Christianity and Politics Training

IL News 016/2015

Cooperation of Batak Karo Protestant Church with Leimena Institute

Sukamakmur, North Sumatera, September 1-3, 2015

Politics is dirty: such an old-fashioned thought! Politics, like other sectors such as social, education business, etc. is area where Christians should exist, and be the salt and light!

Armed with that thought, Batak Karo Protestant Church (GBKP) in cooperation with Leimena Institute organized the Christianity and Politics Training. This training aims to help the participants to understand the meaning of politics in a Christian point of view, so that they can actively involve and contribute in building the nation.

The training was held on September 1-3, 2015, in Sukamakmur, North Sumatra, and attended by 26 participants from various GBKP service unit; such as Youth group (Permata), Atekeleng Foundation, Credit Union, Women’s group, etc. This is aimed so that the concept of Christianity and Politics can be understood and put into practice in each of their area of ministry.

Paul Marshall, Budi Setiamarga, Matius Ho, and Puansari Siregar from Institut Leimena assisted the participants to understand the meaning of Christianity and Politics. Several topics presented were “the Gospel and Politics”, “Pastors and Politics”, “the Idea of Indonesia in the 1945 Constitution”, and “Politics and Christian Faith through the life of Johannes Leimena”. Every session included a group discussion for the participants to express their opinion. Thus, the participants are able to understand the topics and relate it to their daily life context.

This training was closed with proposed action plans by each unit service. The session was led by Rosmalia Barus, Head of Diakonia GBKP Synode.  She directed the groups to develop various activities, including the scheduling and the financing such that there will be a harmony in these various activities. Through this session, the follow up process for this training was carefully planned.

Hopefully the concept of Christianity and Politics can be understood by the participants, and will be used in designing future plans in order to be the salt and light in the political world!

“This training reminds us again about the values of nationhood, that we have to admit, have been degraded recently. I also got to learn the thoughts of Johannes Leimena.” (Rev. Sinar Barus, M.Th)

“It reminds me again about the church as a congregation and an institution that is not to be antipathic or dualistic toward politics. It also reminds servants of God to go back to do their responsibility to the State in the area of politics.” (Rev. Endang Barus)

“It raises the spirit of nationhood in serving the nation. It encourages me to understand more about the Constitution and to take part in ensuring the wellfare of the people.” (Rev. Jean Pelenkahu)