Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT)
The Church of Christ in Thailand, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2009, has its origins in Protestant missionary work dating from the early 19th century, mainly by members of the Presbyterian Church in the USA.
By the late 1940's other Protestant groups began to enter Thailand; some of them became affiliated with the CCT, while others did not. By 1976 the CCT had become a completely self-governing Thai church though workers from other countries were still welcome.
Other than a small number of American Baptist and British Churches of Christ congregations, the majority of the founding member churches of CCT were originally Presbyterian congregations though the merger also included Lutherans from the German Marburger Mission.
CCT originally had seven districts, six geographical and one ethnic Chinese. Except for a brief period during World War II, Presbyterian missionary influence remained predominant in CCT until the late-1970's.
However, since 1990, the denomination has experienced a major demographic shift. Tribal churches, mostly Baptist in origin, now account for about half of its total number of roughly 100,000 communicant members.
Today, non-Thais involved with CCT include missionaries from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Korea, Philippines, Japan and Taiwan, with an increasing percentage coming from Asian countries.
CCT represents about half of the total Protestant community in Thailand. Its evangelistic programmes use both the modern media and Thai cultural forms, besides more traditional approaches.
CCT is very involved in society, believing this is an important part of its Christian witness in a predominantly Buddhist country. Thus, CCT runs:
- Two universities
- Two theological seminaries
- Seven hospitals
- A rehabilitation institute for leprosy patients and other physically disadvantaged persons
- Around 30 schools
- A Student Christian Centre
- A ministry for the very young, and the elderly
CCT has played an important role in the development of the musical life of Thailand. Social work is carried out in the slum communities of Bangkok, and agricultural and community development programmes are conducted in rural areas.
The church took the initiative in organising relief work among Cambodian refugees in the 1970's and, in cooperation with other agencies, it still plays a part in the work among refugees, now mainly from neighbouring Myanmar (Burma).
CCT is also involved in HIV/AIDS and child abuse awareness education, and in providing a holistic, caring ministry to both sufferers and their families.
Local congregations support the presbyterian and national structures and ministries of the church. Other income comes by way of contributions from some of the church's institutions. Church government is a relatively centralised mixture of Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ and Baptist churches' traditions.
CCT's wider connections
CCT is a member of a national committee representing all Protestant groups in Thailand and, through its Institute for the Study of Religion and Culture, seeks to foster interreligious understanding and dialogue. CCT is also a member of the World Council of Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia.
Our links with CCT
Our principle involvement with CCT to date has been in providing financial support (over more than 20 years) for the work of the Lamp of Thailand (LOT), which is based in the city of Chiang Mai in NW Thailand [Google map].
LOT produces Christian literature for church leaders, as well as a range of Bible correspondence courses for children and adults which are widely distribution in schools, prisons and remote rural areas.
For part of each year, LOT staff visit congregations, schools, prisons and villages all over Thailand, to promote their work and to enrol more people on LOT's highly valued correspondence courses.
Contact Address
328 Phayathai RoadRatchathevi
Bangkok 10400
THAILAND T: +66 (0)2 214 6000
F: +66 (0)2 214 6010
E: cctecume@loxinfo.co.th
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