6th Assembly: Penang, 1977

Lectures and bible studies revolved around the theme and discussions centred on the theme, ‘Jesus Christ in Asian Suffering and Hope’.

Salient issues raised at the Assembly include:

• The need to develop an Asian theological framework within which Asian Christians may pursue their social tasks creatively and interpret the Asian realities of the present time.
• The role and place of women and youth in churches and in international ecumenical gatherings.
• A greater emphasis on the cultural and religious aspects of our societies in Asia.
• A greater emphasis on the vital role of worship in the nurture of the community of faith.
• The problem of cultural imperialism.
• The need to develop closer relations with minority churches in special situations.
• The need to highlight the central task of appropriating and proclaiming the gospel message.
• The development of more mature ecumenical relations between Asian churches and their overseas partners.

A message from the Assembly profoundly reads:

That people are not to be wasted, people are valuable.

Made in God’s image,

Redeemed by the Christ who died for them,

People have his promise of abundant life, not wasted life.

Therefore, we affirm

That God is a living God, the God of love and acceptance;

That the Spirit of God works with his people in freeing and uniting them;

This is our message.

To share our new life by Word and Action;

To share His lifestyle through style;

To offer His hope by offering ourselves in proclaiming the Gospel;

To share Christ thus is our mission.