Events

A NUS-USPC Collaborative Project on Christian Networks in Southeast Asia

This two-day workshop focused on the historical and contemporary dynamics of Christian networks in Southeast Asia is part of the broader comparative exploration of religious networks in Asia supported by a collaborative grant awarded by NUS and Université Sorbonne Paris-Cité. The main objective of this workshop is to examine how the circulation of clergy, missionaries and educators across the institutions established by Christian churches in the region since the 16th century played a fundamental role in shaping regional networks of communication, education and evangelization.

Although the initial development of these networks was linked to Catholic missionary activity, the arrival of Protestant missionary projects not only introduced new dynamics across the region, it also prompted Catholic religious orders like MEP to reformulate the way in which they approached their work introducing new methods and expanding the scope of their activities. In this context, we are especially interested in the multiple ways in which – since the early 19th century – different Christian denominations have developed their support networks combining Euro-American funding and strategies, along the specific interests and developing identities of the growing local laities and elites.

The workshop will combine contemporary ethnographic approaches with comparative historical research to trace the intertwining of transnational religious networks made possible by Christianity in Southeast Asia. Contributions emphasize how technologies of mobility and networks that enable circulation made possible the historic consolidation of Christian communities across the region, and are currently shaping the future of Christianity in Asia. Turning the research lens toward aspects of mobility and materiality, the workshop aims to offer an innovative and dynamic approach to the study of contemporary Christianity that interrogates conventional models focused on unidirectional flows between center and periphery, reformulating traditional approaches that locate Asia exclusively at the receiving end of Christianity.

An approach to this project from the perspective of religious mobilities highlights patterns of interaction where networks redefine arrangements of economic, social and religious life.

We aim to contest the way in which mission, scripture and pilgrimage have been conceived as the preeminent domains for the study of religious circulation in the context of Christianity, turning the focus to the important role played by schools, orphanages, parishes, hospitals, seminaries and other institution that expanded the far-reaching networks of Christianity in the region. As there is no increase in mobility without extensive systems of immobility, focusing on these institutions in Southeast Asia can offer an original interpretive lens to understand the importance of these nodes for the circulation and teaching of Christianity.

We also wish to explore the impact of digital technology on Christianity and the creation of increasingly networked Christian societies of the 21st Century; as well as the complex financial and real estate arrangements that churches embark on to sustain their projects toward the future.

REGISTRATION

Participation in the closed-door workshop is limited and by invitation only.
Kindly forward all enquiries to Dr Bernardo Brown at bbernardo@icu.ac.jp

CONTACT DETAILS

Convenors

Dr Bernardo BROWN, International Christian University, Japan
E | bbernardo@icu.ac.jp

Dr Shanthini PILLAI, KITA – Institute of Ethnic Studies, National University of Malaysia
E | spillai@ukm.edu.my

Dr Claire Thi Liên TRAN, IRASEC – Research Institute on Contemporary Southeast Asia, Thailand
E | claire.tran@irasec.com