Episcopal Church Renews United Board Membership
Diocesan Press Service. September 15, 1975 [75317]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- In April of this year, the Rt. Rev. Edmond Lee Browning, Executive for National and World Mission of the Episcopal Church Center staff, took steps to renew membership in the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, a relationship which had been discontinued in February, 1970. This action restores the circle of mission agencies from eleven major churches in North America which have worked together through the years for the development of church-related universities or colleges in Asia.
The Rev. Samuel Van Culin, Secretary of World Mission, will serve as the deputy for Bishop Browning in the work of the United Board.
The United Board is an autonomous agency of North American mission boards concerned with higher education. It functions under a charter from the Regents of the University of the State of New York. Beginning in 1932 as the Associated Boards for Christian Colleges in China, it became the United Board in 1945. With the acceptance of responsibility in other parts of Asia, it took the present name in 1945.
The board assumed direct responsibility for Tunghai University in Taiwan in 1955 and assisted with the formation of Chung Che College in Hong Kong in 1951. For a period, on the request of mission sponsors, the United Board maintained a special relationship with these and five other colleges in East and Southeast Asia. Following a three-year experimental program under a joint Asian-American commission with headquarters in Hong Kong, the board's membership has included Asian members and the program has centered on a policy of project grants over a wider area.
Continued is the basic pattern of assistance with funds, underwritten by a wide range of donors and other sources, books and equipment, personnel and consultation. Fellowship grants aid in the development of faculty and staff. Conferences and workshops bring together Asian educators. Visiting lecturers help to broaden the vision of the Christian community in both continents.
In addition to the Episcopal Church, groups from the following churches participate in the United Board: American Baptist Churches in the USA, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Presbyterian Church in the U.S., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., Presbyterian Church in Canada, Reformed Church in America, Lutheran Church in America, United Church of Canada, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist.