit target.
2. THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER (WDP)
The WDP with its focus on Malaysia was observed throughout the world this year ( March) Ecumenical worship services were held under the theme, “Let Justice Prevail” , following a liturgy and intercessions drafted by our women church leaders. The WDP provided the global Christian family a prayerful insight into the life and witness of the churches in our country where justice and peace issues matter.
3. THE “PENANG DOCUMENT” On Ecclesiology
The CCM was privileged to host the meeting of the Standing Commission of Faith and Order in Penang in June. Being the most comprehensive ecumenical forum of the global Christian confessional traditions. Its work is to resolve ‘outstanding” doctrinal issues that still divide the churches.
There was a historic moment when members of the Commission agreed to a “consensus document” entitled: “ The Nature and Mission of the Church.” This text is only the second “consensus text” after the theologically significant, “ Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry” document. It will carry the subtitle, “The Penang Document”, and will go down in history remembering the place where the decision was reached after over fifty years of study. CCM offered the ecumenical gathering a gracious welcome and introduced their work to the churches and seminaries in Penang.
4. THE INDIGENOUS PASTOR’S CONFERENCE (HEBI)
CCM continues to focus on leadership development among the indigenous churches of our country. The conference (August) brought together over 100 leaders from different churches. Representing the poorest sector of Malaysian society, they discerned the role of their churches in working for the well-being of their people. They see the platform CCM provides as an instrument in raising and addressing their concerns.
5. THE JUBILEE NATIONAL DAY PRAYER (JNDP)
The CCM Youth were instrumental in organizing the JNDP rally ( September) that connected with other churches nationwide, to pray and manifest God’s desire for Jubilee as envisaged in Leviticus 25
Just as the early churches found inspiration n Joel’s prophetic utterance; “…and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams, …” (Acts 2: 17), CCM youth brought to prayerful articulation the vision they had for the country and their future. “We have a Voice”, they proclaimed, and it is a voice of “restoration and renewal in the Spirit of God’s Jubilee” commandment.
The Heads of Churches welcomed the youth’s contribution to ecumenical life and committed them to play a central role in such future events.
CCM continues to play its effective role in being an instrument of the churches to address national issues and other ecumenical concerns. It seeks to “uphold the truth in love” finding ways to be effective ambassadors of Christ in the ministry of justice, peace and reconciliation in our nation and beyond.
GROWING FELLOWSHIP
1.Heads of Churches Retreat was held from 10-12th January at Copthorne Orchid Hotel, Penang.
2.Interserve Thanksgiving Service was held on 8th January. The GS gave greetings on behalf of CCM.
3.CCM Women’s Fund Raising Dinner was held on 18th February at Crystal Palace Restaurant, Sentul. Around 300 women attended the dinner.
4.The World Day of Prayer service was held on 3rd March at Wesley Methodist Church, K.L. Around 600 people were present.
5.Indigenous Pastor’s School was held from 4th -7th September 2012 at Sibu, Sarawak It was organized by Hebi and hosted by SIAC. Around 80 pastors and church workers attended the conference. Bishop Thomas Tsen and Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri attended the conference.
6.National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving Prayer Rally was held on 16th September 2012 at Stadium Malawati from 3pm-7pm. Around 2000 people attended the rally organized by the CCM Youth.
DISCERNING BODY
1.Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Intergrasi Nasional (JPNIN) meeting was held on 9th January & 5th March whereby Dr. Hermen Shastri is the Co- chairman.
2.In view of Interfaith Harmony Week the Prime Minister hosted a lunch for all religious leaders of the various faiths. It was held at Putrajaya on 15th February.
3.Roundtable Discussion: World Interfaith Harmony Week: Towards Religious and Intercultural Understanding organized by IAIS Malaysia was held on 27th February 2012 at Intan Wilayah Tengah. The GS represented CCM/ MCCBCHST.
4.Muslim-Christian Solidarity on Palestine Seminar organized by JUST International from 14-15th May 2012 at K.Lumpur. GS was one of the speakers.
5.Inaugural Global Moderation Roundtable was held on 2nd July 2012 whereby Dr. Hermen Shastri was invited to attend at the Office of Global Movement of Moderates.
6.Coalition of Malaysian NGOs in the UPR Process (COMANGO) Workshop International Mechanisms: UPR, UNHCR and ASEAN 17-18 July 2012 at Crystal Crown Hotel PJ.
7.Meeting of the Jawatankuasa Mempromosikan Persefahaman dan Keharmonian diantara Penganut Agama (JKMPKA) was held on 3rd April, 3rd July, 2nd October 2012 where the GS is the Co Chairman of the Committee.
CCM PRESS STATEMENT
1.CCM Youth Press Statement on World Day of Prayer 2012 – “ Christians around the World Pray for Malaysia” 3rd March 2012.
2.CCM Youth Press Statement on “ Consult the Christian Community as Stakeholders in the Education Review Panel: SPM Bible Knowledge must be Bilingual. 2nd March 2012
3.CCM response to Muslim reaction to inflammatory videoclip on Prophet Muhammad 19th September 2012.
4.Comments of Church leaders that appeared in Utusan Mingguan – 7th October 2012
CFM PRESS STATEMENTS
1.CFM strongly protested the provocative seminar on the unfounded Christian threat to Muslims – 30th March 2012
2.CFM Media Statement – Revoke ISA Orders 17th April 2012
3.Vote Wisely – 18th July 2012
4.Invest in the Future of Malaysia – Merdeka and Malaysia Day Statement – 27th August 2012
MCCBCHST PRESS STATEMENTS
1.MCCBCHST – Mr. Prime Minister Sir Time To Walk Your Talk – 30th March 2012
2.MCCBCHST – We support Constitutional Provision regarding Islam – 6th April 2012
3.Protest Ethically: Respect our Diversity and Harmony – 1st June 2012
4.Resolution taken at the 30th Annual General Meeting held on 12th September 2012 on Corruption and Crime that has deteriorated at an alarming rate.
Kindly click here to download the CCM Annual Report 2012
