CHRISTIANS IN ASIA

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31985, 12 May 1969, Page 12

CHRISTIANS IN ASIA

More Vitality Noted There was a tendency to wards passive spectator Chris tianity in many Westerr countries, Mr M. Griffiths field director designate oi the Overseas Missionary Fel lowship. said yesterday. Mr Griffiths, who is basec in Singapore and is tht author of several books or Christian evangelism, Chris tian living and missionary strategy, is in Christchurel for the conference of th< New Zealand Inter-Varsitj Fellowship of Evangelica, Unions at which he is on< of the main speakers. Christianity in Asia mean active involvement and parti cipation, he said. “Everything is against t person becoming a Christlar in many parts of Asia—som« who have taken the step have been ostracised by their fam ilies and former. friends, and some have even had to shift* he said. “This gives a sense of vit ality which is sometimes lack ing in countries which have older contacts with Chris tianity.” said Mr Griffiths'. “In these countries one tends to get passive spectatoi Christianity where the people go to a ‘service’ as spectator: at a football match, watch t religious professional per form and then criticise,” he said. Converts to Christianitj more often came from the towns than country areas anc the Chinese more readily be came Christians than the Thais did, Mr Griffiths said Leprosy patients were gener ally far more responsive t< Christian teaching that others.